LA LI switch on Progressive Dynamics P4500 Series

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

Went searching today, to see if my converter can handle/be set for lithium batteries. 2022 Jay Feather 22rb

I looked though the bag with all the different documentation for all the components throughout the trailer. I didn't find any documentation from any company.

So, I went looking. Took a photo of the labels inside the box. Pretty much got my answer right away when I read (for the first time) the sticker on the outside of the box. -Hey, it is near the floor, I am nearly 58 y/o and my eyesight is crap.

Sticker reads how there's a simple 'switch' to change from lead acid to lithium. I'm like: COOL! . I open the door, check out the panel...search for a slide switch of sorts...nothing. I'm ground level on the floor, in the shadows, so I decide to take photos to look at in the comfort of my home, on the 27" monitor. Still, nothing.

I fond the manufacturer website and find the manual for my unit. The toggle is tiny and it is on the actual circuit board. I would assume the faceplate comes off this thing?

I don't get my battery until Friday. I know to disconnect all power shore/battery before messing with it.

Anyone who's done this on this particular unit or knows what I am talking about, do you have any advice?

 

[ARoamer]

It looks to me you just push the tiny switch up for lithium!
I use a app for my android phone called "reading glasses" that lets me see tiny things, it may be useful for you.

 

[Learjet]

you should be able to reach in through the cut out...bright light, glasses, plastic tool, slide switch up...open beer.

 

[Rodney27505]

It looks to me you just push the tiny switch up for lithium!
I use a app for my android phone called "reading glasses" that lets me see tiny things, it may be useful for you.

Exactly right, you just need to slide up the tiny white DIP switch beside LI LA with a small screwdriver.

X2 on the phone, I use the zoom on the camera for stuff like this all of the time

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

you should be able to reach in through the cut out...bright light, glasses, plastic tool, slide switch up...open beer.

You guys are killing me.

The photos of the exposed circuit board are from the website. I'm assuming...b/c I've not looked that hard, that there's just a couple screws holding the fuse/breaker cover faceplate on?

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

you should be able to reach in through the cut out...bright light, glasses, plastic tool, slide switch up...open beer.

Exactly right, you just need to slide up the tiny white DIP switch beside LI LA with a small screwdriver.

X2 on the phone, I use the zoom on the camera for stuff like this all of the time

Funny, I used to use my phone with the magnifier app. Problem is I've dropped it so many times, the regular sense camera has stopped working and is all blurry. Sometimes the wide angle camera kicks in and works, but that's useless. I'll have to get myself a super bright light and a pillow for the floor.

Thank you!

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

you should be able to reach in through the cut out...bright light, glasses, plastic tool, slide switch up...open beer.

This is my panel. Looks to be just under the cover next to those red wires.

 

[Learjet]

cut out to the right of red wires has a button you can press to put it in boost mode...switch should be near button.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

cut out to the right of red wires has a button you can press to put it in boost mode...switch should be near button.

OK, took a closer look, went inside, waaaaay down to the floor. Your're right- that little square cut-out exposes the switch. Thanks!!! Wearing glasses is a PIA because when you have to turn your head sideways, often your sight becomes distorted due to looking sort-of sideways through the lenses.

 

[Learjet]

OK, took a closer look, went inside, waaaaay down to the floor. Your're right- that little square cut-out exposes the switch. Thanks!!! Wearing glasses is a PIA because when you have to turn your head sideways, often your sight becomes distorted due to looking sort-of sideways through the lenses.

I know, I have progressive lenses...something like this straight strong reading glasses are better.

 

[Sanford Fl camper]

Contact Progressive on the internet. My 4500 did not have a switch to change from
Lead acid to lithium. They sent me a jumper and now the converter will charge the Li batteries

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

Learjet, Thanks for the tip! I've always only had progressives (since needing readers) but never went straight reader, only b/c I've require glasses all the time/all my life. But now I understand, for work like this, I might need a separate pair. You don't know how many times I've tried to do side lying work and can't see due to the distortion, never realizing the option of 'straight readers.'

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

Contact Progressive on the internet. My 4500 did not have a switch to change from
Lead acid to lithium. They sent me a jumper and now the converter will charge the Li batteries

Sanford: No need, I have the switch. Found it just inside a tiny cut-out on the panel. Will be making the switch on Friday, when my battery arrives. Thanks.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

Got my battery, put it on trickle charge for 3 days. Got it up to 'full.' Took old lead acid off, accessed that tiny little dip switch on the panel and switch it from "LA" to "LI" Put new 100Ah lithium on the tongue. System appears to have had no problem. Looks to be at 14.6 "FULL" on my charge controller.

 

[colby-JAY]

That's great, glad it all worked out well.

 

[F350guy-JAY]

Look at your battery manual for what voltage is considered a full charge. My Renogy is 13.6. 14.6 is the boost mode on my PowerMax converter until the battery reaches full charge. Then it goes into maintenance mode to keep it at 13.6.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

Yup, dropped to 13.6 at some point.

 

[F350guy-JAY]

When I installed my lithium battery in March I looked and looked for that switch on my converter panel. I never could find it. I don't think I would have used it anyway as the manual on my Progressive Dynamics converter says it provides a constant 14.6 charge, which Renogy says is not what they want.

So, I bought a PowerMax charger with a 2 stage lithium setting as recommended by Renogy. It worked to get the battery to it's 100% charge of 13.6 just fine but when the battery started going down it would not come back on. I called PowerMax and they sent me a new one thinking there must be something wrong with it. Installed the new one but had the same issue. It would get the battery to full charge but not come back on when needed. I checked it on Monday and my battery was down to 12.9 volts, which is only 30% charge according the Renogy manual. If I turn the power off to the PowerMax it will come back on and charge the battery but that's it. Another call to PM and I was told I would need to set it to a single charge rate and not use the lithium setting. Something to do with it not playing well with the BMS in the Renogy. I could do that with the my original charger, if I could find the switch.

I'm returning the PowerMax and have ordered a Victron Phoenix charger which is completely configurable to whatever I want it to do. A lot more expensive but at this point I'm kind of numb to the costs. I just want it to work. No point to this post other than just recounting what I experienced converting to lithium. It works great though, except for the charging part.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

Thanks for sharing that. It'll help someone else who might be searching and considering the PowerMax, some day.

 

[colby-JAY]

I'm returning the PowerMax and have ordered a Victron Phoenix charger which is completely configurable to whatever I want it to do. A lot more expensive but at this point I'm kind of numb to the costs. I just want it to work. No point to this post other than just recounting what I experienced converting to lithium. It works great though, except for the charging part.

This is one of the reasons I am planning my system with Victron components. Almost all of the big YouTube channels that deal with solar (either off grid or on RVs) all show Victron components being used. They are expensive, but they work, and they work together in some really cool ways once they are networked.