Lithium Plunge

[AlexG.]

First off, we have a 2023 Precept 36C. So I've(Fran doesn't care as long as there is power) been contemplating this for over a year (cause I boondock) but I finally took the plunge to upgrade the house batteries to lithium. I got 2 yes 2 LiPro4 Bluetooth 100amphour batteries for a tad over $350 total. I figured out that my installed converter/charger DID have the LA/LI switch, so I didn't have to replace the charger. "Major Bonus"!
It was actually easy as heck besides lifting those heavy azz batteries out of the tray and placing the new lithium ones in. I used trimmed pool noodles to secure the edges of the new batteries in the tray. I connected them to supply 12vdc with 200AMPH and so far so good. Tomorrow, I'll disconnect from shore power and see how long it lasts... My big test will be/is going to Eldora or the Kings Royal and testing the abilities of a rig there. Cheers Ya'll

 

[AlexG.]

So, it seems to have paid off. Ran it today off the pedestal in normal boondocking setup (refrig and outside stereo/tv playing) for a 3hrs. The inverter never kicked off for low voltage or high current. Battery percentage dropped to 95%. Happy camper so far.

 

[AlexG.]

So, note to self, not everything is as easy as it seems. After a member commented on my FB post about my new batteries, he clued me in about needing to replace the installed stock BIM with a Li-BIM. I did know I had a BIM installed, but I didn't realize that the Li-BIM cycled to reduce stress on the alternator. Live and learn and best to learn before our first trip. Thanks Gary C. on FB.

 

[AlexG.]

Got my Li-BIM 225 Today. Easy swap except for the tight space cause. I didn't want to disconnect and remove the batteries.

 

[Tadsher]

You need to replace the bus bars on the battery terminals with copper wire of the correct gauge. The batteries will slightly move as you travel and the battery terminals will break off the batteries. Bus bars are great when used correctly but can be a problem when not.

 

[AlexG.]

You need to replace the bus bars on the battery terminals with copper wire of the correct gauge. The batteries will slightly move as you travel and the battery terminals will break off the batteries. Bus bars are great when used correctly but can be a problem when not.

Noted, thanks

 

[AlexG.]

So now that I have a stabile supply during disconnected times I tested all the outlets to determine which ones actually had power supplied by the inverter. Counting the inside TV's there are 9.
2 in the cockpit
2 above the recliners
2 in the dinette area
1 above the bed inside the cubbard
and 2 for the TV's

 

[AlexG.]

Also, I stopped using the XiaoXioang BMS app that the battery company uses and switched to the OverKillSolar app. It interfaces well with the batteries and performs all the same functions. The OKS will automatically update when they publish an update while the XXBMS will not. Plus, all the XXBMS functionality isn't selectable in the app. The only downside (and this is with both the apps) is since the batteries have independent/individual installed BMS's, the batteries appear independently in the APP. 2 100amphour batteries in parallel cannot be configured to be displayed as 1 200amphour battery. I emailed OKS and asked, they confirmed.

 

[TraceyC]

First off, we have a 2023 Precept 36C. So I've(Fran doesn't care as long as there is power) been contemplating this for over a year (cause I boondock) but I finally took the plunge to upgrade the house batteries to lithium. I got 2 yes 2 LiPro4 Bluetooth 100amphour batteries for a tad over $350 total. I figured out that my installed converter/charger DID have the LA/LI switch, so I didn't have to replace the charger. "Major Bonus"!
It was actually easy as heck besides lifting those heavy azz batteries out of the tray and placing the new lithium ones in. I used trimmed pool noodles to secure the edges of the new batteries in the tray. I connected them to supply 12vdc with 200AMPH and so far so good. Tomorrow, I'll disconnect from shore power and see how long it lasts... My big test will be/is going to Eldora or the Kings Royal and testing the abilities of a rig there. Cheers Ya'll

So I have a question, did you have to change any settings in the charge controller when you put in the lifpo4 batteries. If yes can you explain how to do that. Thank you in advance, Tracey

 

[AlexG.]

So I have a question, did you have to change any settings in the charge controller when you put in the lifpo4 batteries. If yes can you explain how to do that. Thank you in advance, Tracey

Yes, you need to change the switch to Li vs La and you need to go into the firefly and change the settings to indicate lithium and the size of your battery.

 

[TraceyC]

Yes, you need to change the switch to Li vs La and you need to go into the firefly and change the settings to indicate lithium and the size of your battery.

Thank you so much. We've been trying to research this and couldn't find anything specific about changing the settings. We kind of came to the conclusion that it was just those two things, and you confirmed that that's all you needed to do. We've just purchased two 12 volt 280amph lifepo4 batteries and are going to do the swap out.
Again thank you,
Tracey

 

[TraceyC]

So, note to self, not everything is as easy as it seems. After a member commented on my FB post about my new batteries, he clued me in about needing to replace the installed stock BIM with a Li-BIM. I did know I had a BIM installed, but I didn't realize that the Li-BIM cycled to reduce stress on the alternator. Live and learn and best to learn before our first trip. Thanks Gary C. on FB.

Hi it's me again. What is the BIM or Li BIM? Is that something you replaced and if so where did you get it, was it difficult to replace? Sorry for all the questions, but we just aren't finding the information we need online.

Thank you,
Tracey

 

[AlexG.]

Yes, you need to change the switch to Li vs La and you need to go into the firefly and change the settings to indicate lithium and the size of your battery.

Hi it's me again. What is the BIM or Li BIM? Is that something you replaced and if so where did you get it, was it difficult to replace? Sorry for all the questions, but we just aren't finding the information we need online.

Thank you,
Tracey

The LiBIM (lithium battery isolation Management) isolates the battereis from the alternator so the alternator doesnt overwork and burn out. It'll allow the alternator to charge the batteries and isolate them for a period of time. I got it from amazon. On my 36C it was mounted on the rear wall next to the batteries closest to centerline.