Moving to LiFePO4 Battery

[edmikeca]

Hello, I have read a few posts here and other articles, however I still don’t have a clear picture…

Most common opinion is that ideally, you have to replace old converter (I have really old one) with a new one to accommodate higher voltage required to charge LiFePO4 battery. And here is where I get confused… My understanding is that a new converter will also provide higher voltage to all appliances like water pump, fridge, furnace, lights and etc. Am I correct or wrong on my assumption?

Is it going to damage or shorten the life of my appliances?

Alternatively, I can probably use existing converter for appliances and run another converter/charger in parallels for batteries only… to be on the safe side…

Or I can go really fancy any install something like invertor-charger (Victron Energy MultiPlus-II 2X 120V, 3000VA 12-Volt Pure Sine Wave Inverter and 120 amp Battery Charger : Amazon.ca: Automotive)… it probably would be the most expensive solution… but it brings me be back to my first question about higher voltage.

I really would appreciate recommendations/thoughts/suggestions to better understand where I’m getting myself into before spending too much money… especially if someone has already done this…

Thanks.

P.S. On the side note. If anyone has wiring diagram for Jayco 2006 Jay tent trailer I would really appreciate posting it here.

 

[craigav]

The voltage output of a converter set to LifePo4 is generally no more than 1 volt higher and will not damage your 12v lights and appliances.

However, it is a myth that a special converter designed for LifePo4 batteries is "required". Many including myself have a standard converter and everything still works very well. The advantage of a LifePo4 converter is more about the faster charging and that in the same time frame a non-lifepo4 converter may not bring the battery up to 100% (although with time it will). There is no requirement that a LifePo4 battery needs to be or has to be charged to 100% in fact many report that it is best not to do so for the overall longevity of the battery although I doubt that it does add much if any life, in any case maintaining a 100% charge is not a requirement nor recommended by many.

Point being, just purchase and drop in a LifePo4 battery (or two) and anything more that you do is not really required but certainly could provide benefits such as a faster battery recharge time. ~CA

 

[billcf7]

Check your convertor, it may have a LI switch depending on the age. A regular convertor designed for lead acid batteries will only charge a LI battery to 80 %. A solar panel will achieve what a new convertor will set at 14.4-14.6 volts charging. Also some LI batteries require charging to 100 % to balance the cells internally, if not damage occurs eventually

 

[johneliot]

I agree to a point. A regular battery charger will not fully charge a LiFePo battery. But I don’t agree that using a charger meant for LA batteries will do no harm to a LiFePo battery. The question will become, how much will it effect the battery over time? Read up on it and make your decision. What you could do instead of changing out your converter is to buy a folding solar panel and hook that to you battery via the included battery clips. If you are hooked into shore power then remove the negative wire on the batter or install a cut off switch. Probable cheaper that a new converter. I have a nice folding 100 watt panel from Renogy. Comes with a battery connection and a charge controller.

 

[Jayhawk 29]

I agree to a point. A regular battery charger will not fully charge a LiFePo battery. But I disagree in that it is not good for the battery, and it will not charge it fully over time. The question will become, how much will it effect the battery over time? Read up on it and make your decision. What you could do instead of changing out your converter is to buy a folding solar panel and hook that to you battery via the included battery clips. If you are hooked into shore power then remove the negative wire on the batter or install a cut off switch. Probable cheaper that a new converter. I have a nice folding 100 watt panel from Renogy.

If you have a solar panel rigged on your rv, then its not advisable to remove the battery terminals with the solar panel hooked to your on board controller. If you wish to turn on your on board converter, just turn the breaker off on the 100 side of your electrical panel.

 

[edmikeca]

I don't have a solar panels and honestly I didn't plan to buy them... I just wanted to start with something simple like replacing acid batteries with LifePO without doing to much rewiring... and hope that I can survive 3-5-7 days on the battery power without using my generator... But maybe getting solar panels not a bad idea... It's just my understanding that I will need at least 200 wats solar panels and even then they should have full sun to get a decent charge...

 

[johneliot]

My point above was to disconnect the battery if you are on shore power. Even if you do that you can still have the solar panel hooked to your battery. All you’re doing is isolating the battery from the shore power as you use the panel. If you’re not on shore power then you wouldn’t need to disconnect your battery.
How much you need will depend on what you have in your trailer. I only have lights and charging sockets. With my panel and a 100 amp LiFePo battery, I’m fine. They do make a 200 watt folding panel.

200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase

Renogy 200 Watt monocrystalline foldable solar suitcase is perfect for the adventurous traveler, Renogy is providing 200w portable foldable solar panel, 200 watt solar folding panel kit, monocrystalline solar panel suitcase, 20 amp pwm waterproof solar charge controller for rv, camping , and home.

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[edmikeca]

My point above was to disconnect the battery if you are on shore power. Even if you do that you can still have the solar panel hooked to your battery. All you’re doing is isolating the battery from the shore power as you use the panel. If you’re not on shore power then you wouldn’t need to disconnect your battery.
How much you need will depend on what you have in your trailer. I only have lights and charging sockets. With my panel and a 100 amp LiFePo battery, I’m fine. They do make a 200 watt folding panel.

200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase

Renogy 200 Watt monocrystalline foldable solar suitcase is perfect for the adventurous traveler, Renogy is providing 200w portable foldable solar panel, 200 watt solar folding panel kit, monocrystalline solar panel suitcase, 20 amp pwm waterproof solar charge controller for rv, camping , and home.

www.renogy.com

Ok, I got your point. I think this is something can be easily done... Thanks.

 

[Tadsher]

I use the original lead acid battery (FLA) converter/charger to charge my LifePO4 batteries and have not had any problems, there are a lot of people that feel that a LI converter/charger will actually damage the LifePO4 battery. Depending on the brand of LifePO4 battery the charge voltage can vary and using the slightly lower voltage of the FLA converter/charger will not damage anything and could help give the LifePO4 a little longer life.