Upgrading our RV BATTERY from LEAD ACID to LITHIUM with a LiTime Battery #lithium #battery

*Get 4% off your purchase with discount code: PPA4*
Click the link below to order a *LiTime 12V230Ah Plus LiFePO4 Battery*:
*Available For All Products, Limited Time Offer*

Click the LiTime official website link below to learn more and take advantage of these incredible deals!
#litime #litimepower #PowerUpWithLiTime

In this video we attempt to upgrade our RV lead acid battery to a Lithium battery from LiTime! There are a few things to note when upgrading an existing electrical system to lithium. Watch and find out what we had to do to make it work for our RV!

*TO SEE MORE OF OUR CONTAINER HOUSE BUILD, CHECK OUT THIS PLAYLIST:*
This playlist starts from the very beginning of our project!

*Don't forget to check out our website and store:*
We have PDF plans of details of our container house and all proceeds help support the channel!

*SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES:*

*Buy us a coffee to support the channel!*

#battery #lithium #lithiumbattery #rv #rvlife #rvupgrades #travel #roadtrip #lithiumion #lifepo4battery #vanlife #ontheroad #roadlife #pacificpinesranch #installation #batteries #batterycharger #offgrid #offgridliving

[SuperSushidog]

We just found your channel and subscribed. Those LI time 230ah batteries are very affordable for such a big battery with a decent sizes BMS. Five years ago, we retired, sold everything and went FT. It was the best decision we ever made. We discovered we love boondocking and quickly learned the advantages of solar. We built a 620-watt solar array on the side of our motorhome. We lift it to the optimal angle to boost its output 25-30% vs flat mounted panels, especially in the winter. It makes a nice bedroom window awning too, practically lifting itself with a couple gas struts, and it's easy to clean, standing safely on the ground.

About a year ago we replaced our old worn-out lead acid golf cart batteries with a LiFePo-4 battery that we built with 8, 280ah prismatic cells. We use a Heltec 330amp (1, 200a surge) BMS with a 5a active balancer to keep the cells synched up. We needed a 300+amp BMS to start the 5, 500w generator on our motorhome. It cost us less than $1, 500 to build this 560ah 12v, 7.1Kwh battery including the high amp BMS. For comparison, it's the same capacity as 2, Li Time 230ah batteries plus another 100ah lithium battery, but with about the same footprint of 2 GC-2 batteries like you had. We chose these cells rather than a pre-built battery, because they fit perfectly under the steps of our MH where our old pair of GC-2 golf cart batteries used to reside, similar to your set-up. We insulated the battery compartment, cut a 1" hole in our step risers and installed a tiny computer CPU fan to keep this space at close to room temperature, so we don't have to worry about the BMS shutting down charging if they get too cold - or their life reduced from getting too hot. It looks like you have plenty of room inside your battery box to insulate yours if you want to. We use an 80A Progressive Dynamics LFP converter/charger, a 1, 000w Renogy inverter, an Epever 50a MPPT charge controller and a Lnex battery monitor. This entire 12v system cost us under $3, 500 to build and takes care of all of our basic off-grid needs except for air conditioning and microwave use.

Take care, we hope to see you down the road!

[charleneschmidt]

We are happy you received the upgrade. Not an off grider but, maybe one day. Keep up the good work. Impressed with you both.

[Osborn-mjqc]

LiTime's reputation for quality and service is giving me the comfort knowing that I will have quality gear because, as I said, we rely on battery power to live our lives; remain comfortable, warm, cool, cook, etc. I am very much looking forward to installing LiTime's batteries. Thank you for your sharing.

[clydeherman]

Just finished upgrading our trailer to qty 4 100 ah Litime Lifp04 batteries. They are working well. We charge with 1, 200 watts of solar, house charger - (pedestal power) which detects for lithium batteries, DC to DC charger for truck alternator charging. Love it.

[brianj]

Even cheaper, buy lifepo battery cells and build your own battery. Just be sure to get a decent bms. You can get each cell over 200ah x 4. Each cell is only 80 bux. So around 300 bux you can get an 800ah battery. Lemme just say, these last forever, they are lightweight and amazing power output. You don't even need to charge fully. They run the same at any power level

[shanedevon]

I upgraded to a Litime 280ah from a lead acid not long ago. I had to upgrade my converter as well, but after reading about it WFCO seems to have about the lowest quality converters, So i went with a progressive dynamics and it's worked perfectly.

[mawnpawz]

Hey with your new battery you should consider a 12 volt fridge to replace the gas/electric one I got one and love it more room for food and doesn't take that much power...I do have solar but should work good with you new battery

[googlechunkybig]

Thanks for the vid, just been thru the same learning curve with getting a charger for a LiFePO4 lithium battery (little different from the other Li battery types too) and trawling thru online for these. Like all things, people don't know until they know, so good to see your journey 👍 we are in the uk so just have a little less choice in finding LiFePO battery accessories.

[darinroske]

Not sure why you are complaining about the location of the battery and electrical. They are both in great locations, much easier to access than our travel trailer.

[AJ-qngd]

Looking to change to lithium in our VW camper where space is obviously an issue, hoping to go longer without having to run the engine to top up the leisure battery in the winter when solar is not so great, we prefer to wild camp so no shore power. Interesting video thanks 👍🏻🇬🇧

[JB-vgqr]

Any updates on this? How is that battery working for you? I upgraded the lead acid in my Geo Pro with a self-heating 200ah LiTime but that didn't go well because the BMS in the LiTime wasn't compatible with the solar charge controller. I returned the LiTime and purchased a similar battery from CanBat in B.C. Best upgrade ever and now the electrical system is perfect for my needs.

[Hemifan]

I used to stock converter on my trailer and set the solar charger to lithium. The converter will take the battery to about 85% and the solar charger takes it to 100%. No problems.

[glenlongstreet]

WE lived in our RV for 6 years. Don't ever want to do that again. I expect that you have similar feelings. Especially the part that has a flush toilet. ;)

[Mitchd]

One problem. You need to protect the alternator on your RV. It will burn out or even catch on fire if you do not install what is called a DC to DC charger inline with the 12v feed that goes to the battery. The lithium requires as you found out a higher charge rate. The vehicle alternator is not designed to do that and it will tax the alternator to a point where it will try but fail to meet that charge and will heat up to a point of melting or worse catch on fire.

[campinwill]

Nice upgrade, but you missed a critical item! The shunt and gauge or Bluetooth app and breakers for new power levels?

[seeking]

I am just finishing up a Li Time 230 ah install on a Sprinter class C. The battery space is similar to yours. Tight fit when I added a shunt, cut off switch, fuse and bus bar, but being able to monitor it is great.
Less than $600 for the battery.

[rvcuckoo]

Thanks for the info. Actually kinda jelly the power is under the sofa. Much easier than digging into a box in the bedroom with a bed in the way -- Super curious though -- what model is that ? I searched your other videos and there is no mention of the RV after this mod -- can you fill me in ?

[Centexgem]

You may require a DC to DC converter to protect your alternator if charging from that source.

[jacoe]

Thank you for video. Did you get the charger and inverter from Li Time or where do I get those. I have a 2006 jayco travel trailer and want to change.

[sunline]

Nice upgrade. I looked into putting them in my 5th wheel but couldn't justify the expense.