Converting to LiFePO4

[imolared]

Hello
I have a 2019 3120RL with 4 6volt Pb batteries and Montana installed solar with one panel on top.
The 4 Pb's are slowly dying a painful death (At least that is the way I feel).
To convert to Li I understand that an it would need some sort-of adapter to use the existing installed solar equipment.

thanks

[jeffba]

you will get a better answer if you share what solar equipment you have

[AZ Traveler]

Ed,

Installing lithium will be pretty much plug and play. You can adjust the charging from your converter and solar to fully top off your batteries. If you do nothing they will still charge to 90%.

[imolared]

I have
Jaboni JPP-SCC-30 MPPT Solar Charge Controller
Magnum CSW2012 Power Inverter
265 watt panel

I was told that unless I get a ???? The Li batteries would only charge for 4 hours and then I would need to push the blue button in the electrical panel (see far right middle)

[AZ Traveler]

Ed,

Since you live in Reno where Battle Born is headquartered, recommend you talk to their customer service. They can explain the adjustments for lithium.

[Old_Salty]

Our controller is a Victron so I am speaking in regards to it - although the Jaboni must have a similar adjustment for Lithium. When I made the changeover, I needed to change the setting on the charge controller to Lithium from lead acid which had the charge controller raise the fully charge voltage. On the converter (sorry I don't recall the model), there was a small switch to convert from lead to lithium batteries, also to raise the full charge voltage. Both were very easy to perform. Google search for both items answered my questions.

BTW - the Magnum CSW2012 is an inverter, not the convertor. The picture with the breakers and fuses is the front of the convertor. I had to remove the cover to access the switch I think... - but it may have been accessible through the small opening - I really don't recall.

[Daryles]

On that white tag in your picture of the circuit breaker panel you will see the model number of your converter built into the panel.
Example PD4575K18LS8.
Download your owners manual from Progressive Dynamics. It will tell you if your converter is lithium ready. If so you will have a little switch for lithium voltage charging approximately 14.6vdc.

https://www.progressivedyn.com/suppo...ooting-guides/

IF your converter is NOT lithium ready, it's not the end of the world. Mine is not. I converted to lithium three years ago. The FLA converter gets the lithium batteries to about 90% by using the Charge Wizard mode button. You can download the instructions from PD website.
I also have 400W of solar panels. They top the batteries up to 100% before we go boondocking.
Normally I use the batteries between 20 to 90%.
They last longer (lifetime) within that range.

[scottz]

You have received good advice. The only issue is the level of charge using a non-lithium converter. I ran like this for a couple years before I swapped out my PD converter for a lithium model ($229). Even if you don't push the Charge Wizard button, you will still get a good charge and your new batteries will last longer if you don't charge them to 100% all the time; although considering the life span of these batteries and my age, that is not much of an issue.

If you charge via solar it should give you 100%.

Either way, you will be fine. Best of luck.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by imolared

Hello
I have a 2019 3120RL with 4 6volt Pb batteries and Montana installed solar with one panel on top.
The 4 Pb's are slowly dying a painful death (At least that is the way I feel).
To convert to Li I understand that an it would need some sort-of adapter to use the existing installed solar equipment.

thanks

I never heard of an adapter. I have a Victron 3000W inverter that has a 120A charger. I disconnected the converter entirely and now the Victron charger handles the job of charging correctly. Either learn how to configure everything, or pay a pro installer (Battle Born can recommend) or try asking BB but they have a web site with all the info.

[wed]

You right where battle born is located reach out to them

[jelders25]

Originally Posted by imolared

I have
Jaboni JPP-SCC-30 MPPT Solar Charge Controller
Magnum CSW2012 Power Inverter
265 watt panel

I was told that unless I get a ???? The Li batteries would only charge for 4 hours and then I would need to push the blue button in the electrical panel (see far right middle)

Did you get the answers you needed? My converter looks just like yours, and there is a small switch by the green blinking light to switch from LA to LI. It changes your charging profile to lithium. Also, your jaboni remote display will also change to a lithium profile. You can find it on YouTube under Jaboni remote display.

[imolared]

I was told by a leading respected Li battery maker that the power supply once switched to Li would only function for four(4) hours then the blue button would need to be reset. They said there was a "box" what would fix that issue.

[AZ Traveler]

Ed,

You are getting advice here from folks that have actually done it. Have you talked to Battleborn?

Battleborn sells a great product with very good customer service.

[jelders25]

Originally Posted by jelders25

Did you get the answers you needed? My converter looks just like yours, and there is a small switch by the green blinking light to switch from LA to LI. It changes your charging profile to lithium. Also, your jaboni remote display will change to a lithium profile. You can find it on YouTube under Jaboni remote display.

I have already done this conversion. My converter is a PD4575, I dropped in 2, Renorgy self heating 100AH Lithium batteries last spring. I also added their battery monitor. They charge to 100% when you swap your converter to LI. I even called Progressive Dynamics's when I did mine. It was plug and play, my batteries charge to 14.6 volts every time.

[mlh]

Originally Posted by imolared

I was told by a leading respected Li battery maker that the power supply once switched to Li would only function for four(4) hours then the blue button would need to be reset. They said there was a "box" what would fix that issue.

I’m sorry but that doesn’t pass the sniff test. You would haft to reset it 6 times a day. ??
Lynwood

[jelders25]

I have never reset my charge wizard and I'm on my second year with this set up. I actually turn both battery switches off when I store it. The parasitic draws pulls the batteries down to about 85% charge before I get back to the farm. I turn both switches back on and reset the inverter and there at 100% within 1-2 hours. Lithium batteries charged at a much higher amperage and very quickly. I have been very happy with the upgrade.

BTW, I have the same Jaboni JPP-SCC-30 MPPT Solar Charge Controller but added a 2nd panel for a total of 540W. I bought the panel from Future Sales in Elkhart IN.

[Cat320]

You need to check to insure you cover all the various aspects of using them. Lithiums are not plug and play.

[imolared]

Cat 320
GREAT advice.
Could you suggest those aspects?
That would VERY helpful
Thank you

[jelders25]

Originally Posted by Cat320

You need to check to insure you cover all the various aspects of using them. Lithiums are not plug and play.

Can you help us out here, what are we missing?
V/r

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by imolared

Cat 320
GREAT advice.
Could you suggest those aspects?
That would VERY helpful
Thank you

Read through all the posts above. Lots of good info.

Here's a good link to a great article.

How to find happiness with lithium batteries
https://www.solacity.com/how-to-keep-lifepo4-lithium-ion-batteries-happy/

I made my own battery heaters.

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1255190#post1255190