Chris RV Living
Seasonal RV’er
Starting to add Boondocking to our camping experience.....
Posts: 137
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Post by Chris RV Living on Apr 2, 2024 15:57:55 GMT -5
Has anyone converted from Lead Acid to Lithium for your Connect battery? Do the brakes still function properly? Did you replace the battery trickle charger? Where is the trickle charger? In particular for the 2020 RB261 Did you put in two 12v Lithium 100AH or 150AH batteries in parallel to get even more time before charging? Did you add solar either on roof or as portable panels?
We now have a property where we can camp boondocking and a campground not too far away to dump tanks It's in Tennessee though so we will be looking at doing a much larger standalone solar install to be able to run the air-conditioning. in the short run we have a 6800 watt generator but would like to hear what others have done
My Lead Acid battery is on a solar trickle charger, and that works fine... just know that battery won't last forever, and perhaps when it dies it would be a good time to go Lithium, and do at least one battery, but maybe two in parallel.
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Chris RV Living
Seasonal RV’er
Starting to add Boondocking to our camping experience.....
Posts: 137
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Post by Chris RV Living on Apr 2, 2024 16:01:36 GMT -5
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Chris RV Living
Seasonal RV’er
Starting to add Boondocking to our camping experience.....
Posts: 137
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Post by Chris RV Living on Apr 2, 2024 16:14:41 GMT -5
The new 2024 ALL MODELS manual does mention the converter... but not where it is page 41
Each converter has a built-in fan which operates through a load sensor control or temperature sensor. As more current is drawn, the fan will speed up, run faster or slow down, based on amp draw and/or temperature. Should the fan not run at all, the converter may have overheated and will cut-out and/or stop. NOTE: Converters with Lithium option is offered.
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Chris RV Living
Seasonal RV’er
Starting to add Boondocking to our camping experience.....
Posts: 137
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Post by Chris RV Living on Apr 2, 2024 16:16:08 GMT -5
And on the brakes in the 2024 ALL MODELS Owner Manual page 38
The safety break-away switch will NOT operate unless connected to a power source equivalent to or greater than an automotive type 12-Volt, 12-amp hour wet-cell battery. I would think the power of Lithium is greater at least initially, but I believe a near dead lithium is lower voltage than a near dead lead acid battery.....
So much more to investigate to be safe.....
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Post by scuba72 on Apr 2, 2024 17:29:05 GMT -5
The safety break-away switch will NOT operate unless connected to a power source equivalent to or greater than an automotive type 12-Volt, 12-amp hour wet-cell battery. I would think the power of Lithium is greater at least initially, but I believe a near dead lithium is lower voltage than a near dead lead acid battery..... So much more to investigate to be safe..... Depending on the Lithium battery, they shut themselves off between 10 an 11 volts. A dead lead acid battery may still show 12 volts, but as soon as you apply a load it will read as little as 0 volts. Take the load off and it will slowly build back up voltage. If your worried about the brakes you can install a breakaway box which contains it own built in battery like this: www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Breakaway-Kit/Bright-Way/3802311.html
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Chris RV Living
Seasonal RV’er
Starting to add Boondocking to our camping experience.....
Posts: 137
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Post by Chris RV Living on Apr 17, 2024 13:09:39 GMT -5
I still haven't figured out where the Connect On-Board 12v Charger is located. I took apart some easy locations on the inside but didn't find the 12v charger. I am sure that will need to be replaced to replace the 12v LEAD ACID battery with Lithium. Anyone find where it is on any model CONNECT? I have the RB261 and I didn't find any obvious location for the charger. Maybe it's behind the Fuses inside the RV? I haven't taken that down yet to see....
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Post by lynnmor on Apr 17, 2024 18:35:19 GMT -5
Turn on every 12 volt thing in the trailer and listen for the converter fan.
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Chris RV Living
Seasonal RV’er
Starting to add Boondocking to our camping experience.....
Posts: 137
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Post by Chris RV Living on Apr 20, 2024 15:29:24 GMT -5
I found out from KZ and it's behind the Fuse Panel It's an all in one unit and for my model year (2020) it was still LEAD ACID only. At some point they switched to a model that AUTO SENSES between Lead Acid and Lithium THe WFCO website isn't the greatest, but I believe this is the PART i would need. Once I confirm what is installed in my RV www.wfcotech.com/shop/converters/wf-8900-ad-rep/wf-8955-ad-rep-converter-replacement-kit/Here is what they e-mailed me - ================== From KZ The model noted below [WF-8955-AD-WAGO] is what KZ is currently using, it is not what is in your trailer. From: Chris Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2024 8:46 AM To: kz -rv.com> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: KZ Contact Us Form M7060627 Do you know for sure KZ started using that model in 2019? Or I should open up under refrigerator to see if it’s this model? Thanks for quick response!! Chris ________________________________________ From: kz -rv.com> Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2024 8:40:34 AM To: ChrisRVLiving Subject: KZ Contact Us Form M7060627 Hi Chris, your converter and distribution panel is located under the refer.. www.wfcotech.com/page/2/?s=auto+detect this website will provide you with auto detect converter options.. this is the model we currently use.. KZ RV
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Chris RV Living
Seasonal RV’er
Starting to add Boondocking to our camping experience.....
Posts: 137
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Post by Chris RV Living on Apr 20, 2024 15:30:51 GMT -5
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Post by lynnmor on Apr 20, 2024 16:36:55 GMT -5
Contact Bestconverter and tell them the WFCO model number that you now have and tell them what you are trying to accomplish. Get off that WFCO line of poor quality and get something that performs better and will last longer.
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Mark T
Newbie RV’er
Longer days ahead.
Posts: 46
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Post by Mark T on May 6, 2024 10:29:22 GMT -5
I converted to lithium. Built my own batteries from cells and now have 2-280ah batteries. Placed them, a DC to DC charger for vehicle charging, a solar charger, and a 110 charger in a truck box on the tongue.
A dead lithium battery is 10V, and 10% left is 12V.
I pitched my 12v converter/charger in the power panel and replaced it with a 30 amp Victron 110 charger. The Victron can act as a charger or just a constant 12V supply. The Victron is fully configurable using an app, unlike a replacement converter from WFCO. And I think it was cheaper as I recall. Also added a new 110 breaker to power the Victron. Out of the factory, the converter is on the general breaker with other circuits.
Get at least 200ah in 2-100's or a single 200ah. You really can't mix wet cell and lithium. If you travel where it can or will be below freezing, make sure you get batteries that have low temp protection.
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Chris RV Living
Seasonal RV’er
Starting to add Boondocking to our camping experience.....
Posts: 137
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Post by Chris RV Living on May 8, 2024 11:06:04 GMT -5
I converted to lithium. Built my own batteries from cells and now have 2-280ah batteries. Placed them, a DC to DC charger for vehicle charging, a solar charger, and a 110 charger in a truck box on the tongue. A dead lithium battery is 10V, and 10% left is 12V. I pitched my 12v converter/charger in the power panel and replaced it with a 30 amp Victron 110 charger. The Victron can act as a charger or just a constant 12V supply. The Victron is fully configurable using an app, unlike a replacement converter from WFCO. And I think it was cheaper as I recall. Also added a new 110 breaker to power the Victron. Out of the factory, the converter is on the general breaker with other circuits. Get at least 200ah in 2-100's or a single 200ah. You really can't mix wet cell and lithium. If you travel where it can or will be below freezing, make sure you get batteries that have low temp protection. Mark T - thanks a lot. I was definitely not mixing the Lithium and Lead Acid. I will probably keep the Lead Acid a while longer just to run a few things off a cheap inverter I have already. I will look into the Victron option. I have their MPPT for charging the Lithium batteries from a ground array. What did you do to mount the batteries. From my measurements two battery boxes won't fit on the CONNECT tray behind propane. And the double battery boxes appear to be too long also. By my measurements I have to fit it on 22" rails. I might be able to get it to fit if I remove the handles from the battery boxes. I hope to get out to the RV this weekend to remeasure, and also will check to see if maybe the VICRON DC charger would be a good option. Thanks for the input!!!
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Chris RV Living
Seasonal RV’er
Starting to add Boondocking to our camping experience.....
Posts: 137
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Post by Chris RV Living on May 8, 2024 11:08:00 GMT -5
Contact Bestconverter and tell them the WFCO model number that you now have and tell them what you are trying to accomplish. Get off that WFCO line of poor quality and get something that performs better and will last longer. I will explore that too. I am using some VICTRON equipment already so I may explore Mark T's option also. For now we will be camping at our property, and when we travel I can probably live with the onboard inverter not fully charging the battery since we rarely travel more than 2 weeks. So much more to investigate and learn.
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Mark T
Newbie RV’er
Longer days ahead.
Posts: 46
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Post by Mark T on May 12, 2024 16:27:27 GMT -5
Chris, I put my batteries and other charging gear in a truck box I mounted on the tongue. I had to then move the propane forward a few inches. It seems possible that something like the LiTime 230Ah battery might fit on the tongue. It might be wider than a normal lead acid though and may be hard to find a box to go in. If you never dry camp, then a single 100Ah would likely do you , and they make some small ones these days that are lead acid size. But if you dry camp, you will be much happier with 200Ah+. I did have 2 lead acids on my tray, and did cut off one of the box handles on each box. For the converter replacement I used the Victron BlueSmart 30A IP22 charger - about $175. Fit right in the power panel in place of the old converter/charger.
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