33 replies to this topic

[pollux]

I like to replace the two AGM batteries with two Battleborn Lithium batteries. My camper is 2015 Eagle.

Stan told me last December that FWC will not be doing upgrade for users, so may be i can do it myself.

can someone tell me what i need to replace and provide the parts name to purchase?

1. battery separator

2. iota AC/DC charger

3. Zamp solar controller

4. electric wire gauge size change?

 

Or anyone in southern California can do it for a fee, i would be appreciated.

Edited by pollux, 01 May 2020 - 05:43 AM.

[rando]

You can definitely do this yourself.   As a first cut you don't need to change anything - remove the AGM batteries, install the lithium batteries.    If you want to optimize the performance you could change the solar controller and the iota (assuming you plug in regularly) but that is not a requirement and could happen later.

 

One question though - are you sure you need two lithium batteries?   That would be a lot of energy storage.   If the two AGMs were about the right size, then one lithium should do it. 

[pollux]

Thanks rando, i will just put one lithium battery then.

 

What brand of solar panel controller would you recommend?

[rando]

I sound like a broken record here, but Victron for the solar charge controller (and really anything else you need to upgrade):

 

https://shop.pkys.co...ooth_c_806.html

 

Pick whatever size you need, typically the 75/15 with 1 solar panel or the 100/20 for 2 solar panels. 

[ntsqd]

I would look at the solar specific vendors for the charge controller. I buy a fair amount of this sort of thing from AZ Wind & Solar, but there are others out there.

[pollux]

thanks rando, i replaced the Zamp with the victron MPPT solar controller 

 

Edited by pollux, 20 May 2020 - 03:48 AM.

[pollux]

Next i will replace the AGM battery with Battleborn lithium battery and this separator, i hope i am doing it correct.

Edited by pollux, 20 May 2020 - 03:49 AM.

[rando]

Which battery separator do you have at the moment?  You probably don't need to change it.

 

If you do, the Li-BIM is not what you want.   A blue sea ACR will work fine, (and is much cheaper) and for about the same price as the Li-BIM you are most of the way to a DC-DC charger which will be much more effective.

[pollux]

My current battery separator is FWC's factory installed Sure Power model 1314.

[rando]

The Sure Power 1314 will work as is, albeit you won't get a whole lot of charge from the truck alternator while driving with the stock 10AWG wiring.  

 

If you think you will need significant charging from the truck (in Sunny So. Ca. you may be fine with just solar and the little bit you get from the truck), then the next step would be a DC-DC charger.   Victron has a good solution for that as well:

https://www.victrone.../orion-tr smart