Changing AGM battery to Lithium in camper trailer

Submitted: Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 08:54
ThreadID: 143033 Views:7226 Replies:4 FollowUps:11
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Seasons greetings to all

I recently purchased a camper trailer which came fitted with a 120 amp AGM battery and redarc bcdc 1225D charger. I need to replace the battery and thinking about going to lithium but unsure if this is a simple swap or do the lithium's require something different in the way of charging ?

There is an anderson plug externally fitted to take a solar panel which is wired to the redarc so I will be mounting a fixed solar panel in the very near future.

What would I have to change or look out for in this battery swap ?

Just running a 60 litre fridge, lights and 12 volt water pump.

Cheers
Gazz
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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 09:20

Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 09:20
Gazz,

have the same charger in a van we recently bought.

Just connect the orange cable to the green cable, and bob’s your uncle. That will change the charging profile to lithium.

Bob



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Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 09:38

Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 09:38
Thanks Bob

I didn't think anything in my life could be so simple lol

All wiring is in heat shrink and split tubing so I will need to open it up - so there's no connection points just join the orange and green wires together ?


Cheers
Gazz
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Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 11:32

Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 11:32
All good Bob

Just opened it all up and very simple to do !

Cheers
Gazz
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 16:41

Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 16:41
All good, Gazz.

I haven’t needed to do it yet, but had to check The Book to confirm which 2 wires to join.

Hope it performs well for you!

Bob

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Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 16:50

Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 16:50
I didn't have a book Bob but read on a few sites that some chargers aren't good for lithium.

I won't be doing it until I get a battery but simple job


Cheers
Gazz
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Reply By: Gary W3 - Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 17:23

Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 17:23
Gazz,
The Redarc can be reset immediately after you connect your battery. Press the up and down arrows together until the screen changes. Scroll through and set the battery type to Lithium and select whatever your amp hours are. Then confirm and you are ready to go.
You should only need a 100ah lithium which will give you plenty for needs. Lifepo is a proven pack at a very cheap price as of Dec 30th.
If any probs, get in touch with Redarc. They are very helpful.
AnswerID: 638954

Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 17:57

Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 17:57
G'day Gary

I will have to download a manual as one didn't come with the camper but I only have 7 led lights and no arrows - 4 in charge profile and 3 in charge status.

But if all it takes is joining 2 wires as Bob said then all is good

I know the camper is 15 years old but unsure of the redarc's age.

Thanks for the reply

Cheers
Gazz
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Reply By: Member - Bigfish - Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 17:43

Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 17:43
I have 3 x 120 a/h ITech lithiums. Several mates have them as well. One of the blokes tried some cheap lithium and got 10 months...naturally --no warranty!! Retailer didnt want to know him....Grrr. I was reading their blurb about the new 120 x and it states that due to a decent BMS it is a true swap for an agm battery. It can handle a constant 150 amp/hour drain, completely dust and water proof plus a full 3 year replacement warranty. Excellent product with a good warranty and bullet proof. Around $880...not cheap but then again you get what you pay for! Remember ..the poor man pays twice. No...I dont work for the company but after several years and many good reports I find them a top quality piece of kit.
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Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 18:00

Thursday, Dec 30, 2021 at 18:00
Thanks Bigfish

Someone else I know has also recommended itech lithium's so they sound the goods

Cheers
Gazz
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Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Friday, Dec 31, 2021 at 09:09

Friday, Dec 31, 2021 at 09:09
G'day Bigfish

I've been reading up on and checking the specs and reviews on some different Lithium batteries and the iTech batteries sure stand out. So when the time comes I reckon that's what I will go with.

Cheers again
Gazz
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Follow Up By: Bazooka - Friday, Dec 31, 2021 at 17:26

Friday, Dec 31, 2021 at 17:26
Check the battery specs closely before you buy Gazz. Three things (usually) stand out in cheapies:
(1) low discharge rates (eg 50A continuous) - basically means low quality BMS, connectors, and/or cells
(2) low weight - as above, plus possibly you will not get the battery's claimed rating (eg 100Ah claimed, probably ~95Ah available). 100Ah should weigh around 14kg, cheapies are close to 20% lighter at ~11kg
(3) poor warranty
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Follow Up By: Member - Bigfish - Friday, Dec 31, 2021 at 18:10

Friday, Dec 31, 2021 at 18:10
Actually Bazooka..lithium batteries will get lighter. New technology will see them slowly lose more weight. New cell efficiency, less copper and more alloy and lighter cases will see a dramatic drop in weight. Already there is research in doing away with copper and using aluminium in the batteries. Cost and weight savings. I believe the ITech 120x has about 105 usable amp hours from the 120 a/h. I have used mine to around that figure so their advertising is correct. The new 120 x only weighs around 10kg..unlike lead acid weight is really not a factor...actually lighter means a better use of new technology. 3 quality batteries of 100 amp/hour..Enerdrive, ITech and Renogy all weigh around the 11-12kg mark.
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Reply By: Member - Serendipity(WA) - Tuesday, Jan 04, 2022 at 09:45

Tuesday, Jan 04, 2022 at 09:45
Hi Gazz

This is something I have been thinking about. I recently bought a 25amp/hr redarc BCDC controller. I looked at buying a second hand one only to find out the older models (which look almost the same) cannot charge lithium batteries. So just check your redarc BCDC charger to see if it is the newer model for lithium.

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Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Tuesday, Jan 04, 2022 at 16:43

Tuesday, Jan 04, 2022 at 16:43
Cheers for that

Not quite ready for the changeover yet but will confirm with Redarc before I do !

After much research and review reading on a dozen batteries, I'm leaning towards the iTech battery that Bigfish recommended

According to their spiel and specs page it's a straight forward swap

https://itechworld.com.au/collections/lithium-batteries/products/120ah-12-volt-lithium-battery-itech120x-water-proof-ip67-380a-max-discharge

All the best
Gazz
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Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Tuesday, Jan 04, 2022 at 18:33

Tuesday, Jan 04, 2022 at 18:33
Serendipity

Emailed Redarc with that question along with the unknown age of my charger and faster than I can down a can of Great Northern on a 42 degree day got a reply from Redarc saying exactly what Bob Y posted earlier on the thread if it's a BCDC1225D

Just join the orange and green wires and you are good to go with Lithium !

Hope that helps

Cheers
Gazz
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