Hi all i have just brought a sprite alpine 2 2008. The battery is shot so i want to replace with lithium do i need to change the battery charger or could i just switch it off and charge with solar panel
battery chargers
- Thread starter ken bysouth
- Start date
- Jul 23, 2021
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It depends on the lithium battery. I have a kepworth 100ah that is a drop in replacement for lead acid. The voltage is managed by the BMS built into the battery. It's fine with the built in charger. I did change the solar controller to on that had a lithium option, as it allows a higher voltage for the bulk stage.
So far it's been good. Runs the motor mover ok, and has a bluetooth app to monitor its SoC and health.
I have an Eco worthy 280A.hr for testing fridges on 12V and I have charged it both with a standard caravan battery charger/PSU I have and a meanwell NPB 360-12-TB 2/3 stage charger/psu . The BMS in the LI-Po4 battery sorts out the charging and as with Tobes' battery it also has bluetooth so I can see the state of charge , I was surprised that the caravan battery charger/PSU got it up to 100% but it did get warm as it was pumping out 12 amps for quite a while.
As noted above the answer can vary by battery manufacturer and quality of BMS they use. We changed to lithium 18 months ago with a 105ah Fogstar which was a straight drop in. Your owners manual for the van will have the charge profile of your charger in it - send a copy of this to your chosen battery manufacturer to verify suitability. Going on their say so is safer than the experience of others, thats the route I took as the email can be kept for any potential warranty issues
If you don't have MMs and want to go offgrid could consider using power station eg Bluetti AC180, or smaller 1000W AC70 may also work for you as it can drive some 1600W appliances eg hair driers, jugs, toasters. The 10A 12V output is more enough to run most caravan's 12V systems especially if you switch to LED bulbs, this is most efficient way to use power station. Alternatively plug the vans EHU into power station then its like being on powered site, with 12v coming from vans internal power supply. Will need to monitor your power consumption.
Can be charge from solar panels on van roof or portable ones, car 12V socket when travelling or from any AC outlet you can find. Only takes about 1 hour to recharge from AC outlet.
Because power station is portable can travel in car freeing up more payload. NB 100AH AGM weighs 28kg, LiFeP04 14kg.
When comparing costs verus 100AH LiFeP04 with 2000W inverters, solar and new AC charger power station works out cheaper, lighter and don't need to modify van electricial system. A roof top solar panel eg 200W would be only thing I'd add.
Can be charge from solar panels on van roof or portable ones, car 12V socket when travelling or from any AC outlet you can find. Only takes about 1 hour to recharge from AC outlet.
Because power station is portable can travel in car freeing up more payload. NB 100AH AGM weighs 28kg, LiFeP04 14kg.
When comparing costs verus 100AH LiFeP04 with 2000W inverters, solar and new AC charger power station works out cheaper, lighter and don't need to modify van electricial system. A roof top solar panel eg 200W would be only thing I'd add.
For those with MMs that don't go offgrid and only need battery for MMs an ultralight option is motorbike Li Ion battery. I use 9AH Poweroad battery which has 440CCA rating (MMs use 20-100A), has no problems driving MMs has even jump started car on occasion. These only weigh 1-2kg. Will need to purchase separate charger, DON'T use van charger.
In my case I transport 100AH LiFEP04 house battery in car (van payload is max out) and swap once setup as we are normally offgrid.
In my case I transport 100AH LiFEP04 house battery in car (van payload is max out) and swap once setup as we are normally offgrid.
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