Another battery question.

[Oldchappers]

I’m thinking of replacing my 95ah AGM battery in Hymer Exsis i414 (2017) with 2 lithium batteries (biggest I can get in battery space). Is this a straight swap or do I need to change other components as well?

 

[Bessy765]

You Need the correct charging set up or you could either not fully charge them, or damage them. Someone will be along with more knowledge than me?

 

[berni109]

Do a search and read through the recent threads on this subject.
Not necessarily a straight swap.
Depends on characteristic configuration of current components as to whether a change is required.

 

[autorouter]

Lead-acid based batteries (including AGM and Gel) need to be fully 100% charged at least every few days, otherwise they gradually sulphate and lose capacity. Lithium batteries do not have this problem, and can be stored for long periods partly charged without degradation.

Your existing chargers (mains, alternator and possibly solar) should have a maximum voltage of about 14.4V which is fine for charging lithium, and won't overcharge them. When the lithium battery internal voltage rises to that voltage, no more current will flow into the battery, and charging will stop. On that basis, some will say that a lithium battery is a 'drop-in replacement' for a lead-acid-based battery.

The lithium battery will probably never be fully charged, but that in some ways is an advantage. Lithium batteries cycled between 10% and 90% last longer than those cycled by more extreme amounts.

The only big disadvantage of lithium batteries, apart from cost, is they should not be charged below 0 degrees C. If you never use your MH in freezing weather, that's not a problem. If you're planning ski trips, you need to make some provision for avoiding charging when freezing. A proper lithium battery charger will have a temperature sensor to avoid charging when too cold or indeed when too hot.

Another possible disadvantage is that a big lithium battery (or a few smaller ones) presents a very low resistance to the alternator, and will take a large current. This is fine when running normally with good airflow, but in hot weather in heavy traffic the alternator might overheat. If there's a Battery-to-Battery (B2B) charger fitted, this regulates the amps and solves this problem. Newer MHs with smart alternators will probably already have a B2B.

 

[Stealaway]

I’m thinking of replacing my 95ah AGM battery in Hymer Exsis i414 (2017) with 2 lithium batteries (biggest I can get in battery space). Is this a straight swap or do I need to change other components as well?

Do you spend long periods off grid? I would also be looking at the solar charger settings.

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[Lenny HB]

You will need a B2B (your van won't have one) and a solar regulator with Lithium profile. As autorouter says the EBL will be OK. The AGM setting on your EBL may be best as it charges at 14.7v but check with the battery supplier.

 

[roadwarrior]

so how much do lithium batteries cost for our vans then ?

 

[Lenny HB]

Depending on the make between £400 to £1000 for a 100ah.

 

[Googlebot]

There is a thread of how I went for lithium in my signature in a very similar van.

Amuse yourself while you read how jump starter cables are aluminium and not copper.