Eco Tree lithium batteries

[berni109]

I am one of the lucky recipients of the prize draw for a reduced price 100ah battery that was run by Fun a few weeks back.
(Most fortuitous but I wont let that affect an impartial review. Been thinking for a while of switching from agm but there was obviously no rush with the current restrictions and then this win made the decision for me.)
The guys I spoke to at Eco Tree could not of been more helpful and the exchange of £££'s for the actual battery went very smoothly. I receive a personal delivery to my doorstep and a few more questions I had thought about in the intervening period were answered.
What they did point out was that there needs to be a device to protect the smart alternator from trying to output very high amps. Already fitted in my van so no worries there.
They are promoting these lithium batteries as a straight drop in replacement with a built-in battery management system to take care of the abuses that can be inflicted on them in a motorhome. Time will tell but with a very long guarantee they must be confident of that claim.
More to follow when I get around to fitting this and then some real use experience in the not too distance future.

 

[Googlebot]

Can’t wait, love these threads!

 

[Dorset Diver]

I am one of the lucky recipients of the prize draw for a reduced price 100ah battery that was run by Fun a few weeks back.
(Most fortuitous but I wont let that affect an impartial review. Been thinking for a while of switching from agm but there was obviously no rush with the current restrictions and then this win made the decision for me.)
The guys I spoke to at Eco Tree could not of been more helpful and the exchange of £££'s for the actual battery went very smoothly. I receive a personal delivery to my doorstep and a few more questions I had thought about in the intervening period were answered.
What they did point out was that there needs to be a device to protect the smart alternator from trying to output very high amps. Already fitted in my van so no worries there.
They are promoting these lithium batteries as a straight drop in replacement with a built-in battery management system to take care of the abuses that can be inflicted on them in a motorhome. Time will tell but with a very long guarantee they must be confident of that claim.
More to follow when I get around to fitting this and then some real use experience in the not too distance future.

I'm glad it went well for you. I have a few questions. What is this device to protect the smart alternator from trying to output very high amps? Is there anyway I can tell if I have a smart alternator and have the device already fitted?

 

[andy63]

What is this device to protect the smart alternator from trying to output very high amps?

It's a dc to dc charger or more commonly referred to as a battery to battery charger..
Effectively charges the leisure battery from the start battery/alternator by taking power from that source and then charging the leisure battery as would any other type of charger be it mains or solar powered..
They come with various current capacities and therefore limit the possibility of any current over and above the capacity of the device you chose..
On the smart alternator side ..most modern vehicles have a smart alternator fitted..it just means its output is controlled by a signal from the vehicle ecu rather than the once voltage regulator fitted..
It's output voltage can fluctuate anywhere between say 13v up to 15v..depending on battery state and driving conditions..
If you can monitor your start battery voltage while engine is running you will soon see if its a smart..
Andy.

 

[Dorset Diver]

Thanks Andy

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[busby]

I too was a winner.Dropped my van off at Oaktree Motorhomes and they lent me a courtesy car whilst they fitted it..Excellent service..Will be great when we can hit the road and try it out.BUSBY.

 

[Dorset Diver]

I too was a winner. Dropped my van off at Oaktree Motorhomes and they lent me a courtesy car whilst they fitted it. Excellent service. Will be great when we can hit the road and try it out. BUSBY.

Hello busby. Did they fit any other equipment or was it a straight swap for your previous battery?

 

[mitzimad]

Im also one of the winners delivered to me door fitted it last week and this post has reminded me i want to go and check it lol

 

[Dorset Diver]

Im also one of the winners delivered to me door fitted it last week and this post has reminded me i want to go and check it lol

Hello mitzimad. Basically the same question for you. Have you fitted any other equipment or did you just do a straight swap for your previous battery?

Roger

 

[busby]

Hello busby. Did they fit any other equipment or was it a straight swap for your previous battery?

Straight swap,,They tidied the wiring up a bit also,,BUSBY.

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[Lenny HB]

Is there anyway I can tell if I have a smart alternator and have the device already fitted?

On fiat Motorhome chassis they are only smart from the Euro 6D engine Motorhomes started with them around mid to late 2019. The converter will have fitted a B2B but probably only a 30 amp one. Mercs have had them for quite a few years.
Even with a standard alternator you should fit a B2B as the high charging capability of a Lithium battery can burn out an alternator if just relying on a split charge relay.

 

[Dorset Diver]

Thanks Lenny HB. Mine is a 2015 Fiat Ducato (290?) so possibly not smart but i take your point about burn out. I'm still trying to figure out if I have a B2B fitted now (and where it is?) as the system always keeps both the leisure batteries and cab battery charged regardless of the input source.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Straight swap,,They tidied the wiring up a bit also,,BUSBY.

Afternoon Mr. Busby, did you have solar panels fitted and an uprated /controllable power device already installed, or did you just have the standard van equipment to use?
Thanks and hope you both well.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks Lenny HB. Mine is a 2015 Fiat Ducato (290?) so possibly not smart but i take your point about burn out. I'm still trying to figure out if I have a B2B fitted now (and where it is?) as the system always keeps both the leisure batteries and cab battery charged regardless of the input source.

Definitely not smart mine is 2017, standard alternator.

 

[Trout bum]

I'm glad it went well for you. I have a few questions. What is this device to protect the smart alternator from trying to output very high amps? Is there anyway I can tell if I have a smart alternator and have the device already fitted?

I've heard that ducatto engines from 2015 onwards and Fitted with Euro 5 & 6 engines have smart alternators fitted , but can't find any info on this.

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[TinaLes]

Having looked into when Ducatos were fitted with smart alternators, I discovered the following:
Unless your van has the "EcoJet" engine with stop/start function, electro hydraulic power steering, and an eco function button to save fuel,plus brake regen, then you probably have a standard not smart alternator.
Also if the cab unit is to be converted to a motor home, then unless specified by the converter, a conventional alternator will probably be fitted.
As others have said, just check the charge voltage going into the starter battery.
LES

 

[Lenny HB]

I've heard that ducatto engines from 2015 onwards and Fitted with Euro 5 & 6 engines have smart alternators fitted , but can't find any info on this.

Smart alternators are fitted to Ducato's for camper conversions from the Euro 6D engines, standard Ducato vans had them on eairler engines.

 

[Lenny HB]

Having looked into when Ducatos were fitted with smart alternators, I discovered the following:
Unless your van has the "EcoJet" engine with stop/start function, electro hydraulic power steering, and an eco function button to save fuel,plus brake regen, then you probably have a standard not smart alternator.
Also if the cab unit is to be converted to a motor home, then unless specified by the converter, a conventional alternator will probably be fitted.
As others have said, just check the charge voltage going into the starter battery.
LES

That does not apply to Ducato's for camper conversions.

 

[busby]

Afternoon Mr. Busby, did you have solar panels fitted and an uprated /controllable power device already installed, or did you just have the standard van equipment to use?
Thanks and hope you both well.

I had solar panels fitted a couple of years ago,,,Panels charging new lithium battery well..Keep safe Captain,BUSBY.