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Posted (edited)

Beginning to research what I need to do to upgrade to lithium batteries.

 

starting from zero. So don’t even know what I don’t know yet.

 

I am pretty handy. I manage power plants for a living.  So I think I can do it myself once I know what needs swapping out.

 

any help would be appreciated!

Edited by Gene G.
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Posted (edited)

@Gene G. Most here have gone to Epoch (15% OFF ended yesterday! 🙃) or LiTime. Search for these keywords.

Install new batteries, get rid of extra wires in bay in preference of new internal busses. Change charger configuration or replace charger for LiFePO4 type. That’s all.

I installed 600 Ah Epoch summer of 2024. Just purchased on sale another 300 Ah Epoch Essential and soon we will have 900 Ah snug in the bay! 😎

Edited by jd1923
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Chris & John in Prescott, AZ | 2016 EII #113 | '01 Ram 2500 Cummins!

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Posted

Gene - 

There are a bunch of posts here on the Forum about anything ranging from minimal (me) to substantial Li overhauls  that were done by anything ranging from rank novices (me) to certified professional outfits.

Have fun reading!

Bill

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2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

Near Asheville, NC

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Posted

Some of what is necessary depends on what solar controller you have.  We have Bluesky, so I had to do some reprogramming which was fairly simple to do.  We replaced our four AGM batteries with three BattleBorn 100Ah batteries.  We did do some wire/cable cleanup, but it was not difficult.  300Ah has been plenty for us when we’re camping without shore power. As Bill suggests, do a search, there’s been a lot of information posted on lithium upgrades.  Mike

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Texas Hill Country | 2016 Elite II #135 | 2020 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins

ALAZARCACOFLGAIDILKSKYLAMDMSMOMTNENVNMNYNCNDOHOKSCSDTNTXUTVAWVWYsm.jpgimage.jpeg.815d5dd040f6c139c307d1e86ae39bab.jpeg

 

Posted
11 hours ago, Gene G. said:

Just got 2 230 amp hr Litime with blue tooth. Charged 1 to 100%. Will do other tommorrow 

Both @topgun2 and I have installed dual 230Ah LiTime (w/o BT) LFPs and I myself am very pleased with the performance of these batteries. We both have posts of our respective installations for you to glean.

IMG_4617.thumb.jpeg.d9cbd03118d78c4a8d385226e79364cf.jpeg


Ron and Brooxie | Clear Lake (Houston), Texas

2020 OLEll, Twin, 579:

No installed solar, dual 30# propane tanks w/GasStop safety devices, Renogy 40A DC-DC charger, 460Ah LFP battery bank/Victron SmartShunt, auxiliary Cerbo-S GX/Victron 30A Blue Smart IP22 Charger combo, interior mounted Hughes Autoformer, twin independent sliding Lagun mount tables, extended dinette table and pantry landing, tongue-mounted hoist, Beech Lane refrigerator Ventilation/Evaporate Coil fans, metal valve stems with TST cap sensors and signal repeater, Waste Master sewer hose management system, Dreiha Atmos 4.4 A/C upgrade/Ceilo Breez Max thermostat, FlagpoleBuddy Starlink Mini suction mount kit.

2019 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Work Van:

Explorer Limited SE, Low-Top 7 Passenger van conversion, 6.0L V8 Vortec, 6-Speed Automatic, RWD; Air-Lift LoadLifter air suspension/WirelessAir compressor; Bilstein B6 4600 Series shocks; metal valve stems for TST tire pressure monitoring system; Buyers Products cargo containment boxes/DC Cargo securement system; rear bumper DC-DC Anderson power cable outlet; 100Ah 12V portable power station/Dometic CFX 75L Dual Zone cooler; front 2” receiver hitch/QuikrStuff Mach2 double bike rack; Mechman 320A high output alternator; Starlink Mini/Veritas Vans magnetic mount.

Posted (edited)
On 12/3/2025 at 7:27 AM, jd1923 said:

Install new batteries, get rid of extra wires in bay in preference of new internal busses. Change charger configuration or replace charger for LiFePO4 type. That’s all.

I'm with TopGun2 and Mike & Carrol in using a minimalist approach.  JD's approach is a good start for cleaning up the cabling and that's good too.

If you want to do a 100% upgrade to current technology then there are 2 in 1 Charger/Converter units, computer interfaces with gizmology way over my  Pea Brain.  So I'll leave it to you to respond back as to your goal.

Several of us though like keeping things simple.  Personally I LIKE have seperate charging and inverter systems.  The combo units, best one is Victron's, is in our opinion overkill in the gizmology zone.  Have a blip and you could lose both 120V and 12V capability.  Is our world if we lose one, we are still in business in many ways.  

I suspect that our 2019 hulls were built with the same PD Converters.  They likely have the same LI switch that can work with many Lithium Battereis.  If you are in the less is better group, then reusing the Converter is a good cost reduction... if you have the switch on the PD mother board.  Below is one of my DIY's on this topic.

Up to about two or three years ago, the #1 Litho battery was the Dragon Engergy Battleborn's.  Now as stated above thee are some higher power density units with good quality too.  

Finally, if you desire info for minimalist approach, you for sure need a way for keeping track of your SOC.   If so, send me a PM and I can provide you with some handy info.

So, welcome to the OTT Family and good luck in your project.

Geronimo John

 

 

 

Progressive Dynamics PD4045 LiCSV Upgrade.docx

Edited by Geronimo John
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TV:  2019 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat, 3.5L EcoBoost, 10 Speed Trans, Max Tow, FX-4, Rear Locker      OLLIE:  2018 OE2 Hull 342, Twin Bed.    OLLIE DIY’s: Timken Bearings, BB LiFePO4's, Victron 712 Smart, 350 Amp Master Switch, Houghton 3400, Victron Orion DC - DC, 3000-Watt Renogy Inverter, P.D. 60-amp Converter, Frig Dual Exhaust Fans, Kitchen Drawer Straps. Front Wardrobe Shelves, Snuggle Shelf.   TV DIY’s:  2 5/16" Anderson System, Nitto recon’s, Firestone Rear Air Bags, Bilstein 5100’s, Mud Flaps & Weather Tech all, installed Ham Radio (WH6JPR).

  

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Posted
5 hours ago, Ronbrink said:

I myself am very pleased with the performance of these batteries.

Ditto for me.

Relatively speaking, our installs are at the lower end of the scale of difficulty.  Without additional monitoring devices (think Victron stuff here) there is some requirement for having a bit of experience with energy usage.  Speaking for myself - while using my "old" lead acid batteries I never had an occasion where the batter charge of those was below 83% FULL!  So, when I got my LiTime Li batteries that had even more amp hours of capacity AND they could be discharged much lower than the 50% limit of the old lead acid batteries, I found myself virtually bathing in a wonderful supply of energy.  I should note here that I VERY RARELY have a need for air conditioning and I am VERY conservative of even using the furnace (think blower motor using electricity here).

But, if you are in a similar boat, you too can do this conversation VERY easily.  But, if you want/need more bells and whistles then adding what you need is really not too difficult.

Bill 

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2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

Near Asheville, NC

Posted (edited)

Ditto.  Love our Battleborns.  

But knowing what's out there now, as posted many times by many owners, the cost of three of them (300AH) and the cabling could lead me today to another larger single battery.

PS:  In addition to the SOC capability, our 2019 OE2's do not have a master 350 amp shut off switch.  Yes there are lots of opinins as to where to mount it, but 95% see the need to ba able to stop the source of power in an emergency QUICKLY.  So please add that to the need to do list.  Below is John Davies' approach.

John Davies Master Battery Switch.docx

Note that his install was for 200 amps and inside the cabin basement.  I suggest using the 350 amp version as it is higher than the fuse in the 4/0 cabling.  Also, I suggest mounting it in the battery box to not delay exiting a smoke filled trailer in an emergency.  Get out and shut it off outside.  Always grab your fire extinguisher and have it handy. But get the family out first.

Edited by Geronimo John
  • Like 2

TV:  2019 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat, 3.5L EcoBoost, 10 Speed Trans, Max Tow, FX-4, Rear Locker      OLLIE:  2018 OE2 Hull 342, Twin Bed.    OLLIE DIY’s: Timken Bearings, BB LiFePO4's, Victron 712 Smart, 350 Amp Master Switch, Houghton 3400, Victron Orion DC - DC, 3000-Watt Renogy Inverter, P.D. 60-amp Converter, Frig Dual Exhaust Fans, Kitchen Drawer Straps. Front Wardrobe Shelves, Snuggle Shelf.   TV DIY’s:  2 5/16" Anderson System, Nitto recon’s, Firestone Rear Air Bags, Bilstein 5100’s, Mud Flaps & Weather Tech all, installed Ham Radio (WH6JPR).

  

visited-united-states-map.png

Posted
On 12/3/2025 at 8:32 PM, Gene G. said:

Just got 2 230 amp hr Litime with blue tooth. Charged 1 to 100%. Will do other tommorrow 

Let us know if you have questions getting ready to install! Good upgrade for you! 😂

Chris & John in Prescott, AZ | 2016 EII #113 | '01 Ram 2500 Cummins!

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