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Upgrading to lithium batteries? Source for CHEAP “Lithium Charging Section” for your older PD4045 converter


John E Davies

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EDIT 12/16/20: see this thread for how to swap: .... https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/4812-how-to-progressive-dynamics-pd4045-lithium-upgrade/

$168 shipped, no sales tax. I just ordered one, and I plan to order a couple of Lithium batteries within a week. ETrailer.com sells this for $211, free shipping, plus sales tax. Quite a savings.

61114B5E-3D4C-412B-BF0B-36233B73DD45.thumb.jpeg.52bb141c14bfcfae66b3c40988016855.jpeg

https://www.ltdrvparts.com/PROGRESSIVE-DYNAMICS-PD4045-LITHIUM-CHARGING-SECTION-PD4045LICSV-PD4045LICSV.htm

NOTE: Later units are already lithium capable, I do not know an easy way to tell if yours is, other than looking right at your circuit board or possibly by calling Oliver Service... You have to remove the front cover (1 small square drive screw in the center, snaps around the outside) and check. Be VERY careful if you are connected to shore power, there are lots of live wires in there that could kill you. If you are at all in doubt, disconnect shore power and the batteries, and work by flashlight! Here is mine (Hull 218, April 2016 delivery):

FD1F03C3-5B2E-4B92-9F18-8AB00249A445.thumb.jpeg.38a02b00e9559813a245a2eb92cc9893.jpeg
 

This was posted by another member, I edited it for clarity. This is a new Lithium capable board. Note the jumpers.

031F5471-51DB-4D55-BD75-DCC8EE44B272.jpeg.e535919c61973940beed9f3dc90aa0ad.jpeg

Here is a wide shot of my unit, you must look at the board in the very upper left corner. It is easier if you just take a picture to look at.

5D79FB75-9C2C-4973-8B02-34BA15B5C259.thumb.jpeg.2f483ac6aac71e03736a479a5773b98f.jpeg
 

4720E011-0B82-4A58-B455-712FC18BA8A6.thumb.jpeg.b0ac7bb5eeed5c8a6f398e743f88f81b.jpeg

When I change mine I will post a full HOW TO thread with pics and info. “When” depends on when I get the converter part and the Victron batteries. I already have a Victron smart monitor installed, and the Oliver installed Zamp solar controller is lithium capable already.

I hope this is helpful.

John Davies

Spokane WA

Edited by John E Davies
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SOLD 07/23 "Mouse":  2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.

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John,

Thanks for posting this.  I am also looking forward to your write-up.

I found that the new PD board does an excellent job charging the Li batteries.   It is quick at driving the battery voltage up to 14.5V.  In comparison, the ZAMP solar charge controller in LI mode does an okay job, but it never seems to get the battery voltage quite as high as the PD shore powered system does. 

For this reason I am considering swapping the ZAMP PWM controller out for a Victron MMPT controller.  Note that I don't believe that the Victron charge controller is a necessary upgrade for LI batteries, but I am hoping for a measured improvement in battery charging capability that better leverages the existing PVs.

Mike 

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5 hours ago, John E Davies said:

$168 shipped, no sales tax. I just ordered one, and I plan to order a couple of Lithium batteries within a week. ETrailer.com sells this for $211, free shipping, plus sales tax. Quite a savings.

61114B5E-3D4C-412B-BF0B-36233B73DD45.thumb.jpeg.52bb141c14bfcfae66b3c40988016855.jpeg

https://www.ltdrvparts.com/PROGRESSIVE-DYNAMICS-PD4045-LITHIUM-CHARGING-SECTION-PD4045LICSV-PD4045LICSV.htm

NOTE: Later units are already lithium capable, I do not know an easy way to tell if yours is, other than looking right at your circuit board or possibly by calling Oliver Service... You have to remove the front cover (1 small square drive screw in the center, snaps around the outside) and check. Be VERY careful if you are connected to shore power, there are lots of live wires in there that could kill you. If you are at all in doubt, disconnect shore power and the batteries, and work by flashlight! Here is mine (Hull 218, April 2016 delivery):

FD1F03C3-5B2E-4B92-9F18-8AB00249A445.thumb.jpeg.38a02b00e9559813a245a2eb92cc9893.jpeg
 

This was posted by another member, I edited it for clarity. This is a new Lithium capable board. Note the jumpers.

031F5471-51DB-4D55-BD75-DCC8EE44B272.jpeg.e535919c61973940beed9f3dc90aa0ad.jpeg

Here is a wide shot of my unit, you must look at the board in the very upper left corner. It is easier if you just take a picture to look at.

5D79FB75-9C2C-4973-8B02-34BA15B5C259.thumb.jpeg.2f483ac6aac71e03736a479a5773b98f.jpeg
 

4720E011-0B82-4A58-B455-712FC18BA8A6.thumb.jpeg.b0ac7bb5eeed5c8a6f398e743f88f81b.jpeg

When I change mine I will post a full HOW TO thread with pics and info. “When” depends on when I get the converter part and the Victron batteries. I already have a Victron smart monitor installed, and the Oliver installed Zamp solar controller is lithium capable already.

I hope this is helpful.

John Davies

Spokane WA

John,

That's a good price, Thanks for the link.

Started looking at this unit to upgrade to Lithium batteries recently when Mike posted about his progressive unit. Replaced the original unit a couple years ago with a non-lithium charging unit. Lithium batteries were not on my radar at that time. It's easy to replace.

IMG_0430-M.jpg

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LE2

 

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1 hour ago, mjrendon said:

For this reason I am considering swapping the ZAMP PWM controller out for a Victron MMPT controller.  Note that I don't believe that the Victron charge controller is a necessary upgrade for LI batteries, but I am hoping for a measured improvement in battery charging capability that better leverages the existing PVs.

Mike, I started a thread about that, can you please go here with any useful comments? I am unsure about how to proceed since the Victron is not a flush mount unit..... 

https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/4745-has-anyone-installed-a-mppt-controller-in-place-of-the-factory-zamp-controller/

Thanks,

John Davies

Spokane WA

SOLD 07/23 "Mouse":  2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.

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What I have learned is that for later models of the Oliver with the Progressive Dynamics 2000 watt inverter, one does not need to upgrade the converter when switching to Lithium Ion batteries.  I ordered my LE II last February before Oliver offered an LI option.  At the time of ordering I asked Oliver if they could put in the LI version of the PD 4045 (or preferably the PD 4060) but they could not accommodate me.  I decided I would wait until I had changed out my batteries to LI and would buy the conversion unit and put it in myself. 

However, once I picked up the trailer and switched out my batteries to four LI batteries, I concluded that the converter upgrade is not necessary for me because the inverter will always charge the LI batteries to full when set to the "custom" charge profile for LI batteries (14.4 v).  This was a surprise to me.  What I learned is that whenever connecting to shore power (or generator), the inverter charging section will charge the batteries to full.  This happens even if the inverter is turned off when first connecting to shore power.  When the Oliver sees shore power and the inverter is off, the inverter comes alive and the screen shows that 120 volt power is bypassing the inverter but charging the batteries at 80 amps (or less if the user selects a lower charging current). 

I am guessing that the converter/charger is also charging the batteries alongside the inverter charger, which would mean the batteries are receiving up to 125 amps of 12 v charging current until the LI batteries reach about 80% charge.  Then the non-LI converter backs down and the inverter/charger completes the charging to 100% at a constant 80 amp rate. 

I am not an expert on this by any means, but what I have concluded is that later model Olivers with the 2000 watt inverter do not need to upgrade their converter/charger when switching to LI batteries, because the Progressive Dynamics inverter/charger seems to do the job just fine.  

 

 

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Steve and Lornie

LE II Standard  Hull #657  2004 4Runner 4.7 L V8

Oregon

COIDKSMOORTNUTWYmed.jpg

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7 hours ago, Chukarhunter said:

What I have learned is that for later models of the Oliver with the Progressive Dynamics 2000 watt inverter

Mine uses the Progressive Dynamics Converter and a Xantrex Prowatt inverter and  I do not see any charging capabilities listed in the ProWatt Inverter owner's guide.

Progressive Dynamics does have a 2000W inverter listed on their website. I just don't have one.

My 2017 LE2 has these electrical components;

  • Progressive Dynamics Inteli-Power 4000 Series Converter model  PD4045K
  • Progressive Industries MS-HW30C Surge Protector
  • Xantrex 2000 watt inverter ProWatt SW2000 
  • Xantrex Prowatt remote
  • Xantrex transfer switch
  • ZAMP ZS30A Charge Controller
Edited by mjrendon
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The current Olivers have a different electrical setup than most owners are used to. What used to be the charger and distribution panel is now just the panel, while the charging is being done by a combination charger and inverter.  But I believe that the post above may have mixed up the manufacturers. As I understand, the charger/inverter either the Xantrex Freedom XC or XC Pro, depending on your battery package; and the distribution panel is the Progressive Dynamics PD-5000.

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Overland,  I agree with your assessment of the current AC and DC equipment.  We have discussed this change in previous posts and that is why I found this post confusing.

mjrendon,  My equipment is like yours.

Maybe there will be some future clarification.

Mossey

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Mike and Krunch   Lutz, FL  
2017 LEII #193 “the dog house”

 

 

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Russell,  I apologize if I am befuddling you today?  And Harbor Freight had a Blue Light Special on tarps last week or maybe it was Kmart.

Mossey

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Mike and Krunch   Lutz, FL  
2017 LEII #193 “the dog house”

 

 

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3 hours ago, mossemi said:

Russell,  I apologize if I am befuddling you today?  And Harbor Freight had a Blue Light Special on tarps last week or maybe it was Kmart.

Mossey

no worries, I was sharing your confused remembrances. Blue light special on blue tarps - yikes - I missed it,

Cindy,  Russell and  "Harley dog" . Home is our little farm near Winchester TN

2018 Oliver Legacy Elite II - 2018 GMC 2500 Duramax 

"Die young - As late as possible"
ALAZARCACOFLIDMTNVNMOKORTNTXUTWAWYd56201

 

 

 

 

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SOLD   To anyone interested, I have a Progressive Dynamics, lithium compatible, 4060 converter/charger for sale, to the best offer.

If interested, please PM me.

 

I removed the converter/charger from our 2019 Elite II, before it was ever used and replaced it with a Lithium specific converter charger.

Turns out, I did not need to spend $272 to replace it, as the one we had was one of the lithium compatible chargers that could have been converted to lithium.

Andrew

1A21E63D-7446-4D78-B384-6ACA864B6F6D.jpeg

DEB96F3F-6AB7-43AE-8BD9-B0942E55AB2C.jpeg

70E2C866-DA8C-4344-B301-B96E7BC4EAD4.jpeg

Andrew

 

2019 Legacy Elite II  2018 BMW x5 35d 

 

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