Changing to a Lithium Leisure battery (27 Viewers)

[chris1949]

We have a 2021 Burstner 745 and want to change the leisure battery to one with more storage capacity. I have been receiving conflicting information as to whether I can do a straight swap for the 85 Ah lead acid to a 200 Ah lithium battery (of the same physical size). We have a Burstner fitted 120 watt PV cell on the roof. Some say yes, just change it; others say no because the Burstner charger isn't compatible. Any advice please? Thanks, Chris

 

[DBK]

It is possible to just change them but I don't think you will get the best life or performance out of the battery unless the solar controller and the mains charger have a lithium setting. You should also consider fitting a B2B for rapid charging after running the battery down.

 

[DT]

We have a 2021 Burstner 745 and want to change the leisure battery to one with more storage capacity. I have been receiving conflicting information as to whether I can do a straight swap for the 85 Ah lead acid to a 200 Ah lithium battery (of the same physical size). We have a Burstner fitted 120 watt PV cell on the roof. Some say yes, just change it; others say no because the Burstner charger isn't compatible. Any advice please? Thanks, Chris

I had the same idea but my understanding was that there is no economical way to make the change and I did not want to spend £1k plus.

 

[chris1949]

It is possible to just change them but I don't think you will get the best life or performance out of the battery unless the solar controller and the mains charger have a lithium setting. You should also consider fitting a B2B for rapid charging after running the battery down.

Thanks, nothing's simple!

 

[chris1949]

I had the same idea but my understanding was that there is no economical way to make the change and I did not want to spend £1k plus.

Thanks, nothing's simple!

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[Jimbohorlicks]

I would just change to the lithium. Your battery charger will not charge it to full capacity if its a standard pb acid charger but it will charge it to 90 % or so which is still better than the amps in your 85ah battery. If you travel a lot then a b2b charger is ok but if you spend days at one place then it may not be that cost effective. I would consider increasing your solar and changing your controller to a lithium compatible mppt.

 

[WillysMB]

You say Burstner... Fiat Ducato cab ??? I did a straight "drop in" of a Fogstar drift 230 (Under the drivers seat) Lithium battery on my 2023 model ..... the 2023 will charge directly from the Alternator and don't think it needs a Lithium specific charger, Get in touch with them and ask the question direct ...
No idea as to how you van is setup re position of the Leisure batt

 

[chris1949]

I would just change to the lithium. Your battery charger will not charge it to full capacity if its a standard pb acid charger but it will charge it to 90 % or so which is still better than the amps in your 85ah battery. If you travel a lot then a b2b charger is ok but if you spend days at one place then it may not be that cost effective. I would consider increasing your solar and changing your controller to a lithium compatible mppt.

Thanks. We tend to spend most of our time 'off grid' preferring to find quiet locations but usually move on every couple of days so the engine will charge the battery if it isn't being charged by the PV cell. Cheers

 

[Jev88]

Get advice about whether you should disconnect the split charge relay as lithium battery can try to pull lots of charging amps as they accept charge so much faster than lead acid.
B2B replaces the mechanism.

 

[chris1949]

You say Burstner... Fiat Ducato cab ??? I did a straight "drop in" of a Fogstar drift 230 (Under the drivers seat) Lithium battery on my 2023 model ..... the 2023 will charge directly from the Alternator and don't think it needs a Lithium specific charger, Get in touch with them and ask the question direct ...
No idea as to how you van is setup re position of the Leisure batt

Yes, it is on a Ducato chassis with the L Battery under the seat. When you say "get in touch" do you mean Burstner or the selling dealer (who we have found to be as much use as a chocolate fireguard).

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[WillysMB]

Hi Chris ..Go direct to Fogstar ( or your chosen supplier ) .... the only thing I had to do was buy some new M 8 or M 6 ??? threaded rod to replace the short
ones for a standard battery

 

[chris1949]

Hi Chris ..Go direct to Fogstar ( or your chosen supplier ) .... the only thing I had to do was buy some new M 8 or M 6 ??? threaded rod to replace the short
ones for a standard battery

Many thanks, I'll give it a try.

 

[WillysMB]

Seat Base Lithium Leisure Battery - Fogstar Drift 12v 230Ah

Seat Base Lithium Leisure Battery 230ah | Grade A EVE LiFePO4 cells, JBD BMS, Bluetooth & Heating. Just £799.99 with a 10 year warranty.

www.fogstar.co.uk

 

[chris1949]

Seat Base Lithium Leisure Battery - Fogstar Drift 12v 230Ah

Seat Base Lithium Leisure Battery 230ah | Grade A EVE LiFePO4 cells, JBD BMS, Bluetooth & Heating. Just £799.99 with a 10 year warranty.

www.fogstar.co.uk

Thanks again.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

We are changing to Lithium when we get back from Portugal / Spain. I quickly learned that once you have started there all sorts of bits you might as well get if you are going to make the most of it. Plus if like me you don't have the skills to understand the electronics part, someone else needs paying to do it. I reckon it will be over £2,000 but I also think over the next few years we will recover a reasonable Chinese of that by not needing electric. Then there's the peace of mind issue.

Before appointing someone to do the work, I recommend checking the fitter and their recommendations out with one of the experts on here.

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[Lenny HB]

Drop in replacement is marketing BS you will never get the best out of the Lithium.

You have said you spend most of your time off grid so you could get away with the EBL on the Gel setting for the odd night on EHU.
You will need a B2B to protect both the battery and alternator, your solar controller needs to have a Lithium profile.