Converting to lithium

LiamD

LiamD

Joined
May 14, 2021
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Location
Hemel Hempstead, UK
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81,207
MH
Autotrail Expedition
Exp
Since 2015
I would like to change the 100Ah lead-acid leisure battery in my Autotrail Expedition 67 to Lithium.
I asked a supplier for a quote to have this done but was a little surprised at the cost.
Can anyone explain to me what it is I am getting and what each of the supplied components do.
Furthermore, is this a job that a reasonably competent DIYer could do for themself?

Thanks

IMG_9276.JPG
 
BB1270 is a dc to dc charger 70ah and is £408.00 at 12v planet

Bluesmart 30 is a 3 stage plug in charger £185, + £168 + £60 to fit seems high to me for a simple charger, when its easy to do your self, and can be had for £150

Looks like topband is probably a 150ah lithium battery, though Ive never heard of them. £899, there are cheaper at fogtsar batteries etc.

Hard to say of the fit costs are worth it, as these companies have to make money, but it is easy enough for as you say competent DIYer with some electric safety knowledge ,
there are plenty info on here and around the tinterweb to guide you through.

If you do it yourself......
230ah battery fogstar £630.00 (or even 229 for 105ah) https://www.fogstar.co.uk/collections/lithium-leisure-battery

IP SMART plug in charger £150

Shunt £136

BB1270 £408
OR victron 30am Dc to DC may do you £230.00 (as you are using a victron shunt and plug in charger anway so all in same )
+cables, connectors - time etc etc
 
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Id also think about adding some solar to that set up with a decent mppt (victron would be the obvious choice if you go victron for other stuff) if you dont already have some.
this is very handy though is 2019 and is lead acid, but gives you the basics in simple explaination


 
Agree with Tombola , perfectly possible to do yourself. Do lots of reading, ask lots of questions and do a bit at a time: I'd add the B2B and check that that works with existing set up, then add the charger, then add the lithium battery and the shunt at which point change over the charging profiles to lithium. Depending on the battery it may need a separate temperature probe to ensure no charging occurs below freezing.
 
Thanks for your input, it's been really helpful.
I use my van in winter for ski trips to the Alps and have had an underslung gas tank installed to cope with the demands of heating at these temperatures. Using gas for heating has kept me cosy on the trips I have done the last couple of years but I have relied on aires with EHU as I generally only have enough charge for a couple of days without it. I am hoping that upgrading to 150Ah of lithium would give me 4 or 5 days off-grid and allow me to try more places to ski. I don't really use much electricity, lighting, fans for heating etc and almost never use 240V appliances.
Solar is something I am planning to invest in next summer or beyond as it's less important for my current needs.

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Just checked the current leisure battery and found out that it is 75Ah.... Eek
Little wonder that it can't cope with the blown-air heating fans for long.
 
I have recently completed my own installation however I did use all Victron kit and and installed an extra 220w of solar on the roof in all around £3000 to do it you can get wiring diagrams from 12v planet to help you. If you are competent at wiring it’s fairly easy but you will need a few special tools like a good crimping tool and a good multi meter😊👍
 
I'm swapping my 2 x 100AH lead acid batteries for 2 x 105AH Fogstar Drift lithiums next week.
Fogstar have a black Friday deal on so the batteries are reduced to £300 each.
I'm also swapping out my Sargent lead acid charger for a Victron lithium charger, again from Fogstar, 20% off so only £40.
I already have a B2B, shunt and solar.
A competent diy'er can do it themselves.
 
Tombola said:
www.fogstar.co.uk

Lithium Leisure Battery - Fogstar Drift 12v 105Ah

105ah 12v Fogstar Drift Lithium Leisure Battery | Grade A LiFePO4 cells, JBD BMS, Bluetooth, Heating | Lowest Prices in the UK. 10 Year Warranty.
www.fogstar.co.uk www.fogstar.co.uk
Click to expand...
Yes I took advantage of the discount and bought 2 on Thursday.
It's a fantastic price for what is regarded as a good battery with a good BMS, bluetooth app and built in heating.

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Looks like they are charging £56 ph which is fair but it works out to 7.5 hours to do the lot which is quite a while, another £180 for parts, that is expensive cable and Mega fuses! Shunt is on offer here for £99 atm, they also sell some of the other stuff listed and do a MF 10% discount. https://offgridpower.solutions/shop...bluetooth?mc_cid=642516882e&mc_eid=b33ee4aad0

BB1270 is a Sterling Battery to battery Charger, you need this. Needs good ventilation and maybe doesn't give 70A output all the time, lots prefer Victron but personal choice.
Blue smart 30 is a Victron Mains charger giving 30A output, if no solar you will need this as well.
Topbarrel 150? That must be the battery and if it is that is expensive for 150A If you have the space you can put this in and nearly double the capacity for less money. https://offgridpower.solutions/shop/fogstar-drift-12v-280ah-lithium-leisure-battery

Last one is a the "Shunt", this monitors power in and out of the battery and if set up correctly more reliable information than the battery BMS which may get confused about the SOC, (state of charge , which is useful to know.)
I did my conversion and making the cable was the hardest part due to needing huge crimp tools.
Fogstar 280Ah Battery.
2 x Victron 30A B2B + fans
Victron Shunt
Cost me about £1400 all in, maybe a bit less as a mate found me some heavy cable.
Already have 300W solar and Victron MPPT so didn't change the mains charger, worked just fine since April this year but may need to plug in over Winter or deploy the 160W folding solar in Spain.
 
LiamD Fogstar 230AH lithium £630
I have no idea about the battery you have been quoted on.
I've never heard of them, nor has Google but £900 is dear for a 150AH lithium.

Screenshot_20231125_141731_Chrome.jpg
 
LiamD said:
I would like to change the 100Ah lead-acid leisure battery in my Autotrail Expedition 67 to Lithium.
I asked a supplier for a quote to have this done but was a little surprised at the cost.
Can anyone explain to me what it is I am getting and what each of the supplied components do.
Furthermore, is this a job that a reasonably competent DIYer could do for themself?

Thanks

View attachment 837556
Click to expand...
VanBitz fitted a Topband 150 for me, to replace the underseat 95ah AGM battery that was there. And also the 1270 BtoB charger. I don't have any basis for comparison as it's my first lithium, but the installed battery seems fine to me. They are a bit pricey but they may be priced correctly based on their quality? 🤷‍♂️. I guess what one gets will in part depend on the dimensions of the replacement battery - mine slotted into the same space.
 
Be sure you know what you are doing when installing a DIY project. It is quite possible to do it badly and cause a fire. I am not against DIY'ing stuff I do it myself, but you should know the risks involved.
 
My van is an Auto Trail Expedition 67, 2023. I have just about completed my solar /lithium /lpg upgrade. I would suggest if you want to go skiing off grid you will need to fit more battery - of course cost is the biggest consideration against how much you will be using your system and for what, for the rest of the year!!
I fitted:-
Thule roof rails,
x2 140w Victron solar panels
Victron solar controller 12v 100/30A
Victron b2b 12v100/30A
Victron Shunt 500A/50mV
1500W inverter Durite (12volt Planet)
280AH Fogstar Drift LiFePO4 battery.
Victron 240Vac/12Vdc 30A charger
Bus bars, fuses, wiring etc.
Be aware that you will have to isolate the existing split charge relay if using a b2b/lithium!
My biggest problem was making the hole in the van roof for the solar cables in the right place and then getting them to the system behind the side trim panels and wardrobe!
Good luck with your choice!
A helpful place for wiring /component costs maybe the climbingvan.co.uk/Nomadic Energy.
Sargent, for the information on the split charge relay isolation.
I am still able to use all the original Sargent controls, from the lithium battery, but never use their built-in charging.
Now cut down the gas consumption by using a little electric kettle, and a Sizzle induction hob - so far all good and glad I've done it!! Lots of work, takes longer than expected and that's only the basics!!
Hope that may be of use!
IMG_20230601_123026.jpg

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Langtoftlad said:
Surely you can't compare DIY costs against fitted price.

My concern would be the scrappy piece of paper the quote was written on.
Click to expand...
I know some excellent tradesmen who cannot use a computer and refuse to go near one. Also, we don't know the story. May have been scribbled down on a piece of paper while he was there for speed.
 
Not worried about the quote as I've had some excellent work done by the same firm already.
Just wondering how hard it would be to do the job myself and whether potential savings would be worthwhile.
 
LiamD said:
Not worried about the quote as I've had some excellent work done by the same firm already.
Just wondering how hard it would be to do the job myself and whether potential savings would be worthwhile.
Click to expand...
I would say yes and yes providing proving that your are competent to do it.
 
headlight said:
I've never heard of them, nor has Google but £900 is dear for a 150AH lithium.
Click to expand...

LiFePO4 Battery,Lithium Battery,Energy storage,Household energy storage| Topband battery

Topband battery specializes in lithium iron phosphate batteries. We design, reseach and produce cells, BMS and LiFePO4 batteries, providing high efficient lithium battery system solutions and services for customers wordwide. Now our reliable battery syste
www.topbandbattery.com www.topbandbattery.com

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looking at these prices made me start thinking about a generator again !
 
Hello everybody, I also want to switch these lead batteries to lithium and I wonder how to wire them, and what shouldn't do with that blue box where all the wires go to😬? I already know I need a dc-dc charger, and mains lithium charger.
Thanks



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