Lithium Battery Installation

[Kayleigh]

I like the look of those. Are you thinking of replacing or adding a second battery under the drivers seat?

 

[jackster]

I like the look of those. Are you thinking of replacing or adding a second battery under the drivers seat?

Replacing. I'm no expert but I think you would need two of the same battery which I think would be overkill. One of these would last days, and we tend to move every couple of days so it could recharge then...welcome any other views...

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Replacing. I'm no expert but I think you would need two of the same battery which I think would be overkill. One of these would last days, and we tend to move every couple of days so it could recharge then...welcome any other views...

Only downer is the huge price. Ordinary batteries for the California are around £150 while these are £850. But, everyone has a right to spend their money anyway they want.

 

[WelshGas]

Replacing. I'm no expert but I think you would need two of the same battery which I think would be overkill. One of these would last days, and we tend to move every couple of days so it could recharge then...welcome any other views...

Have you sorted out the charging? I gather they do have some specific requirements and I'm not sure the VW charger or Split Charging system with the variable voltages of the smart alternator are upto the task. Likewise, they don't like the cold. It can all be sorted but I don't think it is a simple drop in replacement.
Some reading from some who have converted to Lithium.

Search results for query: Lithium battery

www.t6forum.com

 

[jackster]

Only downer is the huge price. Ordinary batteries for the California are around £150 while these are £850. But, everyone has a right to spend their money anyway they want.

That's true, but it's basically 3 batteries worth of storage, and it means I can forego the solar panel. It's not working as it is. I have to run the engine for 25 mins everyday at the moment to get enough to last through 24hours. That's before my kids charge all their gizmos too

 

[Kayleigh]

Actually these batteries have about 5 times the storage when you consider that only about 50% of an agm battery is usable. The lithium ones can be run down to zero if you need to. You also would need to change the split charger to something like the Victron Orion TR Smart charger. Not sure of the affect on warranty for that.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Here's something new I've found... 200ah under seat lipo4 battery. Custom shape for the T5 or T6 swivel chairs so wayyy more capacity which would sort out my 2021 Beach which has one rubbish factory fitted battery which can only run a fridge for 24hours.

Anyone tried or got an opinion on these? Can they just be dropped in as a replacement? Are the t6.1 chairs exactly the same size?

12V 230Ah Seatbase Lithium Battery — Roamer Lithium Batteries

The Seatbase LiFePO4 fits perfectly under a campervan swivel seat. With premium compact cells providing 230Ah of useable capacity and a high power BMS...

roamerbatteries.com

We have had Dometic cfx35 fridge plugged in 24/7 for past 3 months running off 2 x 100w solar panels. Have not needed to hookup at all.

 

[Amarillo]

Here's something new I've found... 200ah under seat lipo4 battery. Custom shape for the T5 or T6 swivel chairs so wayyy more capacity which would sort out my 2021 Beach which has one rubbish factory fitted battery which can only run a fridge for 24hours.

Anyone tried or got an opinion on these? Can they just be dropped in as a replacement? Are the t6.1 chairs exactly the same size?

12V 230Ah Seatbase Lithium Battery — Roamer Lithium Batteries

The Seatbase LiFePO4 fits perfectly under a campervan swivel seat. With premium compact cells providing 230Ah of useable capacity and a high power BMS...

roamerbatteries.com

That battery is rated for 120 amp continuous discharge. How long would that take to boil 750ml of water in a 12 volt kettle from a temperature of 12C?

I make it 188 seconds in theory. Probably double that in practice.

 

[Vegas 2020]

Fixed.......the Lipo4 batteries were out of balance and the BMS (Battery Management System) had shut them down. I've now got a fully working twin Lipo4 leisure battery setup with solar set to full lithium settings and the VW split charger providing bulk power if needed. My 1600 watt inverter will now power hair dryer, coffea machine or any high output item and the batteries bounce straight back when done. Twin 84amp batteries allow 1720 watts of power + 80% depth of discharge giving very little degradation to the batteries compared to 900 watts of 75amp + 50% depth of discharge of AGM batteries Solar allows maximum amps at all times to head straight for batteries regardless of capacity without throttling for lead based. Lipo4 Batteries built in BMS stops overcharge, undervolt or anything the existing system throws at it that are above or below its parameters. Still testing, but having owned my van from new (14 Years) so far I'm totally impressed. Nespresso Coffee and wife and daughter with blown dry hair......result! If interested please let me know!

Sounds like a very successful transition to lithium batteries. Have they built in electronics ( the batteries ) ?
Noel.

 

[ArildV]

Hello

Is it okay to use the ordinary charger in the Cali T5 2008 when upgrade to LiFePO4 batteries?

 

[Kayleigh]

Maybe check out this chap on You Tube - Zico Torre ‘@soundskribble’. He upgraded batteries to lithium on an early T5 Cali.

 

[JustChris86]

£1650.00 all in. Yes its worth it in my opinion. I never have to worry about the leisure or cranking battery again especially during the winter months. My daughter as she gets older will require more creature comforts to tolerate coming with us. I've had the van from new (14 Years) I've not spent a penny other than servicing and maintenance. I now have unlimited power which requires no maintenance and should last for decades. I've gone top end by using Victron components but cheaper alternatives are available. A set of alloys and wheels cost the same! We go skiing in the alps in the winter and tow a 6mtr boat to Annecy and South of France in the summer. Being off grid and not tethered to campsites is important to us.

Without being plugged into an electrical hook up, are you able to use the 240V UK plug socket to run the hair dryer and the nespresso machine with the leisure batteries as Lithium? I wasn't sure if the socket was somehow protected to stop those items running as they are higher power than what the AGM would be able to cope with.

 

[wildslammer22]

Without being plugged into an electrical hook up, are you able to use the 240V UK plug socket to run the hair dryer and the nespresso machine with the leisure batteries as Lithium? I wasn't sure if the socket was somehow protected to stop those items running as they are higher power than what the AGM would be able to cope with.

I assume you mean the socket on the end of the kitchen? If so no, you would need an inverter for that. There is a low power inverter fitted in the T6 & 6.1 (not sure about the T5) which runs off the leisure batteries with the socket either on the b pillar (t6 150w) on seat base (t6.1 300w) but neither can run a hairdryer or coffee machine.

 

[Cali Phillip]

Does installing one of these lithium batteries affect the insurance as its a significant change from the original battery set up and insurance risk assessed based on.

 

[WelshGas]

Does installing one of these lithium batteries affect the insurance as its a significant change from the original battery set up and insurance risk assessed based on.

Probably not but I would inform the Insurers just in case.