Is a New Converter Needed When Switching To Lithium Ion Batteries

Updated 03/09/2020 | Published 03/08/2020

Question:

My wife and I own a 2014 Evergreen Lifestyle 37 IK fifth-wheel trailer that has two Interstate GC2 6V deep-cycle lead acid batteries that were installed in 2014. We are interested in replacing the current batteries with a Lion Energy Safari 1300 UT battery and perhaps a second one later is there some module in the installed PD9270 converter available I can install that would properly charge the Lion Energy batterys.

asked by: George R

Helpful Expert Reply:

In order to effectively charge lithium ion batteries you will need a converter designed specially for this purpose as the standard lead acid converter you have now will not work well. For this, we have a few options which will be roughly based on the amp hour capacity of the battery bank. The Lion Energy Safari 1300 Battery is 12 volt with a 105 amp hour capacity. If you were only using only one then you would go with a 60 amp converter part # PD9160ALV but if you were using two (wired in parallel) then you would want to go with much higher 80 converter part # PD9180ALV.

expert reply by: Conner L