Is Progressive Dynamics Replacement Section 4655V Compatible with Lithium Batteries

Question:

Hey folks. Need some advice on a replacement a 2012 keystone passport ultralight travel trailer. I have a WFCO– 8955PEC converter in the current trailer. I have swapped out to one 100 amp hour lithium ion battery and I need to find a compatible converter for this battery. I have seen that the PD 4655V is recommended but one of your techs said that it’s not compatible with lithium. Can I get some clarification on whether or not this is the correct replacement for the above converter for my setup? Please and thank you.

asked by: Kyler P

Expert Reply:

Hey Kyler, thanks for reaching out! **UPDATE IN COMMENT SECTION - JUMPER LOCATION IS DETERMINING FACTOR**

The Progressive Dynamics Replacement Section # PD4655V is compatible with lithium batteries. There is a button on the board (see photo) that allows you to change it to a lithium setting.

Progressive Dynamics has gone back and forth on this topic a few times but it's mainly because the lithium battery market is still fairly new to the RV world so there was a lot of confusion in general. Since then, Progressive Dynamics has solidified their products so you can be confident this will work perfectly with your setup.

expert reply by: Jon G

Mode Button for Progressive Dynamics Replacement Section
(click to enlarge)

Kyler

9/13/2024

Thanks Jon. Much appreciated

Al S.

1/10/2025

Hi Jon, I just had my rv guy install a PD4655V in my travel trailer. It was shipped from ETrailer on 12/24/2024. The installation guide (replacement guide) from Progressive Dynamics says nothing about a Lithium Mode Button. The troubleshooting guide on the Progressive Dynamic website does describe a Lithium Mode Jumper, but not a button. What a mess! The installation guide should indicate what to do. I shouldn't have to search for it in the Q&A. It should have been on the guide that came in the box with the part. That's what i gave to the technician. I looked just now and I see that my board has the blue button. But how do I know if it is set for lithium? Will the button be popped out? Will it be pushed in? Or do I need to track the voltages the unit puts out when charging? And how would I do that? I've got a voltmeter, but what voltages should I be looking for? Note that I was given this part number (PD4655V) by ETrailer in response to a question about getting the right AC-DC charger for my new lithium battery. Usually ETrailer is spot on. Not too happy this time, at least not yet... --Al S

Jon G.

1/14/2025

@AlS Definitely understand your frustration, and I have a document straight from Progressive Dynamics that addresses this. Long story short, your converter should already be set to Lithium (all of them made after January 2023 are set this way) so you shouldn't have to do anything. I was a little off with the mode button in my answer above. This document from Progressive shows where a switch is at with that jumper you were talking about. You can check your circuit board where it's depicted in the document to make sure - https://www.progressivedyn.com/wp-content/uploads/Support/manuals/4600_test.pdf

Al S.

1/15/2025

@JonG Thanks for the link. Unfortunately I already came across that pdf on the PD website. It shows an old version of the board, not the board that I actually have, which matches the one in the picture you posted above. But rather than looking at the board, is there some way that I can tell that it's in lithium mode based on the voltages it puts out? For example, could I deplete the battery down to half and then plug the rig into shore power again and see what happens? The DC-DC charger that I bought from you at about the same time has details about it's operation in the user guide, including charging voltages, float voltage, etc. Is there someplace I can find similar info about the PD charger? The few pages of documentation that came with the PD unit don't say nuttin' about nuttin' concerning how it works. --Al

Jon G.

1/16/2025

@AlS I reached out to my tech contact at Progressive Dynamics to see what they had to say about all this and this is the reply I received: "The PD4600 series requires moving a jumper on connector H6 from WIZ to LI. You can measure the voltage at the output of the converter to confirm. The button only applies to the lead acid Wizard mode." So, it looks like I misunderstood what the "mode" button was for, and you need to move the jumper to LI for it to be in Lithium mode. Sorry for the confusion on this!