Upgrading To Lithium Batteries In RV - Do I Need To Replace Power Center Or Converter?

Updated 01/13/2026 | Published 01/07/2026

Products Featured in This Question

PowerMax 30A RV Power Center and Distribution Panel - 45A DC Converter

(3)

$185.00

PowerMax 30A RV Power Center and Distribution Panel - 55A DC Converter

(4)

$195.00

PowerMax Wireless 50A RV Power Center and Distribution Panel - 60A DC Converter

(2)

$285.00

Question:

If I’m switching from lead-acid to lithium batteries, do I need to replace my entire power center or just the converter?

asked by: Natalie

Expert Reply:

Natalie, that depends on how your RV is set up. If your existing power center has a converter that isn’t lithium-friendly and can’t be replaced on its own, swapping the entire power center can be the cleanest solution.

Units like the PowerMax 45A # PM47VR, 55A # PM67VR, and 60A # PM77VR support lithium batteries and let you adjust charging behavior, so they’re often chosen when upgrading from older WFCO power centers like the WF-8945, WF-8955, or WF-8900 series.

If your current power center allows a converter-only swap, that’s another path - but many people prefer the all-in-one upgrade for simplicity. If you can get me the part number of your power center or at least some more info, I can see what the best plan of attack would be for you.

expert reply by: Andrew N

Micky

1/13/2026

Mine is an older WFCO panel and I don’t think the converter section can be swapped separately.

Andrew N.

1/13/2026

@Micky That’s somewhat common with older WFCO panels. And sometimes in order to swap to lithium-compatible, you'd need to swap the entire power center as well. In those situations, replacing the whole unit with something like the 45A for 30A RVs # PM47VR, 55A for 30A RVs # PM67VR, or 60A for 50A RVs # PM77VR is usually the simplest and most reliable way to make the lithium upgrade work properly. Do you know if your travel trailer / RV is wired for 30A or 50A power pedestal? And what amperage is your current converter/charger?