Do I Need New Converter for Lithium?

[Charles Braddock]

Post below extracted from TucsonJim's Lead-acid, AGM, or Lithium Battery thread. -Moderator Howard

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From the jist of the conversation, the converter in a 2021 Imagine 2600RB will not charge lithium batteries properly? I want to make switch to Lithium but need to know if I need to upgrade the converter. If so, what would be a good choice.

thanks


2021 2600RB. Pull with an 2017 F150 Ecoboost. I live in St Augustine Florida

[TucsonJim]

Hi Charles.

Your 2021 Imagine is equipped with a WFCO WF-8955 Power Center/Converter. The main electrical distribution center is in the top of the unit, and the converter is wired into the bottom. Your converter will charge LiFePO4 batteries, but it's not very efficient at it. I'd suggest you change it to a LiFePO4 dedicated converter to get the quickest and most efficient charge from your batteries.

WFCO is now offering a converter that you can swap with your original without having to change out the entire power center. The WFCo - WF8950L2-MBA is designed to be switched out in about 10 minutes. I'm attaching a link below for more information on it.

https://wfcoelectronics.com/product/wf-8950l2-mba/

Jim

[TucsonJim]

Charles Braddock - Just a note. Your signature line says your model is a 2020 2600, but your post says it's a 2021.

Jim

[JOZ]

I have the same question. I have a 2021 Solitude 310GK with Solar Prep. I want to upgrade to Lithium batteries before adding the solar panels, but unsure if I need to also upgrade the power converter or not.

[Country Campers]

I have the same question. I have a 2021 Solitude 310GK with Solar Prep. I want to upgrade to Lithium batteries before adding the solar panels, but unsure if I need to also upgrade the power converter or not.

Yes you will need to upgrade to a Lithium friendly converter to get the best performance for charging your Lithium batteries while on shore power.

Brian

[howson]

I have the same question. I have a 2021 Solitude 310GK with Solar Prep. I want to upgrade to Lithium batteries before adding the solar panels, but unsure if I need to also upgrade the power converter or not.

Brian answered your question--I'd like to say "Hi!" as that was your first post and point you to the Welcome Letter to New Members

[ncitro]

I have the same question. I have a 2021 Solitude 310GK with Solar Prep. I want to upgrade to Lithium batteries before adding the solar panels, but unsure if I need to also upgrade the power converter or not.

To add to what is said here, they will work on the stock converter, but will not charge optimally, and depending on the BMS used in the batteries you could possibly do some harm to them (unlikely imo). For what you will be spending on the batteries figure a new converter into your upgrade. One of the advantages of lithium batteries is they accept charge much faster than conventional batteries. You will want a larger converter to take advantage of that anyway so make the upgrade.

The caveat to this is if you are also going to be installing an inverter with a built in charger that supports either lithium batteries or a custom charge profile (Victron MultiPlus or Magnum come to mind) then you can leave your converter in place and disable it (or remove it altogether). Let the inverter/charger do the job of the converter and you will be just fine. This is what I have done, and I have my factory converter to fall back on if my MultiPlus fails.

[Teeder1]

I have the 2020 Reflection 315RLTS, I'm assuming that I should replace my converter as well as I am upgrading to a LifePo4 battery this spring.

[TucsonJim]

I have the 2020 Reflection 315RLTS, I'm assuming that I should replace my converter as well as I am upgrading to a LifePo4 battery this spring.

I sure would. It's rather inexpensive when compared to the battery price.

Jim