I’m trying to figure out what I need to upgrade my leisure battery bank to lithium.
My campervan is pretty old and has a 60 amp dumb alternator. I’m mostly off grid and use my alternator to mainly charge my batteries (often just by having the engine idle). I’m looking to install a ±200ah lithium battery bank as leisure batteries and am looking for a solution that charges the fastest without needing to swap the alternator (I’m not even sure a smart alternator exists that will fit on my engine).
I’ve tried to research what I need but keep coming up with more questions than answers. I don’t like the idea of my alternator frying… or, it taking forever to charge ±200amps.
What would be best for my situation? Or should I just stick to agm?
In your case I would consider adding a 30A DC to DC charger between the starter battery and the lithium battery. 30A long term on a 60A alternator should not overheat it.
Something like the non isolated Orion 12/12-30. You could consider the Orion XS 50A model, this may be too high for a 60A alternator but the output current limit is configurable so you can check your alternator temperature and back the max current off. It is also more efficient. In both cases the domestic battery needs to have a common negative. Using a Cyrix will not limit the alternator output, the lithium battery will draw as much current as possible.
I’m debating whether or not to go for the xs 50 amps over the tr 30. Also a bit worried it might be too much. But if it’s configurable to the point where I can tweak best case scenario to hit peak output in my situation… it might be worth it. I just don’t think there’s a bigger alternator to get for this engine… but if I can find one at some point, or even if I move the whole system to a more modern campervan with abigger alternator at some point, atleast I’ll have the overhead…
I just want to be able to charge 200amps as fast as possible without frying things with what I currently have to work with. And I’m basically doubling my capacity so I don’t like the idea of theoretically having to run the engine for 6-7 hours for a full charge with just 30 amps. (worst case scenario because I wil also charge with solar).
The Orion XS can be configured to limit the input amps or the output amps. Therefore as noted above you can reduce the output based on alternator temperature. The Smart Orion products are older and do not have the adjustable charge.