What Needs to Change to Go From Lead Acid to Lithium Trailer Batteries

Question:

I have been running to Group 31 Lead Acid batteries 190 mins @ 25 amps on my travel trailer for 2 years now and was looking at my batteries and noticed one is down to 8V. I was thinking about replacing with and new lead acid but then discovered the new lithium batteries. We do a lot of no power campground camping and I hear lithium can get has a lot of advantages but is it worth it? What would I need to match or slightly increase my battery capacity? Would I need to change the charger off my tow vehicle to charge the batteries while driving? Do you need to change the inverter for shore power? Seems like I could be spending thousands of dollars to make money he switch.

asked by: Jeff T

Expert Reply:

Lithium batteries really are much nicer than lead acid batteries in terms of how well they hold a charge. There is a much bigger investment required though as the batteries themselves are more expensive you need to use chargers designed for them since they charge at a higher voltage. You would need a new charger from your tow vehicle as well as the inverter from shore power to accommodate this.

For a Group 31 battery that is lithium you'd want the part # 34282738. Then for a lithium charger you'd want the part # PD9130LV for a 30 amp charger or # PD9160ALV for a 60 amp charger. Then for a charger from the tow vehicle you'd want the part # RED69FR.

expert reply by: Jameson C