Converter / Charger recommendation

[Jerryr]

I’m replacing my lead acid battery with a 100 AH Renogy Lithium battery. Looking for recommendation for a Converter / Charger that’s lithium capable. https://www.renogy.com/12v-100ah-lit...y-w-bluetooth/ I expect at some future time I’ll add additional batteries.

It needs to be a reliable unit with good value

I searched but couldn’t find an answer. Thanks in advance.

[Scott'n'Wendy]

I'm looking at the PD9160ALV. I haven't bought it yet, but it is the one I'll likely buy based on reputation/value. If you are going to be adding more batteries..maybe go to the higher amperage unit (80a)

[FT4NOW]

I put the 9160ALV in my 399 when I swapped to lithium. Worked well, no complaints, would purchase again.

[Jerryr]

Thanks for the recommendations. I ordered a 9160ALV from Amazon, arriving tomorrow.

[FT4NOW]

Thanks for the recommendations. I ordered a 9160ALV from Amazon, arriving tomorrow.

You will probably note a difference on the new and old converter 120v ground wire. The stock unit most likely has a copper line looped through the grounding connection whereas the new one has a terminal (it will make more sense when you see it). You can just cut the loop and enter both ends in the terminal, or re route the ground wire as needed depending how they wired your original converter.

[Jerryr]

You will probably note a difference on the new and old converter 120v ground wire. The stock unit most likely has a copper line looped through the grounding connection whereas the new one has a terminal (it will make more sense when you see it). You can just cut the loop and enter both ends in the terminal, or re route the ground wire as needed depending how they wired your original converter.

Thank for the tip.

[HarryB]

I ordered the converter Model # PD9160ALV from etrailer. MSRP is $350.00 but etrailers price was $257.13.

[Jerryr]

I ordered the converter Model # PD9160ALV from etrailer. MSRP is $350.00 but etrailers price was $257.13.

Etrailer is a great source which I’ve used many times.

But

Amazon has same price when I ordered yesterday. Amazon 2 day delivery, free returns for any reason with free return shipping and 5% cash back on Amazon credit card makes Amazon my first stop. Plus ordering with Amazon Smile gives a small donation to ASPCA.

[Jerryr]

Received the PD 9160ALV from Amazon yesterday, installed it today. At 76 years old, 250 lbs I swear this will be the last time I do these things. It was an easy installation if I were 40 years younger. It wasn’t easy getting in and out of the basement, contortions connecting everything my body hurts. After this I decided to hire a mobile tech to repack my wheel bearings.

My original converter only charged to 13.6 v and the 9160ALV brings it up to 14.6 volts.

Here’s a graph after turning on the new 9160ALV.

[xrated]

I'm not a fan of any LFP charger that outputs 14.6V for charging the battery. 14.6V will charge a bit faster than say an output of 14.2V or 14.4, but the 14.6V is equal to 3.65V per cell which is the very maximum that a LFP battery cell should ever be taken to. In order words, why stress the cells to the upper limit of voltage when charging them, when 13.8V or 3.45V per cell will fully charge a LFP battery...albeit taking longer to charge than a higher number voltage.

My choice was a MeanWell NPB-750-12 converter/charger, which has DIP switches that allow several different charging profiles....Gel, Flooded Lead Acid, and AGM....plus the ability to make your own voltage setting numbers if you buy the programming panel....I didn't. So my choice was to use the Flooded Lead Acid setting (set to 3 stages of charging) which outputs 14.2V on bulk, and ends up on 13.4V on float. The float setting, which is a lower voltage than it takes to fully charge LFP batteries (13.8V) keeps the battery in a safer voltage point, and not at fully charged....which is good for LFP batteries. You should never store them fully charged and keep them at that level, as it does stress the battery and will eventually lead to shortened life.