Progressive Dynamics 9180ALV charger/converter - 80AMP charging, 20AMP AC outlet

[herman2021]

I will be upgrading the charger/converter in my 2020 Reflection 303RLS to support Lithium batteries. The Progressive Dynamics 9160ALV seems to be popular on this forum. Has anyone considered the 9180ALV? It will charge at 80 amps instead of 60 amps so it will charge faster. It requires a 20-amp AC outlet though. My RV is in storage so I can't check to see if the AC outlet the stock WFCO charger uses is 20-amp (I'm curious if any of the outlets in the storage compartments are 20-amp as well). Does anyone know? Also, I am hoping the existing battery wiring from the charger to the front-compartment will be OK for the extra boost in current, the existing breakers are adequate, etc. It would sure be nice to charge quicker, especially when using a generator. Any downsides to going with the 9180ALV instead of the 9160ALV?

Jeff

 

[huntindog]

I will be upgrading the charger/converter in my 2020 Reflection 303RLS to support Lithium batteries. The Progressive Dynamics 9160ALV seems to be popular on this forum. Has anyone considered the 9180ALV? It will charge at 80 amps instead of 60 amps so it will charge faster. It requires a 20-amp AC outlet though. My RV is in storage so I can't check to see if the AC outlet the stock WFCO charger uses is 20-amp (I'm curious if any of the outlets in the storage compartments are 20-amp as well). Does anyone know? Also, I am hoping the existing battery wiring from the charger to the front-compartment will be OK for the extra boost in current, the existing breakers are adequate, etc. It would sure be nice to charge quicker, especially when using a generator. Any downsides to going with the 9180ALV instead of the 9160ALV?

Jeff

I did this on my momentum recently. 4 BB batteries, 9180ALV convertor, Victron monitor and batery guardian. Like you, I was concerned about the 20 amp requirement. I actually bought an outlet, box and wiring so I could make it work. When I got into it, I found that the existing convertor was plugged into a 20 amp receptacle mounted on the back side of the breaker box. It is controlled by a 15 amp breaker though. I can see no reason why a 20 amp breaker could not be used though. The receptacle is stamped 20amp, and is mounted/wired directly to the box/breaker. But the 15 amp breaker has been working fine. I returned all of the items I had purchased except the breaker, I will carry that around for awhile in case the 15 amp one becomes an issue. I do not believe it should though, as the specs fall into what a 15 amp one should be able to handle. I had 6ga wires from the convertor to the batteries. That is cutting it a little close depending on just how long the wires are. After the install I checked for voltage drop and warm wires. It passed both tests So I am using it as is. This made for a very simple swap.

 

[orbiker]

I did the Progressive Dynamics 9160ALV converter. It draws all the power throughout the whole charge. I don't like working anything to their limit, so I feel the 60A is a good decision.
I have 4 lithium batteries and some solar.

I figured Progressive Dynamics created this list for a reason. KEN

 

[huntindog]

I did the Progressive Dynamics 9160ALV converter. It draws all the power throughout the whole charge. I don't like working anything to their limit, so I feel the 60A is a good decision.
I have 4 lithium batteries and some solar.

I figured Progressive Dynamics created this list for a reason. KEN

What limit are you concerned about?

 

[orbiker]

I did the Progressive Dynamics 9160ALV converter. It draws all the power throughout the whole charge. I don't like working anything to their limit, so I feel the 60A is a good decision.
I have 4 lithium batteries and some solar.

I figured Progressive Dynamics created this list for a reason. KEN

What limit are you concerned about?

The limits of the wires. The limits of the poor quality outlet.
Also; If you are drawing lots of power to charge on say line 1 and others things are also using line 1.

I don't like to be over worked at work. Slow a stead will win the race. KEN

 

[JCR GD]

I agree with Ken. I wouldn't go with a bigger converter than what is already installed (for the reasons he listed.)

I just went through the same thing and was happy to find a 75amp already in my Momentum so I went with a 75amp lithium version.

FYI, I called GD with my VIN to find out what converter was installed cuz I couldn't get into the basement area before ordering the new converter. They were happy to help!

 

[huntindog]

I agree with Ken. I wouldn't go with a bigger converter than what is already installed (for the reasons he listed.)

I just went through the same thing and was happy to find a 75amp already in my Momentum so I went with a 75amp lithium version.

FYI, I called GD with my VIN to find out what converter was installed cuz I couldn't get into the basement area before ordering the new converter. They were happy to help!

And I am willing to bet that you have 6ga wires. The same as on my Momentum.

 

[JCR GD]

And I am willing to bet that you have 6ga wires. The same as on my Momentum.

Yes, but the OP has a 303 Reflection. It may not be set up the same.

 

[huntindog]

Yes, but the OP has a 303 Reflection. It may not be set up the same.

That could be true. My point was that your Momentum had 6ga wires and came with a 75 amp convertor. Which means the my unit with the same wires can be upgraded from the 55 amp unit it came with.
The chart that Ken refers to is a guideline to keep those that do not have a complete understanding of what is involved in making sure the wiring is capable. In many cases the chart will undershoot what is actually possible.... And that is a good thing.

But for those that know how to use a volt ohm meter, they do not need the chart. They can install what their actual wiring can handle.

 

[jmbopp]

I talked with a Battleborn rep yesterday. He says a 50A charger is the max for a single 100AH lithium battery.

 

[orbiker]

I talked with a Battleborn rep yesterday. He says a 50A charger is the max for a single 100AH lithium battery.

You might need to call him back and listen a little closer.

I'll bet he said something like: the battery will take up to 50 amp charge.
So if you have a 60a converter like me, with 4 lithium batteries; they are only getting 15a each.

That's not a lot, but way faster then a converter into a wet cell battery. 15a in till it's done, per hour. KEN

 

[yobigal]

I have 2 Battleborns and the 9160ALV convertor. The one time that I drained my batteries down the OEM wiring got pretty warm until they got charged back up so be careful with a larger convertor.
I also had an issue with the OEM resettable breaker tripping. I going to change it because its not big enough for a large amp draw that occurs when batteries are drained low.

 

[jmbopp]

You might need to call him back and listen a little closer.

I'll bet he said something like: the battery will take up to 50 amp charge.
So if you have a 60a converter like me, with 4 lithium batteries; they are only getting 15a each.

That's not a lot, but way faster then a converter into a wet cell battery. 15a in till it's done, per hour. KEN

Yes, 50A per 100AH battery. So if you have 4 - 100AH batteries you can use a 200A charger.

 

[deeuubee]

I have 2 Battleborns and the 9160ALV convertor. The one time that I drained my batteries down the OEM wiring got pretty warm until they got charged back up so be careful with a larger convertor.
I also had an issue with the OEM resettable breaker tripping. I going to change it because its not big enough for a large amp draw that occurs when batteries are drained low.

There's a lot more information needed to understand why you have that issue.
Wires get warm normally, that's why they have a temperature rating. A normal 90℃ (194 ℉) rated wire would feel way too hot to touch, yet be totally safe.
Breakers trip both on over current and/or temperature for many reasons... loose connections, over current, corrosion, faulty breaker.
Check all of those things first, but NEVER put in a larger breaker than the wire is rated for.
Believe me, it well worth the aggravation to reset the breaker than have your RV burn down.

 

[barr0208]

im looking to upgrade to lithium in my 295rl wfco has one WF-9875LiS does 70 amps and will charge regular batteries and agm and lithium would that be enough for a 100 amp lithium battery?according to wfco it will work with my panel i already have.

 

[JCR GD]

im looking to upgrade to lithium in my 295rl wfco has one WF-9875LiS does 70 amps and will charge regular batteries and agm and lithium would that be enough for a 100 amp lithium battery?according to wfco it will work with my panel i already have.

Just FYI, If you go that way, be sure you can actually get one. WFCO told me a few days ago all the 75s were back ordered 'til mid May sometime. (I was looking for a stand-alone so if yours is integrated into the panel, those might be available, but...?)

 

[Heavysledz]

Have you considered doing a dedicated 20A receptacle that goes directly to the charger? Every shore power post I have seen has either a 50amp or 30amp hookup as well as a 20amp standard outlet. Same goes for every generator. This would remove most of your concerns except possibly the gauge of wire from the charger to the battery bank.

 

[huntindog]

im looking to upgrade to lithium in my 295rl wfco has one WF-9875LiS does 70 amps and will charge regular batteries and agm and lithium would that be enough for a 100 amp lithium battery?according to wfco it will work with my panel i already have.

Battle Born says a 100 amp battery should not be charged at over 50 amps. Not sure about other brands.

 

[barr0208]

Battle Born says a 100 amp battery should not be charged at over 50 amps. Not sure about other brands.

ok so that model would charge 2 -100 amp lithiums without a problem

 

[deeuubee]

[MENTION=37786]Heavysledz[/MENTION] - Such a great idea. Thanks.