Lithium Battery Install

[rocket rod]

I'm about to install a lithium battery in the rear of my D4 and the DC-DC charger requires an ignition lead to be connected. Does anyone know if there is such a wire near the rear of the car I could pick up from? Preferably the driver's side.

[Tombie]

You can use the feed for the Caravan plug - switched.
Or perhaps the Aux socket in the rear (it will wake when car is unlocked).

What are you doing for a supply feed?
Even with a DcDc unit you need fat cable [emoji6]

[drivesafe]

Hi Rod, all new European vehicles, including Land Rovers, have an accessories/fridge circuit in the S12 plug ( white Plug ).

This circuit is only live while the motor is running and is ideal for controlling a DC/DC ignition feed.

[rocket rod]

You can use the feed for the Caravan plug - switched.
Or perhaps the Aux socket in the rear (it will wake when car is unlocked).

What are you doing for a supply feed?
Even with a DcDc unit you need fat cable [emoji6]

Got a Traxide system and potentially removing it but using it's cables

[drivesafe]

Hi Rod and what are you trying to achieve?


Depending on the type ( brand ) of lithium battery, you will need to fit at least a 100Ah to a 120Ah lithium to equal the capacity you have now, and the only advantage would be a weight saving of about 5Kg.


But you will loose a fair bit of cabin/cargo area.


Even if you fit something like a Sterling 60 amp DC/DC charger, you will still need to drive for a long time to replace what your existing system can replace.


As many of the lithium batteries will not tolerate 60 amp charging, and if you fit anything smaller than the 60amp DC/DC charger you will need to drive many hours more to recharge the lithium compared to what existing system can do.


No other system looks after your cranking battery like your existing system does.


So again, what is the reason for going to a lithium battery?

[rocket rod]

Tim, I'm adding a 100amp slim lithium to the rear underfloor storage area of my 5 seater so it doesn't take up any space at all. I'm going to add photos and write up about this but won't start the job for another 2 weeks or so. The reason I'm adding this battery is, for the past 3 years of the Traxide system I've only ever got about overnight use before the low voltage cut out happens and the fridge goes off. With the lithium I'm hoping to get 2-3 days before charging. I know the Traxide system is good the for the starter battery but also, as a principle of mine, I would really like to leave the starter battery to it's original purpose and not for accessories duty as well.

I am all about weight saving and this is the reason I may take out the Traxide DBS but I'm still tossing that up as it's not much of a saving. I have two camping setups, one with a camper trailer with AGM battery and one without trailer. The Traxide could still supply the trailer, plus a fuse box I have under bonnet, but I've been told by the tech at Projecta that the specific lithium charger I have will also charge AGM batteries on my trailer so it may have a dual role depending on the setup is use.

Anyway it's a work in progress project. Thanks for all your input.

[drivesafe]

Hi Rod, you should have raised the problem sooner as this is not right.

Most people get at least 2 days use and for yours to go flat so quick, there is a problem.

If the problem is something like driving times, then you will have an even bigger problem when trying to recharge the lithium battery as it is a much slower process and requires much longer drive times.

Can you post up your normal driving habits?

[matti4556]

I'm adding a 100amp slim lithium to the rear underfloor storage area of my 5 seater so it doesn't take up any space at all. I'm going to add photos and write up about this but won't start the job for another 2 weeks or so.

Looking forward to the write-up and photos Rocket Rod. New projects are always a good catalyst to new thinking. I am very familiar with the Projecta IDC25 - is that the one you plan on using (with Lithium mode) ?
Matti

[Tombie]

Looking forward to the write-up and photos Rocket Rod. New projects are always a good catalyst to new thinking. I am very familiar with the Projecta IDC25 - is that the one you plan on using (with Lithium mode) ?
Matti

Shouldn’t that read “New projects are an opportunity for unconstrained thinking”

When planning a new project, not being constrained by concepts of new or old needs to be factored. As well as initial trouble shooting and review of current systems and why they may be underperforming.

[emoji41]

[matti4556]

Shouldn’t that read “New projects are an opportunity for unconstrained thinking”

When planning a new project, not being constrained by concepts of new or old needs to be factored. As well as initial trouble shooting and review of current systems and why they may be underperforming.

[emoji41]

Yes Tombie, I would agree with that. I also enjoy the notion of someone "having a crack". Matti

[Milton477]

I'm curious as to why you are only installing a 25A DC2DC instead of a 40 or 50 amp unit like the Enerdrive unit.

[Tombie]

I'm curious as to why you are only installing a 25A DC2DC instead of a 40 or 50 amp unit like the Enerdrive unit.

Depending on what battery he intends to use will have a big influence on performance.

For example the AMPS 100ah LiPo will do 20a Optimum charge current

Could be:
Cost
Size
Battery capability

[emoji6]

[rocket rod]

On holidays hence late reply to the various questions.

Being in WA anywhere is a long way so I'm on the road sometimes for days on end. I dont use the battery when at home so every trip will give it a little top up. I have the projecta lithium charger. It's 25A, was cheap for name brand, MPPT included and is the recommended charge rate for the battery. It won't take up any space as it's going underfloor where 5 seater tool kit goes, although now I have the battery it's 1cm too tall. Bit of carpet cutting coming up.

One thing i am after is a cheap battery monitor, not a volt meter as I've got them. All models I've seen like victron, enerdrive, ctek are around $300 or more. That's the same price as the charger! Any other options people are using out there?

[rocket rod]

To answer my own question about a battery monitor I've found this 100A Battery Combo meter monitor with shunt - State of Charge Indicator | Coulometer - AMPTRON - Sustainable Power Solutions, Lithium Batteries, Battery Chargers, Power Monitors, Power Packs, Solar Power (https://www.amptron.com.au/100a-battery-coulometer-monitor-with-shunt.html)
They are located in Perth which is a bonus for me too.

[DiscoJeffster]

To answer my own question about a battery monitor I've found this 100A Battery Combo meter monitor with shunt - State of Charge Indicator | Coulometer - AMPTRON - Sustainable Power Solutions, Lithium Batteries, Battery Chargers, Power Monitors, Power Packs, Solar Power (https://www.amptron.com.au/100a-battery-coulometer-monitor-with-shunt.html)
They are located in Perth which is a bonus for me too.

That’s nice. I have a cheapie from AliExpress and while it tells me current out, voltage and power consumed, it can’t tell me inflow and can’t compute current capacity based on inflow and outflow.

[Dagilmo]

To answer my own question about a battery monitor I've found this 100A Battery Combo meter monitor with shunt - State of Charge Indicator | Coulometer - AMPTRON - Sustainable Power Solutions, Lithium Batteries, Battery Chargers, Power Monitors, Power Packs, Solar Power (https://www.amptron.com.au/100a-battery-coulometer-monitor-with-shunt.html)
They are located in Perth which is a bonus for me too.

That looks good. And at a reasonable price.

[LRD414]

..... battery monitor I've found this 100A Battery Combo meter monitor with shunt - State of Charge Indicator | Coulometer - AMPTRON - Sustainable Power Solutions, Lithium Batteries, Battery Chargers, Power Monitors, Power Packs, Solar Power (https://www.amptron.com.au/100a-battery-coulometer-monitor-with-shunt.html)

Is this to monitor aux or cranking battery performance?
Please keep us updated if you go ahead, interested to see where it will be mounted etc.

Regards,
Scott

[drivesafe]

Is this to monitor aux or cranking battery performance?
Scott
You can not actually monitor the cranking battery performance with any meter that is a low side monitor.

You can easily use it on auxiliary batteries of any form, but tampering with the negative on any Land Rover's cranking battery may lead to other problems, and this applies to most new vehicle makes.

Those decides are also plentiful on the net.

[rocket rod]

Is this to monitor aux or cranking battery performance?
Please keep us updated if you go ahead, interested to see where it will be mounted etc.

Regards,
Scott
Scott, it's for the Aux battery only.

Doing the install now but it will take a while as I procrastinate about the best way to do things. Currently have the battery installed and tied down but have several options as to where to put the DC charger, monitor and cabling.