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Hi Graeme, at this point in time, I would not be too quick to fit a Drop-In type lithium battery until all the facts are in about whether they are compatible with all the different vehicles out there.
As for the so called “Drop-Ins“, they don’t explain how you need to set them up.
If you use a standard VSR isolator, because a lithium battery has a settled voltage of 13.2v or slightly higher, and because an isolator needs to see a voltage of 12.7v or lower before they turn off, the isolator will not turn off until the lithium battery goes flat.
In the mean time, the lithium battery will continually back discharge into the lead acid cranking battery.
This is great for the cranking battery as it will always be fully charged, not too sure how the lithium battery will stand up to that sort of use long term.
Other possible problems are that some vehicles with smart alternators run at as low as 12.4v, but the lithium battery will keep the operating voltage at around 13v.
This could mean the vehicle’s Battery Management System will see the higher voltage and either cause error messages or will not try to charge the cranking battery until the lithium is again flat or near flat.
In this situation, the cranking battery should stay charged.
As above, too many unknowns yet.
The safest way to use a lithium battery is to keep it separated from the cranking battery and charge the lithium battery with a DC/DC device.
Personally, IMO, just a lot simpler to fit another lead acid battery for now.
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