We have a 2021 Scamp and are planning to install solar. We want to see what we use first before making any decisions. However, I would like to upgrade to lithium. Is current system (power converter, etc.) compatible with lithium?
Sat, 03/20/2021 - 20:14
#1
Lithium battery
Follow the steps in our solar guide in Resources.
https://scampowners.com/solar-scamp-trailers
The last steps are panels and solar controller. Probably the most important is battery selection, since a really good battery setup can eliminate the need for solar panels for weekend campers.
Lithium is a great option, but pricey. Just completing our Lithium conversion and only doing it as we are transitioning to Full Time.
The progressive chargers do have a model that accommodates Lithium, but not sure what model Scamp uses now. Can you post the model you have?
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@Greg A: The link you posted is broken
It's more than likely your Scamp charger is designed for lead acid batteries, not lithium, and if you make the change to lithium you must replace the stock charger with one designed for lithium. Also, your vehicle's charging system has different voltage setpoints than what is required for Lithium batteries so that is also a consideration for making the switch. One plus for lithium is that it is much less sensitive to temperature than lead acid, but they do not accept a charge when temperature goes below freezing. They will discharge at temps down to about 4°F, though.
I installed a 100 ah LiFePO4 battery in my 2017 scamp 13 2 years ago. The existing Intellipower 9100 SLA charger did not provide adequate voltage to fully charge, so i bought the 9100 model for Lithium, and made the switch. HOWEVER, there is a cheaper solution.IntelliPower sells a dongle (a Charge Wizard) that will allow the user to force the charger to its highest charge voltage which would be completely satisfactory. BUT...the stock wiring on my scamp , charger to battery, is 10awg wire. At max 30a charging, the voltage drop to the battery is almost a volt, so the charger thinks the battery is up to voltage way before it actually is.. Ideal would be 6awg wire... but I just added another 10awg wire externally, and things are working fine. When in back country, I keep things charged with a 120w folding portable solar unit with a Renogy Voyager charge controller set to peak charge voltage of 14.4v, and again, all is spiffy.
Not recommending this for everybody, but I added a solar panel, installed a 100 amp hour lithium battery, a 15 amp battery charger and unplugged my stock power converter. A new lithium compatible power converter would have been several hundred dollars and with solar and cheap ($50) battery charger it is not a must have item, for me anyway.
I installed a 12vlt electric chest type fridge and use my old gas powered fridge for dry good storage. The gas fridge rarely worked well. The 100 amp lithium battery with solar works fine most of the time, occasionally I do need to use the battery charger and shore power (generator) for an hour a day or less when parked in the shade. My Scamp is a 19 footer.