I am wanting to replace my Group 24 lead acid with a Group 27 lithium in my 2017 320. I understand it will not fully charge as-is. To charge the battery while driving, I was considering the Victron Orion-Tr Smart 12/12-30A isolated DC to DC charger. To charge from house current a LiTime Smart LiFePO4 charger. Does this sound correct and what am I missing. I think I need fuses at the + for each battery and maybe a disconnect on the DC to DC for when I use the LiTime charger. If anyone has a schematic it would be greatly appreciated. The TV is a 2015 Lexus RX with tow package that includes an upgraded alternator.
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First, for use with mostly shore power camping, an upgrade to the WFCO converter was really not needed. In my case if boondocking for a prolonged period my rig has a solar port and my portable panel has a charge controller and a Lithium setting, so it will charge the batter to 100% and balance the cells. I use a small LiTime 10amp lithium charger that fits next to the battery and can plug in the the cargo area, so when on shore power I can disconnect the battery and fully charge overnight.
Second, on my TV it seemed a lot of work to connect a DC-DC charger. And it is not cheap. We get a small trickle charge of around 2.5 amps when driving on the current 7 pin connector. That results in a net minus 2.5 amps when the frig is running while driving and over 2 drive days to Florida recently it cost me only 10% of my new lithium battery.
So for needs the DC-DC system was overkill and I saved a lot of time not wiring up something I can't say would provide any benefit. Your needs, of course may be different.
2019 T@B400 Boondock Lite "Todd"
2013 CS-S us@gi
2015 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab
A consideration is how smart the alternator is. Will it provide full current when you want it? Do you have to turn the headlights on? Something to research.
Another consideration is that the Orion DC DC 30A is inefficient. If not adequately cooled it will derate due to over temperature and lower the output current, by half. I'm experiencing this on my boat and am about to switch to their more efficient, smaller XS 50A version.
2013 Toyota Highlander 3.5L V6
2017 T@B S Max, Blue and Silver -- "The Blueb@rry"
Ken / 2023 Tab 400 “La Bolita” (29,000+ miles) / 2024 Toyota Sequoia
2025 - 1 Trip - 25 nights - 2 National Parks
2013 CS-S us@gi
2015 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab
2013 CS-S us@gi
2015 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab
2020 Honda Ridgeline RTL (AWD) Lunar Silver Metallic w/Bluetti Charger 1
North Texas - Retired Air Force/Corporate Trainer
Trips - 48 Mileage - 63,452
"Favorite trip will always be our next one"
2013 CS-S us@gi
2015 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab
2017 F-150
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho