Dimension check: LiTime 12V 230AH

geoB
geoB Member Posts: 115
in Battery/Electrical & Solar

Can someone confirm that the LiTime 12V 230AH lithium battery (19" x 6.7") will fit in a 2021 T@B 400 BD? I'm guessing it will, but…

While I'm here, if it fits, are there any necessary accessories for this?

Thanks in advance.

2020 Toyota Highlander + 2021 T@B 400 BD 
Truckee, CA, expat, now driving out of Reno
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  • qhumberd
    qhumberd Administrator, Moderator Posts: 835
    edited May 10

    I swapped out the 2 Harris AGMs in our 2019 400 with this battery, and it fit the space with a little room to spare. Suspect if these were the same AGMs in your year, you should be fine. I did not need any cable changes either. The old ones fit fine.

    2019  T@B400 Boondock Lite "Todd"
    2016 Toyota Tundra 5.7 Crew Cab
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  • geoB
    geoB Member Posts: 115

    Hey, thanks! Our trailer also has Harris AGMs. I'll go ahead and order now. It's time to hit the road.

    2020 Toyota Highlander + 2021 T@B 400 BD 
    Truckee, CA, expat, now driving out of Reno
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  • qhumberd
    qhumberd Administrator, Moderator Posts: 835

    Speaking of accessories, while you are taking out the old batteries, you should consider a shunt if you don't have one already. And be aware of the WFCO converter unless it has the Lithium detect in it and it works, you will need to consider how to top off your new battery to full charge. Folks use a small lithium charger or use their solar reset for lithium. Have a great trip

    2019  T@B400 Boondock Lite "Todd"
    2016 Toyota Tundra 5.7 Crew Cab
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  • geoB
    geoB Member Posts: 115

    Thanks for the suggestions. I find myself looking for a "How to replace your AGMs with Lithium batteries."

    For example, how do I identify a WFCO converter?

    A Victron SmartShunt is available locally.

    As for charging, I'm assuming we'd be best off if we got the batteries up to 80% or more on shore power before we go anywhere.

    Any other gotchas?

    2020 Toyota Highlander + 2021 T@B 400 BD 
    Truckee, CA, expat, now driving out of Reno
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  • geoB
    geoB Member Posts: 115

    Another dope slap! I've opened the panel a whole bunch of times and never noted the label on front: WFCO. Model WF-8955PEC. Looks like a board replacement is required. Have you done a board installation? Any comments on the installation process?

    2020 Toyota Highlander + 2021 T@B 400 BD 
    Truckee, CA, expat, now driving out of Reno
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  • qhumberd
    qhumberd Administrator, Moderator Posts: 835
    edited May 15

    @geoB Note that many folks (including me) did not upgrade our WFCO. It will partially charge the new lithium on its own, but to get to a full 100% and cell balance, you can get a lithium specific charger and use it when you have shore power, or if you have solar you can reset the controller to lithium mode and it will fully charge the battery when you have sufficient sun. LiTime recommends the storage state for that battery (between trips) be around 60% or so.

    Some more info on this situation and solutions is here :

    https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/19666/isolating-a-non-lithium-compatible-wfco-converter-when-upgrading-to-lithium
    2019  T@B400 Boondock Lite "Todd"
    2016 Toyota Tundra 5.7 Crew Cab
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  • Horigan
    Horigan Member Posts: 876

    We didn't touch the WFCO. We just added this Victron charger in parallel to the WFCO and solar chargers. It's been working great.

    https://bluemarine.com/products/victron-blue-smart-ip67-charger-waterproof

    image.png
    Rich
    2019 T@b 400
    2025 Toyota Highlander 2.4L Turbo
    Bellingham WA
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  • geoB
    geoB Member Posts: 115
    edited May 12

    @qhumberd Thanks for the link. The more I look at what it takes to move to lithium batteries, the more it looks like a rabbit hole. So, a simplifying thought. Given that our trailer has solar panels, can they & shore power charge a lithium battery sufficient to boondock for three days? And avoid all the other issues like converters and charging devices.

    2020 Toyota Highlander + 2021 T@B 400 BD 
    Truckee, CA, expat, now driving out of Reno
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  • qhumberd
    qhumberd Administrator, Moderator Posts: 835

    For 3 days if charged to 100% prior to leaving using the solar should be fine. I doubt you will drop below 70% as the frig is likely the biggest draw when boondocking, And if Sun and campsite you may recover what you use each day and stay near full

    2019  T@B400 Boondock Lite "Todd"
    2016 Toyota Tundra 5.7 Crew Cab
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