Straight answers for switching your RV, van or boat to LiFePO4.
Plain guides to choosing a battery bank, keeping your charger from cooking it, and fixing charging problems.
- Hands-on guides
- 6 clear topics
- RV, van & boat
Explore by topic
Six sections built around the real decisions in a lithium conversion, from choosing a bank to fixing a charger that will not cooperate.
LiFePO4 Basics
Before you spend a dime on a lithium upgrade, it helps to understand what you are actually buying. This section covers the…
20 guides
Chargers and Converters
The single biggest fear when switching to lithium is simple: will my charger cook the new battery? This section answers it. We…
20 guides
Solar Charging
Solar and lithium were made for each other, but only if the panels, wiring and controller are set up right. This section…
20 guides
Alternator and DC-DC
Charging lithium from your engine sounds simple, but wiring it wrong can smoke an alternator or leave your bank half full. This…
20 guides
Installation and Wiring
A lithium bank is only as safe as the wiring around it. This section covers the physical build: cable sizing, fuse selection,…
20 guides
Troubleshooting and Cold Weather
When a lithium bank misbehaves, the cause is usually one of a handful of things, and cold weather is near the top…
20 guides
Editor's picks
The guides most people need first. Read these and the rest of the site makes far more sense.
Latest articles
Most read this month
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05
Lithium questions people ask us most
Will my RV converter charge a lithium battery?
Sometimes, and sometimes it will undercharge the bank or run hot. It depends on the converter's charge voltage and whether it has a lithium profile. Our guide on RV converter lithium compatibility walks through how to check yours.
Do I need a DC-DC charger to charge from my alternator?
In most modern vehicles, yes. Wiring lithium straight to the alternator can overload it or leave the bank half full. See do you need a DC-DC charger for the full picture.
Why won't my lithium battery charge in the cold?
LiFePO4 cells can be damaged if charged below freezing, so the battery's BMS blocks charging to protect itself. Read charging lithium below freezing for your options.
Is lithium really worth the money over lead-acid?
For most people who use their power regularly, yes, once you count usable capacity and lifespan. We break down the math in is a lithium upgrade worth it.
How many amp hours do I actually need?
It comes down to your daily energy use and how long you go between charges. Our amp hour sizing guide gives you a simple way to work it out.