New inverter ?

[Courser Farm]

Thinking of lithium batteries for our 2021 Cougar. Where do we find the specs for this upgrade? Do you brilliant folks know if we will need a new inverter? TYIA

[chuckster57]

I think you mean CONverter. Converter charges batteries and supplies 12VDC to the coach. An INVerter takes 12VDC and makes 110VAC.

You need to locate your converter, and with the model number you should be able to determine if it’s compatible with lithium ion batteries.

[Courser Farm]

Thanks!! Yes of course converter. My bad. ‘Preciate the help!

[JRTJH]

WFCO has some (specific models only) that are compatible with fully charging Li batteries. The "normal WFCO converters" will not damage Li batteries, they will charge them properly, but only to about 80% of the battery's capacity. It is "possible" but "very highly doubtful" that Keystone would have installed a "high performance Lithium battery specific converter" in any of their trailer lines.

So, you can "use your current OEM WFCO converter" but you will not get "maximum charge performance" from the converter and only about 80% of your Li battery capacity.

[Courser Farm]

Thanks- I found that it is a WF 9800 and it says "LA/AGM" so I'm checking further. Plus I haven't found it in the camper yet. haha.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Courser Farm

Thanks- I found that it is a WF 9800 and it says "LA/AGM" so I'm checking further. Plus I haven't found it in the camper yet. haha.

If I was looking, the first place would be in the basement, behind the rear wall.

[JRTJH]

You do need to locate your converter. Eventually you'll need to at least clean the cooling fan blades, so knowing where it's at is important.

That said, the WF-9800 is what WFCO calls a "Li compatible converter". That means it's in the 80% category I described.

The "Lithium specific converters" are the WF-8950L2PEC, WF-8950L2REP, WF-8950L2-MBA and WF-9850L2

There are also some "switchable converters" that can be set to operate efficiently with either type battery (Li or FLA) simply by flipping the switch... Those models have a "LiS" suffix on the model number. I've only seen one "in real life" and it was sitting on a shelf in a parts store in south Texas. The price caused me to start shivering and it was well over 90F outside.....

Here's the WFCO website that details most everything you'd need to know about battery types and what you'll need for the conversion to lithium batteries: https://wfcoelectronics.com/lithium-solutions/

Keep in mind that there are several "converter/charger" manufacturers and you are not specifically restricted to only using a WFCO converter/charger.

[Courser Farm]

Gonna find it in the morning. Sources say look behind the fuse etc panel beneath the oven. I’ll report back. You are all so helpful!