Charging and maintaining your lithium technology just got easier. Progressive Dynamics, Inc. has designed new all-in-one lithium-ion battery converters/chargers to meet stringent voltages requirements.
Lithium-ion batteries need special balancing circuits and chargers to prevent overcharging or discharging a cell beyond its specifications. These converters/chargers are designed for lithium batteries that typically store twice the energy of a lead acid battery at the same size and weight.
Testing The Benefits Of Lithium-ion Batteries
Tests conducted by Forest River, Inc. demonstrate the benefits of lithium versus lead acid batteries. Forest River, Inc. compared a single RELiON RB100 lithium-ion deep cycle 100 Ah battery with two dual lead acid 100 Ah batteries commonly used in its RVs.
It applied actual electrical loads and simulated the higher amp loads that RV batteries must be able to handle. As a result of this test, Forest River, Inc. has chosen to install the Progressive Dynamics, Inc. PD4060LIK converter/charger and the RELiON RB100 lithium battery in its New Forester/Sunseeker Ford Transit series.
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have many advantages over lead acid batteries. For example, lithium batteries:
- Have a longer life
- Do not freeze in extreme temperatures
- Have a lighter battery weight
- Can be mounted in any direction
- Have fewer maintenance requirements
- Are 95 percent energy efficient
- Are able to withstand corrosion
- Are lead-free
- Do not require a fully charged condition for storage
Lithium-ion batteries also offer faster charging times, charging to 99 percent of capacity in 2.5 hours. Conversely, lead acid batteries take up to 13 hours to charge.
The tests conducted by Forest River, Inc. also showed that lithium-ion technology performed well compared to lead acid batteries. Though the initial cost of lithium batteries is relatively higher, no secondary maintenance costs are required during the life of the battery. Plus, lithium-ion batteries have an average life span 10 times that of lead acid, increasing lithium’s long-term value.
About Progressive Dynamics, Inc. And Forest River, Inc.
Progressive Dynamics, Inc. provides products for RV, marine and the specialty vehicle industries. Its products are designed, assembled, tested, warranted and serviced in the United States. RELiON lithium batteries are sold worldwide. We are a distributor for Progressive Dynamics, Inc. lithium battery chargers as well as other PDI chargers.
Forest River, Inc. offers a wide selection of RVs, including travel trailers, fifth wheels, destination trailers, hybrid campers, pop-up campers, toy haulers and motorhomes. The organization also includes other divisions within the marine, housing, bus and commercial products industries.