Casita 2012 Lithium upgrade, which converter do I buy?

[Quest4Quest]

I have a 2012 Freedom Deluxe that is getting a lithium battery. So, I need to replace the converter. It has the original Paralax 7300 converter under the bed/bench. After reading a ton of mods, I am confidently confused and unable to find the best option for replacing that converter so that it fully charges my new lithium battery. Does anyone here know a good quality system? This is the only one I can find any Casita specific applications: Progressive International PD4655LIV 55 Amp Lithium Replacement Section. Thanks for any input you can lend.

[PC Steve]

I used the PD converter you referenced two years ago and I've had no issues.

[Quest4Quest]

Originally Posted by PC Steve

I used the PD converter you referenced two years ago and I've had no issues.

Thanks Steve. I talked to a three different RV dealer service techs today, and oddly none of them completely understood how Lithium batteries charged, and why they needed a special power converter. In the end, they said they would install what Casita installs on their new lines (WFCO Power Converter with auto-detect). Cost wise, putting a whole new converter box in is about the same as using the PD converter in the same box. At least that is what I saw on first glance. What do you think?
I would rather just install a second charge controller unit, but not having any electrical savvy (I cannot even reliably wire a wall outlet), I must rely on others to do that. For example, here is a Victron DC-DC unit . This cost much much less, but without someone who KNOWS which one to install and how to install it properly, I don't know what else to do.

[CalCop]

A number of years ago, I upgraded to a lithium battery. I also changed out the converter to a PD4645 LIV, this is a 45 amp converter, because that's the Casita wiring is rated at. You only need to replace the bottom half of the converter and the circuit board. I too had a Paralax 7300 that came installed from the factory. So far the battery takes a quick and easy charge with no issues.
You tube can really be your friend on this.

[ShelbyM]

Your existing unit will charge the Li battery to 90+%. You could buy an inexpensive stand alone Li charger or a solar panel if you need that last bit. I'm not saying this is ideal but might be a good path since you have to rely on apparently uninformed techs. You'll still have about twice the capacity of the stock battery, even w/o the last few %.

[Quest4Quest]

Originally Posted by CalCop

A number of years ago, I upgraded to a lithium battery. I also changed out the converter to a PD4645 LIV, this is a 45 amp converter, because that's the Casita wiring is rated at. You only need to replace the bottom half of the converter and the circuit board. I too had a Paralax 7300 that came installed from the factory. So far the battery takes a quick and easy charge with no issues.
You tube can really be your friend on this.

I spent some time researching your suggestion, many thanks. Progressive Dyn website lists both the V and the LIV versions. I found these issues Issues: The V version has a switch on the panel that must be switched to Li or Lead or AGM. This is a small hidden technical procedure. The LIV version will do great harm (page 3 on link, does not state exactly what, blow up, fire, or just boil) to lead batteries. That is a real risk for anyone swapping a battery in a pinch or a new owner (like someone could just inherit this thing too). The systems should either have an easy and obvious switch, warnings, and a fail-safe. However, at least the regular V version will charge a Lithium and a Lead Acid with some technical knowledge. Thanks for the direction! I am looking down that avenue now.

[JLMathis]

I had no problem with my LifPo battery and the converter in my 2010 Spirit.