Progressive Dynamics PD9160ALV 12V Lithium Ion Battery Converter/Charger - 60 Amp

PRODUCT: This unit is well build with a robust heat sink not seen on other products. It is rated for 60A @ 14.6vdc. However, it actually puts out about 65A. This is a good thing right? Well not in my case. I have a 60A max charge, 80A max discharge BMS. So the BMS would shut down and not accept the charge from this unit. I had to put a load in series to drop the amperage down to below 60A. I cycled the batteries twice, charged twice as the initial test. It held 14.4v and 65A constant. With a 5 amp load, I could cycle this unit. So overall I give it 5 stars because my situation is not normal, I understand. However, I had to return it because it did not meet my needs. I have an off grid system with auto gen start if the batteries get too low. So I cannot be there 100% of the time so I need this to work independently. But other than my unique situation, what a great product for LiFePo4, 4 cell, 12vdc setup.CUSTOMER SERVICE: I initiated a return and indicated the unit provided 65A and not 60A as advertised. The company did not give me any problems. They accepted my return without even questioning me. What a GREAT COMPANY.Please buy this product from this company with no worries. This seller stands behind their product 100%. My refund was processed the day after I returned it via UPS. The return package was delivered back to the company in 24 hours and my refund was processed within 30 minutes of the company receiving the return package. I would give 10 starts. Please check your BMS maximum charge amperage. If your BMS is 60A or below, you will need to add a load (light plugged into an inverter possibly?) to get the charging amps to the BMS/battery below 60A. If your BMS is 65A or higher, buy this unit from this company with confidence. I returned with the original packaging, and owners manual.

I've used Progressive Dynamics converters/chargers since my first trailer in 2008. My current 2014 rig came with one for the original OEM lead-acid batteries. Now 10 years old, the lead-acids were done, and the obvious was to replace them with the newer Lithium batteries. The charge voltages and cycles are different for Lithium batteries and they require a Lithium specific charger. Purchased this Progressive Dynamics exact physical replacement-- fit exactly where the OEM was, wires all went to identical places, the OEM control pendant, voltage and current monitoring stuff all plugged right in and worked just fine. As a note, the dealer wanted $1600 to replace the original two 70Ah lead-acid batteries. I bought two Lithium 100Ah batteries PLUS this made-for-Lithium converter charger for less than 1/2-- $675 counting sales tax. The dealer quoted $4200 for them to do the Lithium conversion.

UPDATE! I've been trying to figure out why my Battle Born Lithium Batteries were not fully charging. After talking to Progressive this morning they confirmed that this converter should not be used with lithium batteries and that it was designed for Lead Acid batteries. That was after us testing everything on the Airstream trying to figure out what was causing the issue. He finally had me read the model # to him and that was the issue.My new Airstream came with a WFCO that is suppose to auto detect the battery type and it failed due to the distance Airstream installed it away from the batteries. This one doesn't auto select, so it solved my problem. I just hooked it up and it worked.

I ordered a PD9160ALV, both the picture and the literature said it was a PD9160ALV. this is what I wanted, that is why I ordered it. I received a PD9160AL. it has a hook up for the charge wizard (which I did NOT want). The label on the converter is also different. The one I wanted actually said "Lithium" on the label. The one I received did not. Currently do to the pandemic I had already thrown away the shipping box, wasn't in a factory box. Not going to install till I get my confirmation from Progressive Dynamics that it either the same or not. I am leaning that it is not. I will update this after I receive confirmation.UPDATE; Called progressive Dynamics and confirmed that it is the correct charger/converter. This is an older model that charges continously at 14.4 vdc and must be turned on and of to not damage the batteries. I used a shut-off module and hooked it to the Victron BMV-712. Then programmed the BMV-712 when to turn it on and off. Works great and no need to disconnect when installing an inverter.

This review is based on using this charger for a single 280Ah (four 3.2V in series) battery pack in a small single axle RVBLUF: It's a decent charger for the money. Its lightweight, actually does 65A and is "intelligent" as in tapers off to nothing when the battery is fully charged.The Good: It does 65 Amps. honestly that is all I can say. It has enough for two 4AWG connectors for both the positive and negative. It seems to load sense, like when I have a few lights on, and the battery is fully charged, the ammeter reads zero, but lights are still on. So it pushes out enough power to keep the juice right at 14.3-14.5The Bad: It only does 65A for about 30 minutes. Then it tapers off to 50A for a few hours, and eventually tapers off further until charged. I would have liked it to go full bore 65A until damn near the end since it is marketed as a 65A charger, but perhaps its designed that way based on the chemical composition of the battery. There is no on/off switch on this thing. As soon as you plug it in, its live. I have never seen any piece of electronics without a simple on/off switch.This is specific for Lithium batteries that like the higher voltage. Only reason I am taking a star off is because there is not even the most basic on/off switch. I have this as my new power supply in my RV, so I disconnected the input to the stock charger and have this going to the 15A breaker in the box. Its the only way to actually shut it down. Also if your battery is charged and you turn it on, it wont really kick in until you have lost some juice.