Lithium battery and charging upgrades • Benicia, California
More confidence in your Solis power system.
Want your Winnebago Solis to support longer stays off grid and recharge during your driving days? Avalon-RV helps plan lithium battery, alternator-charging, solar and monitoring upgrades around your van and the way you travel.
Start with the appliances you want to run, your time between hookups and your typical driving day. We review the complete charging system before recommending equipment.
Build the system around your trips
A Solis used for winter mountain trips can need a different design from one used for summer weekends. Tell us what you want to improve: more usable battery capacity, better charging while driving, clearer battery monitoring, or a combination.
Coach year, chassis year, factory equipment and previous modifications all matter. A Solis 59P or 59PX model name alone does not establish which batteries, alternator or chargers are installed.
- Battery storage: Match capacity, physical location and temperature protection to your camping needs.
- Charging while driving: Review the alternator, charging controls and existing wiring.
- Shore and solar charging: Check whether the installed equipment can be configured for the selected lithium batteries.
- Monitoring: Choose a way to see battery use and charging performance that makes sense to you.
Can I charge lithium batteries while driving?
Yes, with a charging system designed for the vehicle and battery bank. A configurable DC-DC charger such as a Victron Orion XS can regulate battery charging and limit current drawn from the vehicle. Its settings and engine-running control need to match the installation.
We review the factory charging path before deciding what to retain, replace or disconnect. If an isolator also supports an emergency-start function, that needs to be considered in the design.
Would a second DC-DC charger help?
It may increase charging capacity when the vehicle and battery system can support it. The alternator’s advertised rating alone does not establish the spare capacity available for house-battery charging. Vehicle loads, operating conditions, wiring and the battery’s charge limits must be reviewed before recommending another charger.
We assess the charger’s input demand on the alternator as well as its output to the house batteries. Adding the output ratings of two chargers is only part of the capacity check.
How long would recharging take?
A useful planning estimate is amp-hours to replace ÷ average net charging amps = charging hours. For example, moving a 200Ah bank from 20% to 90% state of charge replaces approximately 140Ah. If the battery actually receives an average net 50A, the arithmetic is 140 ÷ 50 = 2.8 hours.
This is an illustration, not a promised result for a Solis. Net charging current accounts for power being used by the van’s house loads. Available alternator output, temperature, charger limits and battery charging behavior affect the actual time.
What about snow trips and batteries mounted outside?
Tell us if you camp in freezing conditions or have batteries mounted beneath the van. We will review battery location, protection and whether a heated battery or a different location fits your project. Charging must follow the selected battery manufacturer’s temperature requirements.
Also tell us what you want to see on your phone or battery monitor. Temperature display, heating controls and system-monitoring features depend on the exact equipment selected.
What determines the installed price?
Your estimate depends on battery capacity and location, charging equipment, wiring access, existing system condition, monitoring and any requested inverter work. A battery-only price does not describe the cost of integrating a complete charging system.
We can discuss the essential work and optional additions separately, including preparation for future expansion. Share an investment range if you have one so we can discuss a scope that fits your priorities.
Start your Solis project with Avalon-RV
Our shop is in Benicia, California. We focus on RV electrical systems, including lithium batteries, solar, inverters and battery monitoring. Meet the Avalon-RV team or explore our adventure van power systems.
In your project request, include:
- Your Solis model, coach year and chassis year, if known.
- Current batteries and charging equipment, plus previous electrical changes.
- The appliances you want to run and how long you camp between hookups.
- Typical driving hours and whether you travel in freezing weather.
- Your target dates, investment range if known, and ability to bring the van to Benicia.
Drop-off and pickup are arranged during business hours. Installation timing depends on the final scope, parts availability and the shop schedule.
Further reading
For background on configurable vehicle charging, see Victron’s Orion XS overview and charging controls and configuration guide. Final equipment selection and settings are specific to your vehicle and batteries.