Why Upgrade Your Four Wheel Camper to a Lithium System: The Basil’s Garage Advantage

When it comes to maximizing your off-grid power capabilities, a lithium battery upgrade can be transformative. At Basil's Garage, we’ve seen firsthand how this upgrade enhances both the reliability and functionality of Four Wheel Campers (FWCs), especially for campers who value independence and flexibility. Here's why we recommend this upgrade, breaking down the top benefits of lithium technology for your FWC and how our installation packages are designed for peak performance.

The Power of Lithium: More Than Just a Battery Swap

Lithium batteries offer a high-capacity, lightweight alternative to traditional AGM or lead-acid batteries. They pack significantly more usable power in a smaller, lighter footprint, with a depth of discharge (DoD) that nearly doubles the energy available compared to AGM systems. This change doesn’t just mean more power—it translates to more freedom, allowing you to keep essential systems running longer and reduce the need for frequent recharges. Let’s explore the top reasons why this upgrade is worthwhile.

Fast and Complete Charging with DC-to-DC Technology

One of the most impactful benefits of a lithium system is the ability to achieve a full, rapid charge, whether from your vehicle's alternator or solar panels. The REDARC DC-to-DC chargers we install, such as the BCDC1225D and the Manager30, use a multi-stage charging process that charges lithium batteries fully to 100% rather than the 80% typical with older relay-based VSR systems. This multi-stage process (bulk, absorption, and float) is ideal for lithium batteries, protecting them from overcharging and undercharging while maintaining optimal health and performance.​. With DC-to-DC charging, you also benefit from faster recharge times off the alternator, meaning you spend less time charging on the go and more time enjoying your off-grid setup. The integrated MPPT solar regulation in the Manager30 even boosts solar efficiency by up to 25%, maximizing power intake from solar panels and reducing the need to rely on the alternator.​

Advanced Battery Management System (BMS) and Real-Time Data Monitoring

For campers looking to track their power usage, the REDARC Manager30 includes a built-in Battery Management System (BMS) that provides real-time data monitoring. The BMS continuously monitors your lithium battery’s state of charge, current flow, and temperature, safeguarding your system by automatically disconnecting loads if the battery reaches a critically low charge. This level of monitoring is essential for lithium batteries, which are sensitive to voltage changes, helping to extend battery lifespan and reliability.​. Through the REDARC RedVision app, you can access the Manager30’s data from your smartphone, checking real-time statistics like charging status, battery health, and remaining capacity. This control means you always know exactly how much power you have and how long it will last, helping you plan your usage and ensuring you’re never left without power.

Lithium Batteries Compact, Lightweight Design with More Usable Power

Lithium batteries are much lighter than their AGM counterparts, reducing your vehicle’s load and improving ride quality. Despite this lighter weight, they offer greater energy density, meaning you get more usable power in the same footprint. This is a key benefit for campers with limited space, as you gain additional power without needing to increase battery storage capacity​. With lithium, you can use up to 90% of the battery's capacity without risking long-term damage, whereas AGM batteries only offer about 50% usable capacity. This added depth of discharge makes lithium ideal for extended off-grid adventures, letting you keep critical devices running longer without frequent recharges.

Basil’s Garage Lithium Upgrade Components

There are four main components in a Lithium system upgrade on a FWC.

  • The Lithium Battery. Each individual is going to have their own use case and power needs. This will increase or decrease the battery size needed and will drastically vary from camper to camper. Storage space, power usage, and budget all play into this. On average, we’re building 100ah to 300ah systems but have built ones with 500+ ah of storage for very heavy power draw systems.

  • The DC to DC charger. Different-size chargers are available for larger or smaller battery banks, and options for real-time data display of the inputs, state of charge, and time to full/empty are available. These chargers are sized off of what we consider the “optimal” camping trip, camping for an extended period of time, then firing the rig up to move to the next campsite, and driving 2-4 hours between spots. We want your DC to DC charge to fully charge your lithium battery bank off of the alternator alone in that 2-4 hour driving time.

  • Solar panels, size & type. We treat solar as a supplemental charge to extend the time we stay parked in one spot, not as the main source of charge, as there is no guarantee it will produce power. You might have surfboards on the roof, be parked below a tree, or be in the PWN under a blanket of clouds for days on end. We highly recommend having solar panels on the roof of your camper, but we also love portable solar blankets. These can be used if there’s gear on the roof or to add in as an additional charge when parking somewhere for an extended period of time. Solar panel size & type can vary depending on how much space you have on the roof and how large the charger is.

  • Adding an inverter to power 110v accessories. Most FWCs are set up in a way where the 110v outlets inside of the camper only turn on when plugged into shore power. This is because there is no inverter in the campers from the factory. An inverter is a device that converts 12v power to 110v power to run household accessories (laptops, computer chargers, coffee machines, etc.). Inverters can be added to any system and are sized according to what the customer wants to run off of them. Our go-to recommendation is a 2000w inverter, this can handle just about everything you’d want to bring camping, but isnt excessive.

Common power system builds & estimated costs

  • This is our go-to base package. It includes a 25a DC to DC charger, a 100ah lithium battery, and upgrading the wire gauge size internally and from the alternator back.

    Estimated cost - $2,500

  • This is the perfect system for someone who wants more juice and the in-depth monitoring the Manager 30 offers. This system takes over Shore power, solar, and alternator charging. Battery size can vary, but it is usually around 200ah. Paired with rewiring from the alternator back and the shower power side, this is a great all-in-one system.

    Estimated cost - $4,500

  • Inverter sizing can vary, but the standard go-to is a 2000w inverter from REDARC with a remote on/off the screen. This allows you to run a coffee machine, charge computers, a small blender, or anything in that range. The inverter can usually be installed in an out-of-the-way location and wired in a way that is accessible through the factory 110v outlets. Additional outlets can be added.

    Estimated cost - $1,500

  • We commonly install a 120-180w REDARC solar panel onto the camper roof. This is a glass panel and is MUCH more efficient than the thin, flexible type. Plus, they last longer and are more robust units. They do add a bit more weight to the roof.

    Estimated cost - $1,000

All of our systems can be custom-tailored to your use case. We’ve built power systems strong enough to run air conditioning units for 10+ hours, Starlink units indefinitely, or even charge E-Bikes. These systems are all designed based on the customer's input on what they want to power in their camper and budget.

Please contact us if you’re interested in upgrading your FWC to a lithium-power system. Put together a basic list of what you want to power, what model camper you have, how old it is, and any other details that you may find helpful, and contact us via the link below!

Please note: We do not install customer-supplied electronics or work on partially installed systems. We do this to guarantee that the system works as it should and that all wiring/components are safely installed. The only exception that can be made is batteries.