Newmar Lithionics Expansions: Add Capacity to Your Factory Bank
Many Newmar diesel pushers leave the factory with Lithionics lithium, and those systems have room to grow. We've been an authorized Lithionics dealer for over ten years, and as Quartzsite's exclusive Lithionics dealer, we add matching Lithionics batteries to Newmar coaches, convert AGM coaches to a factory-style Lithionics system, and add solar and Victron charging so you can leave the generator off.
Six 320 Ah Lithionics modules in a 2023 Essex we expanded
How the factory system works
Newmar's factory Lithionics systems, and where they have room to grow
Lithionics comes standard on the Newmar Essex, Newmar's top of the line, and is available on other Newmar models. On the Essex, Newmar also offers a third Lithionics battery as a factory option, so if your coach left the factory with two, there's a ready spot for a third.
Factory setups vary by model and year. We see both 630 Ah and 320 Ah Lithionics modules, paired with an external 400 A BMS. On models below the Essex, there's room for a 320 Ah module right next to the factory 630, an easy way to add capacity.
The Lithionics BMS is set up through the Lithionics Bluetooth app and reports to the coach's system over the RV-C network, and we configure it as part of the job.
Not sure what your coach has? Call 520-261-2950 with your year and model and we'll help you find out.
External 400 A BMS and Victron MPPTs in a 2022 New Aire, all cables in loom
The external NeverDie® BMS at a glance
The external BMS on Newmar factory Lithionics systems, and on some Winnebago models, is the Lithionics Single Channel NeverDie® BMS.
Current rating
400A continuous. 325A continuous with a single 4/0 wire; 400A continuous requires 350MCM or 2x4/0 cables connected to each of the BMS terminals for heat dissipation
Voltage
12.8V to 102.4V (4S-32S); 12V, 24V, 48V, 51V and 102V versions
NeverDie® Power Reserve
Built-in safety shutdown at 10% battery
Communication
iONbus® (M12 connector), which combines OptoLoop and RV-C CANbus technology into one connector
Bluetooth®
App (iOS, Android) for monitoring, datalogging, firmware updates and PIN security
Protection
Reserve cut-off; pack and cell over/under voltage; cell over/under temperature; contactor over-temperature; short circuit; over current; pre-charge circuit
Integrates with
Victron Cerbo, Wakespeed WS500 alternator regulator, RV-C CANbus compliant devices, NMEA2000 compliant devices, and more
Size / weight
13.0" x 23.7" x 4.0" (330.2 x 602.0 x 101.6 mm) · 8.0 lbs (3.6 kg) · IP66
That cable requirement is why we replaced the factory single 4/0 in the 2023 Essex below. Figures as published in the Lithionics Single Channel BMS data sheet (DS-018 Rev.B), linked from the Single Channel NeverDie® BMS product page.
What we can do
Ways to expand the Lithionics system in your Newmar
Every coach is a little different. We look at what's in your bay, how you camp and what you want to run, then plan the expansion around it.
Add a third Lithionics battery
On the Essex, Newmar offers a third Lithionics battery as a factory option, so many Essex coaches have a ready spot for one. We add a matching Lithionics battery to grow the bank.
Add a 320 Ah module next to the 630
On Newmar models below the Essex, there's room for a 320 Ah Lithionics module right next to the factory 630 Ah module.
Convert an AGM Newmar to Lithionics
Coach left the factory with AGM batteries? We can convert it to a factory-style Lithionics system, like the 2022 New Aire below.
Add solar and Victron
More battery is only half of it. We add roof solar and Victron Energy charging and monitoring so the bank actually gets refilled off-grid.
Why Lithionics
Why Lithionics is the battery to expand with
Lithionics is the lithium many Newmar coaches come with from the factory. Here's what you get when you expand with matching Lithionics batteries.
Starting and deep-cycle
Every Lithionics battery is a starting and deep-cycle battery, so a Lithionics bank works with your coach's dash boost ("aux start") switch.
UL 1973 listed
Lithionics batteries carry a UL 1973 listing for the complete, fully assembled battery, not just the cells.
Air-shipped overnight
Lithionics batteries can be shipped by air, overnight, anywhere in the USA and into Canada, so if a battery is ever needed on the road, it can get to you fast.
Newmar Class A coaches
Lithionics upgrades for the Essex, New Aire, Mountain Aire and London Aire
We work on Newmar Class A diesel pushers every season. Equipment varies by model, year and the options the coach was ordered with, so we confirm what's in yours before we plan anything.
Newmar EssexLithionics is standard, and Newmar offers a third battery as a factory option. We've expanded an Essex to six 320 Ah modules.
Newmar New AireLithionics is available, and some New Aires left the factory with AGM batteries. We converted a 2022 New Aire from AGM to a factory-style Lithionics system.
Newmar Mountain AireDepending on year and options, your coach may have AGM or a factory lithium system. We can expand an existing Lithionics bank or convert from AGM.
Newmar London AireSame story: we'll check what your coach came with, then expand the lithium bank or convert from AGM, and add solar and Victron if you want it.
Other Newmar Class A coaches too. Tell us your year and model when you request a consultation.
Recent Newmar installs
Newmar Lithionics work from our Quartzsite shop
2023 Essex: from two Lithionics modules to six
This Essex came with dual 320 Ah Lithionics modules and room for a third. The owner added the third, then needed more, so we added three more for six 320 Ah modules in all. We modified the battery rack in-house to carry the bigger bank.
The owner had also been dealing with cables getting extremely hot. When we tore into the bay we found the cause: the plans for the coach's dual Xantrex SW3012 inverters call for double 4/0 or 350 MCM cable from the BMS to the bus bars, and the factory had used single 4/0 with hammer crimps. We removed those cables and made new ones with tinned copper lugs, crimped on our hydraulic crimper.
2023 Essex, bay openThe battery rack, modified in-house
2022 New Aire: factory AGM to a factory-style Lithionics system
This New Aire left the factory with 6V AGM batteries. We converted it to dual 630 Ah Lithionics modules with built-in heaters and a 400 A external BMS that talks over the coach's CAN bus network. We configured the lithium clone file and uploaded it into the coach's Silverleaf system, so it runs its new bank like a factory lithium Newmar.
We also added 2400 W of solar on custom 80/20 aluminum racks, bolted to the factory roof-line gussets, with dual Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controllers, a Victron Lynx Distributor, a 5k Quattro inverter/charger, a Cerbo GX and GX Touch 70. Besides 80/20, we also build racks from 6061 aluminum.
Before: factory 6V AGMThe factory 6V AGM bankAfter: LithionicsTwo 630Ah Lithionics modules (now sold as 640Ah), external BMS and Victron MPPTs, in the same compartment the factory AGMs came out of
Why OffTheGridRVs
A Lithionics dealer in Quartzsite that does it right the first time
Authorized Lithionics dealer for over ten years, and Quartzsite's exclusive Lithionics dealer. Lithionics refers customers to us. We carry Lithionics batteries in our Hwy 95 showroom and install them in our own shop.
Authorized Victron Energy dealer with the largest Victron selection in Quartzsite, for the charging and monitoring side of the system.
Clean, serviceable installs. Cables run in loom, grouped and clamped, with every connection laid out so it can be reached, checked and serviced later.
16 years in the RV solar industry. We're a custom shop, not a mass-production shop.
Year-round help. The shop is open mainly October through April, and consultations and troubleshooting support are year-round.
By far the best I have owned and for that matter ever seen… the install was impeccable and really a work of art.
★★★★★ Google review
2022 New Aire at our Quartzsite shop on Hwy 95
Questions
Newmar Lithionics FAQ
Can I add a third Lithionics battery to my Newmar?
Often, yes. Newmar offers a third Lithionics battery as a factory option on the Essex, so an Essex with two often has room for a third. On models below the Essex, there's room for a 320 Ah module next to the factory 630. Call with your year and model and we'll tell you what fits.
Will an expanded bank still work with my coach's system?
The Lithionics BMS is configured through the Lithionics Bluetooth app and reports to the coach's system over the RV-C network. We set it up as part of the job.
My Newmar has AGM batteries. Can it be converted?
Yes. We converted a 2022 New Aire from factory 6V AGM to a factory-style Lithionics system that runs like a factory lithium Newmar.
Do you add solar and Victron at the same time?
We can. Many Newmar owners add roof solar and Victron Energy charging and monitoring along with the batteries, so the bigger bank gets recharged without the generator.
Will a lithium house bank work with the dash boost ("aux start") switch?
With Lithionics, yes. Most motorhomes have a momentary boost switch on the dash, often called "aux start." If the chassis battery is dead, you hold it down to jump-start the engine from the house battery without leaving the driver's seat. Every Lithionics battery is a starting and deep-cycle battery, so a Lithionics bank works with the boost switch. As with any job, we still look over your coach's setup.
What if I need a battery while I'm on the road?
Lithionics batteries can be shipped by air, overnight, anywhere in the USA and into Canada. If a battery is ever needed on the road, it can be air-shipped overnight. Call us at 520-261-2950.
When can I bring my coach in?
The shop is open mainly October through April. Consultations and troubleshooting support are year-round, so you can plan ahead in the off season. Request a consultation or call 520-261-2950.
Newmar owners
Plan your Newmar Lithionics expansion
Tell us your coach's year and model, what's in the bay now and how you like to camp. We'll get back to you, usually within a business day, all year round.
