Lithium Battery Upgrades for Campervans & Motorhomes

Upgrading to a lithium battery system is one of the most worthwhile improvements you can make to a campervan, motorhome or caravan. More usable power, faster charging, a longer service life and significantly reduced weight — a well-designed lithium system transforms how a leisure vehicle performs off-grid.

At Keltie Campers Ltd we design and install professionally integrated lithium battery systems built to work safely and reliably with your vehicle's charging equipment, solar installation and inverter.

Why Upgrade to Lithium?

More usable capacity
A lithium LiFePO4 battery can safely discharge to around 20% of its capacity, meaning a 200Ah lithium battery gives you roughly 160Ah of usable power. A 200Ah lead-acid battery typically delivers around 100Ah before damage occurs. You get significantly more power from the same physical size.

Faster charging
Lithium batteries accept a higher charge current than lead-acid, meaning they charge more quickly from alternators, solar systems and mains chargers. A lithium battery can often be charged fully in a fraction of the time a comparable lead-acid battery would take.

Longer service life
Quality LiFePO4 batteries are rated for thousands of charge cycles. A well-maintained lithium system will typically last many years longer than a lead-acid alternative.

Reduced weight
Lithium batteries are significantly lighter than lead-acid equivalents of the same capacity — an important consideration for vehicles where payload matters.

Lithium Is Not a Simple Swap

A lithium battery should never simply be swapped in place of a lead-acid battery without assessing the rest of the system. Lithium batteries have different charging requirements and in many cases the existing charger, solar controller or alternator charging setup will need upgrading to charge them correctly and safely.

A properly installed lithium system will typically include some or all of the following depending on the vehicle and existing equipment:

Lithium LiFePO4 battery with integrated BMS
DC-DC charger for correct alternator charging
Victron MPPT solar controller where solar is fitted
Victron MultiPlus inverter charger where 230V power is required
Correct fusing and cable sizing throughout
System monitoring and configuration

Every installation we carry out is assessed individually. We'll advise on exactly what your vehicle needs and quote accordingly.

Batteries We Install

We install lithium batteries from trusted manufacturers including Fogstar and Roamer. Both offer quality LiFePO4 cells, integrated battery management systems and Victron CANbus compatibility for full system integration.

We supply and fit batteries as part of a complete installation, or can fit customer-supplied batteries in some circumstances — contact us to discuss your requirements.

Vehicles We Work On

We carry out lithium battery upgrades on campervans, motorhomes, caravans, horseboxes and racetrucks. Each system is designed around the specific vehicle, its existing equipment and how it is used.

Scotland's Victron Approved Installer for Leisure Vehicles

Keltie Campers Ltd is Scotland's Victron Approved Installer for leisure vehicles. Every lithium installation we carry out is built around correctly specified charging equipment to ensure the battery is charged safely and efficiently. Where Victron equipment is fitted, systems are configured to Victron's recommended practices.

Frequently Asked Questions — Lithium Battery Upgrades

How long does a lithium battery upgrade take?
Most lithium installations take one to two days depending on system complexity. A straightforward upgrade with a DC-DC charger can often be completed in a day. Larger systems involving inverter chargers, solar and full rewiring may take two days.

How much does a lithium upgrade cost?
A basic lithium upgrade starts from around £800 fitted. A full Victron system with inverter charger and solar integration typically ranges from £2,000 to £4,000+. See our Prices page for indicative costs and contact us for a quotation based on your specific vehicle.

Will lithium work with my existing solar panels?
In most cases yes, but the solar controller may need upgrading. Many older PWM controllers are not suitable for charging lithium batteries correctly. We assess the existing system as part of every installation and advise on what needs to change.

What size battery do I need?
This depends on what equipment you run and how long you spend off-grid between charges. Most campervans and motorhomes work well with between 100Ah and 300Ah of lithium capacity. We'll help you calculate the right size based on your actual power usage.

Do I need a new charger as well?
In most cases yes — either a DC-DC charger for alternator charging, an upgraded mains charger, or both. The existing charger may not be suitable for lithium batteries. We assess this as part of every installation.

Do you offer a mobile or call-out service?
No — all installation work is carried out at our workshop in Callander, Perthshire. Please bring your vehicle to us.

Where are you based?
Callander, Perthshire — 45 minutes from Edinburgh and Glasgow, within easy reach of Perth, Stirling and the Highlands.