Installation report: 2 × 100 Ah Supervolt Ultra lithium high-performance batteries in the Ford Transit MK7 – More starting power and reliability
Installation report of 2 x 100 Ah Supervolt lithium high-performance batteries in the Ford Transit MK Camper as a starter battery, which was provided to us by our customers.
Guest article: Installation of 2 x 100 Ah Ultra lithium batteries as starter battery in Ford Transit MK7 Camper
Our customers Bianca and Laurent from @yellowthemonster have sent us a field report on the installation of 2 x 100 Ah Ultra LiFePO4 batteries in their Ford Transit MK7 Camper made available to us. In this article, they explain the details of the installation and what to look out for when converting.
Table of contents
Please note
Our Supervolt Ultra High Power LiFePO4 high-performance batteries are not suitable as starter batteries for all vehicle types. Please contact our technical support team before purchasing to check compatibility.
Initial situation
In recent weeks and months, our van has been causing us increasing concern when it comes to starting the engine. The van starting problems became more frequent, and the situation came to a head at the beginning of 2025: we could hardly get it running without a jump-start power bank. Especially in cold temperatures, starting the engine became a real test of patience. Time had finally run out for the old lead-acid batteries, which had done a great job for the last 15 years.
A reliable battery solution for our van was needed – even before our big expedition to
Iceland expedition in June!
Hello everyone! We are Bianca and Laurent and would like to take you with us on our journey to find out how we solved our motorhome battery problem by retrofitting a LiFePO4 starter battery. Find out why the lithium battery is the ideal choice for expedition vehicles and how we permanently optimized the cold start of our van.
Why lithium starter batteries? More power, less weight
The retrofitting of Supervolt ultra-high performance batteries has a clear objective: to significantly improve the starting performance of the vehicle while reducing the vehicle weight and benefiting from the outstanding durability and reliability of LiFePO₄ technology.
Compared to conventional lead-acid batteries, there is a weight saving of approx. 50 % – in our specific case, this means a total weight reduction of almost 20 kg. Especially in demanding conditions such as cold weather, lithium starter batteries outperform lead-acid batteries thanks to their superior performance and stable voltage during the starting process. This makes them the ideal solution for a reliable starting experience.
Optimum integration of the Supervolt ultra-high-performance batteries in the Ford Transit MK7
Careful planning was crucial for the conversion. We paid particular attention to ensuring that the lithium batteries selected
were specifically designed for the starting process and that a robust BMS (battery management system). This BMS is essential to safely manage the high starting currents and protect the cells from overcharging, deep discharge or overcurrent.
A built-in heater enables the batteries to be charged at temperatures below 0 °C and an integrated active balancer ensures even charging and discharging of the individual cells.
The choice quickly fell on the Supervolt ultra-high performance batteriesas they meet all of the above criteria. In addition, they are supplied in a universal DIN housing which makes it even easier to replace the old battery.
Installing the Supervolt Ultra starter batteries in the Ford Transit MK7
As the starter batteries are located under the driver’s seat in the seat console, this
had to be removed first. If the seat is mounted on a swivel console, as in our case, you only need to loosen the screws of the swivel console. Both can then be detached from the seat console and lifted.
The battery holder can then be removed. The old lead-acid starter batteries are then simply lifted out.
When removing the batteries, it is important to always disconnect the earth terminal first to eliminate any risk of short circuits.
The two high-performance lithium batteries from Supervolt were firmly and securely mounted in their intended place using the original battery holder.
This method has already proven itself in the past with our two 100 Ah Supervolton-board batterieswhich are located under the passenger seat.
Absolute fixation is essential for vehicle safety – they must be mounted firmly and with absolutely no play.
Batteries that are not correctly fitted and secured can lead to unexpected problems, especially when driving off-road.
We have also lubricated the battery terminals with battery grease to ensure perfect contact between the battery and the battery terminals.
Commissioning and performance test
After installation, the system was extensively tested. A visual inspection of all connections, fuses and cable routing guarantees correct seating and insulation.
We then started the engine of our Ford Transit MK7 to experience the improved starting performance of the lithium batteries.
The engine started up noticeably faster and more powerfully.
Thanks to the integrated Bluetooth function we can also monitor the battery status in real time at any time.
After successfully commissioning the Supervolt Ultra batteries, we were able to reassemble the rest in reverse order.
Ready to go with new lithium power from Supervolt
The installation of the two lithium starter batteries in our Ford Transit MK7 was a complete success!
Thanks to the installation of the two lithium starter batteries, we benefit from a considerable
improved starting performancewhich is particularly noticeable at low temperatures. The conversion also brings a pleasant weight reduction and promises a long service lifefor
lithium technology is known for.
Even though the conversion from lead to lithium batteries is not cheap, it was an absolutely profitable investment in the reliability and efficiency of our van, which we would not want to do without.
Important note for the installation
Retrofitting lithium starter batteries requires specialized expertise. It is crucial to pay close attention to the manufacturer’s specifications for LiFePO4 batteries with regard to charging voltage and BMS functions. If in doubt, a qualified specialist should always be consulted to ensure correct installation and compatibility with the vehicle system.
Acknowledgments
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers Bianca & Laurent for the great contribution! By publishing these instructions, we hope to be able to help you replace AGM batteries with our lithium batteries in the Ford Transit MK7 Camper.
With the new battery, nothing stands in the way of your next vacation. We wish you a safe journey and unforgettable trips.
Supervolt LiFePO4 batteries and accessories
In our store you will find the complete selection of LiFePO4 batteries – ideal for motorhomes, boats or solar systems. Thanks to their versatility, our batteries can be used reliably in a wide variety of applications.
Suitable installation accessories such as solar controller, charging booster or inverters are of course also available directly from us – for a perfectly coordinated system from a single source.
