RV Batteries - Lithium as Option

[obiwancanoli]

I've read enough to develop questions I can't seem to find the answers to, so I'm here once more to soak it in.

I've had some concerns that the current and original batteries on my Class A might need replacement, even though they're about 3 years old, in part due to my lack of experience in depleting voltage to a point that running off the batteries inevitably runs out of power in the wee hours, with the meters showing me LOW VOLTAGE somewhere in the 11's, so, I'm considering Lithium.

I also have 480 watts of Zamp solar, maxxed out at 26.1 Amps, along with a separate portable 120 watt panel, and a Zamp Solar 30A Controller. Am considering adding another panel or two -if I can find a place to mount them, and realize I'd need a new Controller, maybe 45-60 Amps, MPPT, and should be more than sufficient.

Having recently retired, I now have time for some extended travel, and boondocking will almost certainly be a part of that. I'm looking forward to getting off grid periodically, so power resources are key.

I'm aware of the cost, and believe that this is the most economical long-term approach to my power systems. So I'm willing to consider Lithium, and need some answers to fill in a few holes...

My rig came with 4-12V batteries, each 115 min at 75 Amps, 220 AH@ 20Hr.

If I connect Lithium in parallel, do I double available amps?

Are Lithium's all 12V, and if so, would I need only two to replace what I currently have?

What changes, if any, must I make to existing systems in order to accommodate Lithium batteries?

[obiwancanoli]

After having my service guy look things over, he came up with the idea that the sliding tray the batteries were on was taking up a lot of space, and that by removing it, I could not only fit the batteries I wanted in the now empty space, I could probably get 10 flooded batteries in there... a terrible waste of space, he said... but, it appears the best choice for me are the Battle Born Lithiums, and have decided to go with 4-100Ah that should fit nicely, with the tray removed...

[steveh27]

I gave the Chinese mfrs of my lithiums the size dimensions of my small battery box, 14"x8"x9.5", & they custom made 2 100AH batteries for it.

https://www.amazon.com/3-2V100Ah-Lithium-Power-car-Radio-3-2V100AH/dp/B07LBFQGKX/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3QDVAKORNTUG0&keywords=lithium%2Brv%2Bbattery%2B200ah&qid=1560184054&s=gateway&sprefix=lithium%2Brv%2Csporting%2C175&sr=8-1-spons&th=1

I ended up dealing direct with them and paying through Alibaba;

Emily Cao | Sales manager
Orient Power Group Limted

Zhuhai OTE Electronic Technology Co., Ltd

TEL:0086 756 8598 852

M/Whatsapp: +86 138 2306 3759

Email: emily2914@hotmail.com;

emily2914@orientpower.asia

Web: www.orientpower.asia

Skype Chat: emily2914

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orientpower.asia

[3_tons]

“ Does anyone see an issue with this approach?“

YES, you’ll be starving-out the good guys at PG&E - lol !!.... Not a problem so long as your battery manufacturer’s specs allow for parallel connection...Might be a good time to consider an upgrade of your cables as well...

3 tons

[obiwancanoli]

First, the dilemma, then the answer... My dilemma came about regarding dimensions.

Initially, it appeared I would have trouble fitting them in, because the dimensions of the Li were larger than the battery tray - too long by about 3". Even with the 100Ah, I could only get 3 in, length-wise front-to-back, to replace my 4 flooded jars. That meant removing the tray, having it modified to fit the new Li's. Then I remembered something... these Li's can pretty much be positioned any way one chooses, absent upside down, so I measured the battery compartment, and discovered I have about 20 1/2 inches of height open to me, and at 19.1/16", standing both of the 200Ah I wanted on end, wired in parallel, they would fit just fine, as long as they were strapped down and secured to the tray... I would then have 400Ah at the core of the system.

Does anyone see an issue with this approach?

[obiwancanoli]

obiwancanoli wrote:
Would it make sense to replace my four 6-Volt batteries with 3 Li, assuming boondocking would become my primary activity? Two would seem sufficient for routine camping needs, but if I'm off-grid, I like to have plenty of back up, should it be needed...

Hmmm.... I think I figured out the answer...

[obiwancanoli]

Would it make sense to replace my four 6-Volt batteries with 3 Li, assuming boondocking would become my primary activity? Two would seem sufficient for routine camping needs, but if I'm off-grid, I like to have plenty of back up, should it be needed...

[pianotuna]

mchero,

Here is some more information:

"Shari from Azimuth to answer your questions... The ones above are manufactured in China by a Canadian company, Soneil Electronics. Soneil has been around since 1994, but they made smaller size light traction SiO2 batteries for the healthcare and materials handling industries. It wasn't until a few years ago that they expanded into larger size deep cycle solar. RV, telecom and marine sizes. They haven't been that great at marketing so they are a best kept secret. Lead crystal / SiO2 batteries are currently being made by Betta Batteries(Australia), Green Rhino (Germany) and Soneil Electronics (Canada). I have attached some studies of lead crystal / SiO2 batteries for review. 🙂 So far, all the ones in the field are exceeding our expectations."

video https://youtu.be/ZFnjIodpI30

discharge to one volt https://youtu.be/O45eLd5YotM

[RJsfishin]

What is wrong w/ lead acid. If I had money to burn, I would still buy lead acid !

[pnichols]

mchero wrote:
Nice find Phil. Looks like more research!

I have to give credit for me learning of these great (I think, so far) RV batteries to this poster -> "pianotuna"

Here's the link where I first learned of them from him:
https://forums.goodsamclub.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30125372/gotomsg/30125409.cfm#3012540...

[mchero]

Nice find Phil. Looks like more research!

[valhalla360]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
Like any other battery they should be stored at 100% SOC, but do NOT require any trickle charging, even when stored for months.

Actually, you don't want to store them at 100%. This will actually damage them long term.

50% is ideal but 80-90% is far enough from 100% that it addresses most of the concern.

[pnichols]

obiwancanoli wrote:
I've read enough to develop questions I can't seem to find the answers to, so I'm here once more to soak it in.

I've had some concerns that the current and original batteries on my Class A might need replacement, even though they're about 3 years old, in part due to my lack of experience in depleting voltage to a point that running off the batteries inevitably runs out of power in the wee hours, with the meters showing me LOW VOLTAGE somewhere in the 11's, so, I'm considering Lithium.

I also have 480 watts of Zamp solar, maxxed out at 26.1 Amps, along with a separate portable 120 watt panel, and a Zamp Solar 30A Controller. Am considering adding another panel or two -if I can find a place to mount them, and realize I'd need a new Controller, maybe 45-60 Amps, MPPT, and should be more than sufficient.

Having recently retired, I now have time for some extended travel, and boondocking will almost certainly be a part of that. I'm looking forward to getting off grid periodically, so power resources are key.

I'm aware of the cost, and believe that this is the most economical long-term approach to my power systems. So I'm willing to consider Lithium, and need some answers to fill in a few holes...

My rig came with 4-6V batteries, each 115 min at 75 Amps, 220 AH@ 20Hr.

If I connect Lithium in parallel, do I double available amps?

Are Lithium's all 12V, and if so, would I need only two to replace what I currently have?

What changes, if any, must I make to existing systems in order to accommodate Lithium batteries?

You might want to look into these 12V Group 27 silicon dioxide RV batteries instead. They're about 1/2 the cost of lithium and in my opinion are superior to lithium for RV use:
https://azimuthsolarproducts.com/product/12v-100ah-sio2-battery/

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Lithium label amp hours ex 100
Subtract 10 amp hours from upper end not useable ?
Subtract 10 amp hours from bottom end not useable ?
80 useable amp hours?

[mchero]

Ran across this battery,
https://lionenergy.com/products/lion-safari-ut-1300
Click product manual in bottom right for detailed info.
You can knock of $150 using discount coupons making them cheaper than Battleborn!