Batteries - Info

[RVPioneer]

Originally Posted by Dan McMartin

They can take 1C but they recommend half that. Still, you can put 200 amps into a 4 BBs. If you've got the ability to do that, solar starts to look like bad investment, especially if you're using significantly less than 200 Ah a day. We use about 120. If we had the ability to put 150 amps into our 3 BB's, we'd charge in about 45-50 minutes of generator a day or 90 minutes every other day.

Not saying solar isn't nice but unless you can charge your bank up fully on solar, you're doing generator time anyway. Investing in an inverter/charger might make more sense in the long run...maybe. Something to think about anyway.

The beauty of Lithium is they don’t need to be fully charged. You could restore 120Ah to your batteries with a moderately sized solar array of 600-900w and practically eliminate generator run time. Even if you were unable to fully charge them daily, the solar would reduce generator use to once or twice a week.

For those with LA batteries, solar allows the option of using the generator for a brief time in the morning for bulk charging and then letting the solar finish the job of fully charging the batteries, which is necessary with LA.

[Dan McMartin]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

The beauty of Lithium is they don’t need to be fully charged. You could restore 120Ah to your batteries with a moderately sized solar array of 600-900w and practically eliminate generator run time. Even if you were unable to fully charge them daily, the solar would reduce generator use to once or twice a week.

For those with LA batteries, solar allows the option of using the generator for a brief time in the morning for bulk charging and then letting the solar finish the job of fully charging the batteries, which is necessary with LA.

Totally agree. Just saying that because they can be charged so quickly, generator runs would be really short. Imagine running your gennie once a day for 45 minutes and done. Just musing.

But the investment in a charger that can deliver .5C, not to mention the wiring and labor would probably exceed the cost of a modest solar system like you suggest.

[Renipladlo]

All - I did receive e-mail from Battle Born and they confirmed that the cells are made in China and they " assemble in Reno, NV". As much as I think this product is going to make RV'ing, the out in the boonies part much better, or even just traveling between sites, I want my batteries made from the molecules up to the finished product in the USA. I do not know if Lifeline is made from the ground up here in this country, was very pleased with my last set of AGM's. Going to stick with the interstates which come in the coach, and make sure I pay attention to use/charging/etc.

[MRUSA14]

Originally Posted by Old-RVer

As much as I think this product is going to make RV'ing, the out in the boonies part much better, or even just traveling between sites, I want my batteries made from the molecules up to the finished product in the USA.

Do you carry a cellphone? Guess where its batteries are made - China! I don't think you will find a Lithium battery made entirely in the USA. That does not mean you should not use them. My iPhone, iPad and computer batteries are all made overseas and are very reliable.

[RVPioneer]

Originally Posted by Dan McMartin

Totally agree. Just saying that because they can be charged so quickly, generator runs would be really short. Imagine running your gennie once a day for 45 minutes and done. Just musing.

But the investment in a charger that can deliver .5C, not to mention the wiring and labor would probably exceed the cost of a modest solar system like you suggest.

Reduced run time is a definite benefit.

A .5C solar charger would not be necessary. 600W and a 20-30A charger would restore all or most of the 160A with a good day of sunshine. Could be done for $1000-1500.

[Dan McMartin]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

Reduced run time is a definite benefit.

A .5C solar charger would not be necessary. 600W and a 20-30A charger would restore all or most of the 160A with a good day of sunshine. Could be done for $1000-1500.

And that's the other side. A bit of solar can eliminate generator runs. As I said, I was just musing.

As for the Chinese innards, what's the big deal? There are goods produced in China that are cheaper and better than their counterparts made in the USA, if their made here at all. Cell phone components and drones come to mind. I'm sure Apple and Battle Born, among others, have high standards and assure quality though testing and inspection before assembling the parts into the final product. It's not the same as buying some knock-off gizmo on Amazon.

BTW, the solar panels used to charge those Battle Borns were likely manufactured in China too.