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03-04-2019, 05:51 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 27
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Lithium Batteries
My wife and I just bought our RV and are thinking of replacing the Lead Acid batteries with Lithium Ion. The typical AH of the LA batteries are a little low for my liking and was thinking about switching all of them out for some 350ah or higher with a stronger inverter. Is this a good idea? Thoughts/experiences?
Thanks
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03-04-2019, 05:59 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,037
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Funny you should mention that, I was just looking at that, again, yesterday. I would do it right now if it wasn't for the $$.
That said.... they are coming down in price.
Yes.... for a lot more Ah per volume at a quarter of the weight it's a no brainer.
ONLY thing you're going to have to watch is the fairly narrow, and critical, charge voltage range. Not sure if my Magnum can be programmed to do that. Would have to talk to the Magnum people, but they are pretty accommodating.
This would be my choice.
https://www.lithiumion-batteries.com...on-battery.php
Right now I have 4-6V 225Ah lead acids, so 450Ah total with a max 50% discharge that's 225Ah.... Replacement cost about $800
The Li would give me a little more Ah for a couple of grand more in less space and a LOT less weight. Save some more money and put another one next to it and I'd be looking at 5-600Ah for half the weight..... I can run an AC off that for 6 hours....
I'm looking hard.
__________________
'20 RAM 3500, '20 Heartland Road Warrior 430 https://thecastle.blog/ Also: Eagle Cap 950 Before:'17 Berkshire 38A class A https://dragonship.blog/ '11 Heartland Cyclone TH, '11 Lance TC, '05 Keystone TT, '76 Coachmen class A and a '16 DIY Transit conversion........
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03-04-2019, 06:05 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FT on the Road
Posts: 3,829
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Oscarvan,
Magnum worked for me with the correct remote panel.
Here is my upgrade with many details
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f107/16-b...de-323250.html
__________________
I don't subscribe to threads I reply to so will not see your reply to my comment. Drop me a direct message if you want a reply from me.
Cheers!
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03-04-2019, 06:51 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 27
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Thanks
Thank you for the replies. On changing these out, say 6 AGM 60ah to 6 12v 300ah, any advice on what other equipment I'd need to safely upgrade? I have a 3000 watt inverter, currently. Would I need to upgrade this as well?
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03-04-2019, 06:55 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Foley, AL
Posts: 1,093
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Lithium Batteries
I still have the original batteries in my rig, but I did notice a setting on my Magnum remote that was for Lithium batteries. Chances are yours has the capability. I believe my Magnum is the 2000W model.
__________________
Les & Pam Warden
(Tiffin) 2017 Phaeton 40QBH; 2023 Wayfarer 25RW (coming soon)
2016 Jeep JKUS with Ready Brute Elite towbar
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03-04-2019, 07:02 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: West Palm Beach, Fl
Posts: 1,482
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I replaced 8 LA with drop in Lithium. Has worked beautifully. Changed the batteries and the BIM for lithium. Added solar at the same time and got tax credit on all of it.
__________________
Corey and Tammi
2018 Allegro Bus 40SP
2009 Lexus GX470
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03-04-2019, 07:59 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 27
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Converter/charger
So I most likely won't have to replace the converter/charger that's already in there with a specific one set up for lithium battery systems?
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03-04-2019, 08:28 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 2,812
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Webeschrockn
So I most likely won't have to replace the converter/charger that's already in there with a specific one set up for lithium battery systems?
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Many of the better inverter/chargers have the ability to have their charging profiles changed to the proper times and voltages, not sure if all converter/chargers can.
Battle Born has a full 10 yr warranty on their lithiums.
I you call them, they will tell you if your converter is compatible.
__________________
Foretravel tag axle 40 ft. 500 hp/1550 ft/lbs ism 1455 watts on the roof. 600 a/h's lithium down below.
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03-04-2019, 09:21 AM
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#9
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,578
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Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!
Just noticed that you are kinda new on IRV2 and wanted to say hello!
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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03-04-2019, 09:25 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: West Palm Beach, Fl
Posts: 1,482
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers
Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!
Just noticed that you are kinda new on IRV2 and wanted to say hello!
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
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WHAT,,,no keep her between the ditches??
__________________
Corey and Tammi
2018 Allegro Bus 40SP
2009 Lexus GX470
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03-05-2019, 07:08 AM
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,519
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The wattage of the inverter is irrelevant - it only says how much wattage the inverter can produce when drawing power FROM the batteries. What you need to know is the max charge rate in amps and the charge profile (how the inverter/charger manages charging). Better chargers have multiple profiles and you can select which one is to be used. The life span of a lithium batter will likely be shortened somewhat is the charge profile is not close to the battery makers charging specs. Few inverter/chargers have Lithium charge profiles available, but maybe yours does.
Lithium batteries can be discharged more deeply than lead acid, so poplar wisdom is that you can use a lower total AH capacity to meet your needs. With lead acid, the rule of thumb is that about 50% of the rated capacity is available for use, whereas it is more like 70% or 80% for lithium. For example, if 400 AH of rated capacity (200 AH usable) is adequate for your needs using lead acid batteries, you can probably get the same results using 300 AH of lithium batteries (70% x 300 = 210 AH usable).
Another way to look at it is that you gain usable AH capacity if you replace lead batteries with lithium of the same rating.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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03-06-2019, 06:08 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Titusville, FL
Posts: 5,158
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Are lithium batteries really $3K each? I had no idea they were that expensive. I guess swapping out the lead acid for lithium is not done for financial reasons.
__________________
When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.
2023 Grand Design 2600RB, 2022 F-350 King Ranch tow vehicle, Titusville, FL when not on the road
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03-06-2019, 07:37 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Over the next hill, around the next curve...
Posts: 5,659
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hohenwald48
Are lithium batteries really $3K each? I had no idea they were that expensive. I guess swapping out the lead acid for lithium is not done for financial reasons.
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Well if you use fuzzy math, and keep the coach for long enough to see it - theoretically the Lithium will last longer. And if properly cared for, the cost of one set of Lithiums, should equate to 2 or perhaps 3 sets of wet batteries, (Probably 3 if wet cell. And 2 if good quality AGM deep cycle.).
The added benefits include:
-Faster recharging, less generator run time if boon docking
-Pure power all the way down to the BMS shutoff point. As Gary said, somewhere between 70-90% for most Lithium. (I see LifeBlue is at 83%, and that is the brand I'm considering.)
-Less weight for more AH's of power
Expensive going in, but, possibly a wash and or an advantage overall to Lithium as far as actual costs over the years.
AM Solar has great info on their website. Look at the bottom on the chart for Lithium and AGM. Discharge rate percentage, and Life Cycles. If you design your system bank to have some reserve for contingency, say discharge down to 50-60% SOC, the DoDo Life Cycles of say Battle Born - would jump from 3000 up to 5500-6000 cycles... (In a perfect environment. Suspect real world usage would be less. But even 4500-5000 cycles - spread that costs on Lithium out quite aways....).
https://amsolar.com/rv-solar-panel-k...-battery-banks
All that being said. If you're not into heavy boon docking, and or say go Park to Park with occasional off shore power usage. AGM's still pencil out well too !
Best to you,
Smitty
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07 Country Coach Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600
Roo II was our 04 Country Coach Allure 40'
OnDRoad for The JRNY! Enjoy life...
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03-06-2019, 08:13 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 261
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I highly recommend that you watch this video which has some good info:
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Terry and Beth
2010 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH
2016 Ford Edge Sport
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