Community Forums

Jrhea · 08-24-2019, 09:04 PM

All -

Just wanted to share a recent upgrade I did to my motorhome with a move to lithium from lead acid. I watched a video on youtube from will prowse on the Valence batteries. I did some research and ended up getting 3 of the Valence U27-12XP models. These are 12V 138AH. The link I bought from on ebay said they were used, less than 300 cycles. I bought them for $380 + $35 shipping each from this seller (he seems to have raised prices, but others are available from other sellers - maybe he will take an offer) -

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-138Ah-V.../183927514612?

I got them in, swapped out my lead acid and charged these up. I set my magnum inverter/charger to 14.4V absorb and 13.7V float with a custom battery type. Set the inverter battery cutoff to 11.5V. Did a couple of quick load tests running microwave, coffee maker, etc. Had no issues.

I charged them up to full and did a drain down test pulling about 90AH constant with a heater hooked up to all three of them. I ended up getting 362AH before the inverter shutoff at 11.5V. Once the load left the batteries settled back up to 12V, so they had a bit more in them, but I was quite happy with an average capacity of 120AH each.

Wanted to pass this along in the event someone wanted to swap out and try these. Bang for the buck, they seem not to be bad, especially if you hunt Ebay and other sources for these.

John

vito.a · 08-26-2019, 01:43 PM

Wow, that sounds great. $380 is a lot easier to swallow than $1000+.

Did you install them in the external battery compartment?

Jrhea · 08-26-2019, 06:26 PM

Yes, I installed them under the entry step in the same place my old batteries were. This winter I will relocate them to a closed compartment that I can more easily access them and put them on a tank heating pad for cold weather days.

So far, super happy with them.

John

jdpenn · 10-27-2019, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrhea

Yes, I installed them under the entry step in the same place my old batteries were. This winter I will relocate them to a closed compartment that I can more easily access them and put them on a tank heating pad for cold weather days.

So far, super happy with them.

John

I just bought 4 Valence 12xp batteries for my travel trailer. Do you have any tips for using them? Does their internal BMS work without monitoring? Or did you get a BMS display working with them?
Thanks,
JD

Jrhea · 10-27-2019, 12:59 PM

They have an internal BMS that balances the cells and protects from under volting, etc. I just wired mine up in parallel and they have been absolutely amazing. Suck up all the current I can give them when charging and discharge with little to no voltage sag all the way to empty.

Not sure why I waited so long to do this upgrade.

I am just protecting them from low temperature. Don't charge under 0C and don't discharge below -10C. They have an overheat light and cutoff in the BMS from my understanding.

John

PbdBlue · 10-27-2019, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrhea

Yes, I installed them under the entry step in the same place my old batteries were. This winter I will relocate them to a closed compartment that I can more easily access them and put them on a tank heating pad for cold weather days.

So far, super happy with them.

John

I put my two Battleborns under the steps. I covered the outside of the battery box with 1” construction foam board glued on with construction adhesive. Recently camped where the overnight low was 21°. Battery compartment never got below 40°.

rcngron · 01-26-2020, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PbdBlue

I put my two Battleborns under the steps. I covered the outside of the battery box with 1” construction foam board glued on with construction adhesive. Recently camped where the overnight low was 21°. Battery compartment never got below 40°.

Does the engine alternator over charge them?

Allen_C · 01-27-2020, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrhea

All -

Just wanted to share a recent upgrade I did to my motorhome with a move to lithium from lead acid. I watched a video on youtube from will prowse on the Valence batteries. I did some research and ended up getting 3 of the Valence U27-12XP models. These are 12V 138AH. The link I bought from on ebay said they were used, less than 300 cycles. I bought them for $380 + $35 shipping each from this seller (he seems to have raised prices, but others are available from other sellers - maybe he will take an offer) -

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-138Ah-V.../183927514612?

I got them in, swapped out my lead acid and charged these up. I set my magnum inverter/charger to 14.4V absorb and 13.7V float with a custom battery type. Set the inverter battery cutoff to 11.5V. Did a couple of quick load tests running microwave, coffee maker, etc. Had no issues.

I charged them up to full and did a drain down test pulling about 90AH constant with a heater hooked up to all three of them. I ended up getting 362AH before the inverter shutoff at 11.5V. Once the load left the batteries settled back up to 12V, so they had a bit more in them, but I was quite happy with an average capacity of 120AH each.

Wanted to pass this along in the event someone wanted to swap out and try these. Bang for the buck, they seem not to be bad, especially if you hunt Ebay and other sources for these.

John

I saw that video too and looked for these batteries but they were either sold out or 2-3 times the price he paid because of the demand. Glad you found some. I had to try an off-brand Chinese battery but it has worked well so far in my tests!