Solar Panel Ready

[Persistent]

Originally Posted by NeedToRetire

My needs will to try and be off grid 2-3 days with the two 100ah lithiums with 100 watt portable solar charging. I will want to run the bare minimum during the 2-3 days off grid. I have a Cpap with the 12v power supply.

Will I get by with 200ah of Lithium? Side note, I will be traveling with my 3000w Honda as back-up.

I have done this using a 200 amp hour lead acid battery bank for over 15 years. I get 5 days camping off grid in the summer and 3 days off grid using the propane furnace.

I have a Honda 1000 watt as back up and have never used it camping except to test it. It works fine for recharging batteries.

[NeedToRetire]

Originally Posted by Persistent

I have done this using a 200 amp hour lead acid battery bank for over 15 years. I get 5 days camping off grid in the summer and 3 days off grid using the propane furnace.

What are your thoughts on the Watt Cycle Lithium Battery review from Will Prowse's youtube? I think I am going to pull the trigger and buy 2 group 24 100ah Watt Cycles while theyre still available at what looks like free shipping and $174 ea.

My questions moving forward:

1. Winter: my Camper is tucked away in a barn for the winter with limited accsess. Can I buy the batteries now and keep them in my heated garage until March, or will they need charged/maintained until March? My only reason for not just waiting until February to order, is the talk of tarrifs on such things as Chineese Lithium batteries raising the price by 20%.
2. Charger: when I go to the Watt Cycle site to order these battaries, they ask if I want to add a 20amp LifePro4 Lithium 14.6v plug in charger? My question is, would that be the answer to the potential inadequate camper converter issue? Its $100 and if it will properly charge the batteries in addition to the convert, then I will add it.

[Persistent]

Originally Posted by NeedToRetire

What are your thoughts on the Watt Cycle Lithium Battery review from Will Prowse's youtube? I think I am going to pull the trigger and buy 2 group 24 100ah Watt Cycles while theyre still available at what looks like free shipping and $174 ea.

My questions moving forward:

1. Winter: my Camper is tucked away in a barn for the winter with limited accsess. Can I buy the batteries now and keep them in my heated garage until March, or will they need charged/maintained until March? My only reason for not just waiting until February to order, is the talk of tarrifs on such things as Chineese Lithium batteries raising the price by 20%.
2. Charger: when I go to the Watt Cycle site to order these battaries, they ask if I want to add a 20amp LifePro4 Lithium 14.6v plug in charger? My question is, would that be the answer to the potential inadequate camper converter issue? Its $100 and if it will properly charge the batteries in addition to the convert, then I will add it.

Winter

Follow the lithium battery manufacture's instructions for storing the lithium batteries. Each battery design has different electronics inside and may need different storage requirements.

Many of the best batteries can be stored fully charged for 6 months before needing recharging.

Often instructions are to fully charge and balance cells.
Discharge to 70% state of charge.
Disconnect.
Repeat the process in 6 months.

Charger

A 20 amp lithium profile charger can be used to perform the required procedure while in storage on a shelf.

Some batteries have built in heaters for charging. Others do not. Make sure batteries are above freezing before charging if necessary.

Usually, two different modern design chargers can be connected to the same battery bank without issues. The $100 lithium charger should provide proper finishing charge and charge fast when combined with another lead acid charger.

[NeedToRetire]

I pulled the trigger this morning on purchasing Qty: 2 Brand: Watt Cycle 12V 100ah each LiFePO4 Batteries. I ended up paying $150.47ea. I think the Golf cart 6V at Sams Club are that much

I wanted to do a bit more learning before I bought the charger. I see some on Amazon labeled LiFePO4 Lithium chargers with cooling fans and such. If running this charger & the RV Converter at the same time isn't a problem, I will wire in permanently inside the coach by the converter. Seeing some with cooling fans makes me think I could add as a permanent installation as long as running them paralleled isn't a problem?

Also, in watching Will Prowse's youtube videos, I think I know, that he suggests fully charing batteries and then discharging them down to 50% prior to charging them again. If thats the case, will being plugged in for a week at the camp ground be a problem and should I make it so all charging can be disconnect until 50% is achieved?

[Persistent]

Two modern chargers usually work fine together. One with lithium profile and one with lead acid profile should work fine.

Follow battery manufacture's instructions for charging and storage. Different batteries have different internal electronics.