Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > THE OWNER'S CORNER FORUMS > Outdoors RV Owner's Forum
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-01-2022, 08:24 PM   #29
Junior Member
 
Clark clan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 23
Consider BattleBorn

They are pricey but are a drop in replacement for LA. They have different charge requirements compared to others. You can also get a Li-Bim instead of the DC charger. It charges for about 15 minutes and shuts off for 20 to protect your alternator. Give them a call - they are very helpful.
Clark clan is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 05-02-2022, 05:37 AM   #30
Senior Member
 
Winemaker2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Western NY
Posts: 6,143
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clark clan View Post
They are pricey but are a drop in replacement for LA. They have different charge requirements compared to others. You can also get a Li-Bim instead of the DC charger. It charges for about 15 minutes and shuts off for 20 to protect your alternator. Give them a call - they are very helpful.
IMO the phrase "Drop In" should be used / taken with some caution by those considering LFP and educate themselves.
https://marinehowto.com/drop-in-life...ated-consumer/
__________________
Don & Marge
'13 Newmar Ventana 3433 - '14 CR-V TOAD
'03 Winnebago Adventurer 31Y - SOLD
Winemaker2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2022, 08:35 AM   #31
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 746
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soppy View Post
The 170 watt panel will give you around 60 to 70 amp hrs per day in full sun. That will be sufficient to charge 1 battery taken down to 50% of its capacity. If your weather is cloudy your charging will be even less. I would get more solar before more batteries , unless you plan on running the generator daily to charge the batteries.
I put 200w of solar on a year plus ago. I find it worthless. I need it for the winter to run furnace. The short days and low sun angle make the solar worthless when I want it.

Before our last couple months trip, which went south and had a few cold nights and the rest down below freezing, my 2 new 6 v golf cart batteries did the job. I replaced the OEM crap 12 v deep cycle about a year ago and the replacements turned out to be crap too. I bought good 6 v batteries this time.

I have no interest in AGM or Li batteries. AGM batteries are good for boats and airplanes but I don’t need them. Li batteries are out of my price range. The only inverter I use is a 100 w one to run my CPAP…which is a Resmed Mini and uses little power: no water added.
LarryinID is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2022, 08:41 AM   #32
Senior Member
 
PJStough's Avatar
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,718
Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat View Post
Yes they will work, but if your only charging them to 70% and you need to stop discharging above 10%, you just spent a lot of $ on less capacity then your original lead acid batteries.
Agreed, but if they charge to 95% with current system, you havent lost much capacity.
__________________
Paul J Stough Iowa
2005 Winnebago Voyage 38J
PJStough is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2022, 08:57 AM   #33
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 2,184
Quote:
Originally Posted by LarryinID View Post
I put 200w of solar on a year plus ago. I find it worthless. I need it for the winter to run furnace. The short days and low sun angle make the solar worthless when I want it.

Before our last couple months trip, which went south and had a few cold nights and the rest down below freezing, my 2 new 6 v golf cart batteries did the job. I replaced the OEM crap 12 v deep cycle about a year ago and the replacements turned out to be crap too. I bought good 6 v batteries this time.

I have no interest in AGM or Li batteries. AGM batteries are good for boats and airplanes but I don’t need them. Li batteries are out of my price range. The only inverter I use is a 100 w one to run my CPAP…which is a Resmed Mini and uses little power: no water added.
Sometimes folks put together systems that are ill suited to meet their needs. Understanding how solar panels will perform in a variety of conditions, knowing your energy requirements and determining the necessary battery capacity are 3 critical steps in the process.

You can’t blame the components.
Kid Gloves is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2022, 09:09 AM   #34
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 2,184
Quote:
Originally Posted by PJStough View Post
Agreed, but it they charge to 95% with current system, you havent lost much capacity.
Indeed. It’s ridiculously easy to charge lithium batteries to 90-100%. I’ve been doing it with the AGM setting, but mostly with solar. Another benefit is that we won’t kill our lithium batteries if we operate them between 10-70%, or 20-80%, or never fully charge them. Try that with a wet cell.
Kid Gloves is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2022, 09:14 AM   #35
Senior Member
 
paul65k's Avatar


 
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 3,007
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kid Gloves View Post
Indeed. It’s ridiculously easy to charge lithium batteries to 90-100%. I’ve been doing it with the AGM setting, but mostly with solar. Another benefit is that we won’t kill our lithium batteries if we operate them between 10-70%, or 20-80%, or never fully charge them. Try that with a wet cell.
You're preaching to the "They're too expensive" crowd my friend.... The facts won't matter on the internet it's all about the "Perception"
__________________
Paul & Jean
2001 Alpine 36FDDS (74291)-3900W Solar, 13,440Wh (525Ah @24V) LiFePO4
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (Hemi)
2006 Alpenlite 32RL - Sold
paul65k is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2022, 09:36 AM   #36
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 2,184
Quote:
Originally Posted by paul65k View Post
You're preaching to the "They're too expensive" crowd my friend.... The facts won't matter on the internet it's all about the "Perception"
There is an up front premium. However, if we can cut through the misinformation, people will be able to make an educated decision. It’s an ongoing challenge because people want to hear what they already believe. Once a post is made that supports a misguided opinion, the debate is over.
Kid Gloves is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2022, 09:49 AM   #37
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada
Posts: 3,025
As I said at the beginning of the thread; I have four 225AH GC6's and two 170W solar panels. This weekend, I ran the furnace all night at 65 degrees, ambient temps were just around 40 deg F. overnight and around 55 - 60 deg. F during the day. I also had the fridge, water pump, some lights and the stereo running as well as charging our phones, etc. According to my Victron Smart Shunt, Friday evening I used 33 AH's and the readout was showing 95%, Saturday morning was overcast so I didn't expect much from the solar but the batteries showed a full charge by 10:30am. On Sunday morning, the readouts showed 94% and with full sun, the batteries were showing full charge by 9:00am.

I'm satisfied with the performance of my set up given my usage. I believe in the superiority of Lithium batteries but since my trailer came with two brand new GC-6's, it was far, far cheaper to add two more than do buy 200 - 300AH's of Lithium. My last GC-6's were still running strong when I sold the RV at 6 years, when these ones are done, I'll probably upgrade to Li.


Dave
__________________
2022 Outdoors RV 25RDS, 2022 F350 dually, 6.7PSD, 10 spd, 3.55's
Dave Pelletier is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2022, 09:51 AM   #38
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada
Posts: 3,025
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kid Gloves View Post
There is an up front premium. However, if we can cut through the misinformation, people will be able to make an educated decision. It’s an ongoing challenge because people want to hear what they already believe. Once a post is made that supports a misguided opinion, the debate is over.
Yep; it's called Confirmation Bias and it's rampant......no different than the guys asking whether anyone tows a 30', 10,000 lb trailer with their half ton hoping for a positive response to validate the decision they want to make...

Dave
__________________
2022 Outdoors RV 25RDS, 2022 F350 dually, 6.7PSD, 10 spd, 3.55's
Dave Pelletier is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2022, 10:40 AM   #39
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 2,184
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier View Post
Yep; it's called Confirmation Bias and it's rampant......no different than the guys asking whether anyone tows a 30', 10,000 lb trailer with their half ton hoping for a positive response to validate the decision they want to make...

Dave
Or, in some cases, to validate a decision that’s already been made.
Kid Gloves is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2022, 10:44 AM   #40
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada
Posts: 3,025
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kid Gloves View Post
Or, in some cases, to validate a decision that’s already been made.
absolutely.
__________________
2022 Outdoors RV 25RDS, 2022 F350 dually, 6.7PSD, 10 spd, 3.55's
Dave Pelletier is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2022, 11:51 AM   #41
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: SW WA State
Posts: 197
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier View Post
As I said at the beginning of the thread; I have four 225AH GC6's and two 170W solar panels. ...snip...
I'm satisfied with the performance of my set up given my usage. I believe in the superiority of Lithium batteries but since my trailer came with two brand new GC-6's, it was far, far cheaper to add two more than do buy 200 - 300AH's of Lithium. My last GC-6's were still running strong when I sold the RV at 6 years, when these ones are done, I'll probably upgrade to Li.
Dave
Exactly my situation and experience, albeit 400 watts I installed. We were traveling, down to 24 overnight and clear. But I was at 100% within a few hours. I WILL add more solar to my roof, and may build a portable. Not because I need it now, but for October, camping under trees,and for when the DW or grandkids leave the lights or TV on all day.

I expect I will be satisfied with 4 GC-2 6 volts. But getting 400 amps of lithium WILL allow for more electric use without needing to run my generator. And that's my goal, cut down on MY noise emissions.
BeatCJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2022, 01:01 PM   #42
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 36
I ran my furnace once...in full sunshine...hated it.
__________________
'97 Bounder, 11k
Elko NV 6,163
smallies is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
batteries, solar



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Adding 2 more house batteries and removing chassis batteries? midwest22 iRV2.com General Discussion 19 11-18-2019 02:16 AM
Batteries, batteries, batteries Farkey Class A Motorhome Discussions 24 04-26-2019 12:44 PM
Batteries, Batteries, Batteries... JasonDean Newmar Owner's Forum 46 07-09-2016 07:58 AM
Auxiliary Batteries vs. Main Batteries - which is which? Batteries dying.......😞 Napabeth Fleetwood Owner's Forum 16 08-05-2015 12:54 PM
More batteries rather than more solar panels? PeaceOwl Going Green 49 05-10-2015 11:29 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:40 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.