Re: Lithium battery conversion
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116025
Wes - Only you can decide if jumping to Lithium now is the right move for you. Wet is of course the lease expensive, and probably best bang for the current buck. AGM's (See my comment below on Lifeline.) is for sure an alternative, but bit more expensive. And Lithium, which I personally consider safe (The fire related lithium battery problems were not the same kind of lithium used in coaches.), are going to cost you much more up front. And depending upon the choice of battery, might require being installed in a climate controlled environment in the coach.
No right or wrong, just choices.
If going to Lithium, go the full way. Make sure you have upgraded charger's and battery management systems, that complaint whatever choice of Lithium you may choose. And budget a good 20-25% more then just the cost of the Lithium, do get these complementary components.
I personally had plan to shift to Lithium, when my bank of Lifeline AGM's needed replacement. Unfortunately, I made a mistake in understanding how the upgraded Inverter/Charger system I installed with my solar system and larger sized Lifeline AGM's worked with each other. And the bank failed about 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 years earlier then I expected. (This is on me, not Lifeline. Or Magnum (MS2812) or MidNite Classic150 Solar Controller. I was the one that did not have them set to play well with each other, and shortened the life of my X's 4 L16 Lifeline House Bank.).
Both the timing was off budget wise, and also Lifeline did a very standup thing, and offered me a good discount on a replacement bank of batteries. (Well past their warranty period, and understanding that I had probably shortened their life by how I had everything set up... They still stepped into help me figure what had happened, and were kind to me on a replacement bank.) So, that made it easier for me to stay with the same setup, but with adjustment's to how I maintained them...
I have zero problem recommending Lifeline's. In fact, if you are not a heavy boondocker. Or, if you do not want to also upgrade the rest of the supporting components at the sametime, I feel AGM's (Yep, I like Lifeline's. But also know that Fullriver's get positive reviews by their owners too...). And, if you don't mind the maintenance, and say add water filling systems - Wet Trojan's or Crown's or 'other' cell batteries are still a viable way to go.
How much do you want to spend? Is weight a concern for you? (I'd love to save about 300 pounds by going Lithium.) Do you mind moving your batteries into a part of your coach that is climate controlled? If not, then paying more for a self contained, heated/cooled Lithium battery bank is possible now a days. (Might fit into your exiting battery bay.) But at higher prices... (RVGEEKS are covering an install of Xantrex self contained Lithium bank. Which sure looks interesting:)!)
It really comes down to how much you want to spend now. Going to hang onto the coach long enough for hopeful/potentilal payback of longer life? Do you boon dock enough to warrant it? Etc., Etc.
Good luck on what you decide, and keep us all n the loop - if you go down the Lithium path. (And note. YES! You can do Lithium without replacing your existing gear, but, be sure you have an adequate BMS and the ability to monitor everything too, after the expense of such an upgrade. Thus my thoughts on making sure your supporting component's complement Lithium, if you go that route...).
Looking forward to hearing which way you go!
Best to you and all,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
Topic: Lithium battery conversion (Read 1639 times)
previous topic - next topic
Country Coach Motorcoach Forum