DIY LiFePO4 build
so this started because I gave away my first DIY build (280amp) to a good friend, because I also wanted to upgrade the 5th wheel but standardize the batteries between the 5th and truck camper so I ca...
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Nice job, I am looking at doing my dads motorhome for him if he decides it will be worth it for how much they use it lately. I won't build the batteries myself, for him I'll get store bought, because he likes to tinker with things for no reason so the less exposed stuff the better 😁
I have always run everything off battery, we rarely get plugin sites, unless we are traveling for a wedding or something where we are just using the 5th wheel to save money over a hotel, but camping it is a rare site for either the 5th or the camper to be plugged in. what made that possible wasn't necessarily the LiFePO4 batteries, but more the solar and having enough batteries just to do a long weekend with out solar. I would highly recommend solar, it is the cheapest part of your build if you plan it right and can install the panels yourself. I am in the middle of planning the solar upgrade for the 5th wheel as I want to run the outdoor kitchen fridge 24/7 and found out I lose 20% of my capacity a day when it is really hot and try run it. right now it has three 160watt panels, I am looking at three 450watt panels for the upgrade, maybe four. I am at the stage when I am on the roof with a chunk of cardboard the same size as the panels trying to pick a layout for laying them out.
seriously though you can get those big panels for 250ish Cdn then its the controller and your installation and your done. I am toying with the idea of using a micro inverter on the panels instead of a traditional solar charge controller, but I am still hashing that one out.
All valid points about solar. Reasons I’m hesitant to pull the trigger on solar is a couple things:
- Not sure how effective it will be, when 90% of the places we like to camp are out in the woods, very shaded, where solar panels would not bring in much power.
- Presently, we never camp off grid more than a few days, and as long as we don’t need air conditioning, batteries I have now can easily handle such without needing any recharging.
- Not crazy about expensive solar panels permanently mounted on roof, where they can be easily damaged by falling branches, tree debris, etc.
- After a recent trip to the scales, I found our Motorhome (fully loaded) is a bit heavier than I thought, closer to limits than I’d prefer. Not anxious to add even more weight and make that worse, at least not until I can find some ways to drop some weight (whole nother discussion).
- With an onboard built in 5500 watt generator to fall back on that will generate power rain or shine, really question if solar is really worth the trouble, expense.
I probably will do it one day, just cause I really like tinkering, upgrading (it’s addictive, hahaha). But, not for a while.
Will
