What does the authority here on solar have as an opinion and any usage reports, installation differences from AGM or where to buy etc...Finding good reads...

None of my friends have Lithium batteries so I have no one to ask or compare.

Surviver76 wrote:What does the authority here on solar have as an opinion and any usage reports, installation differences from AGM or where to buy etc...It would seem that lithium ion deep cycle battery technology has now matured to the point where they become the obvious choice for those expecting the most out of their batteries, EXCEPT for price which dissuades all but the most avid dry campers from even considering them. Recently while Down Under I visited an outdoor caravan show where it was obvious Australians are way ahead of the curve when it comes to the quality & variety of products being offered, including LiFePo4 deep cycle batteries which are readily available everywhere.It really comes down to cost and whether the many advantages of lithium ion are worth it to you. Heck, not me, I even struggle with the cost of an AGM! :W

I use AGM and love them, I think i would like Lithium, but the cost factor for equivalent amp hr, capacity/use is to much for meI got almost 5 years or of everyday full-time use , out of my first setBought my second set in April this year

Hi AMsolar is an interesting resource and extremely positive. However, by avoiding the negative it may some times be misleading.For example--LI, while it can be discharged in cold, it may NOT be recharged.There are some sources that suggest that LI may not do well with high current draws. For example, at least some 300 amp-hour LI battery banks, may only be capable of powering about a 1200 watt inverter. That's not enough for my particular use pattern.So please take what AMsolar suggests with a grain of salt.I am distinctly NOT an authority on solar.For more thoughts, surf here: https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/Surviver76 wrote:What does the authority here on solar have as an opinion and any usage reports, installation differences from AGM or where to buy etc...Finding good reads...

pianotuna wrote:There are some sources that suggest that LI may not do well with high current draws. For example, at least some 300 amp-hour LI battery banks, may only be capable of powering about a 1200 watt inverter. Haven't seen anything like that yet.Installation is no different from AGM as Li's can run in any position. It's the weight savings that's so nice.

Lithium Ion Batteries for RV Solar??? | Good Sam Community

ependydad
Explorer
Dec 16, 2017
MrWizard wrote:
ependydad wrote:
I opted for 12v drop-ins. Many of the benefits in a quick and easy drop-in package. Outside of the price and the issues with recharging below freezing (I try to avoid being in below freezing conditions!) - these were the best choice for me. The weight of them is crazy amazing.

http://learntorv.com/battery-upgrade/

you might want to correct this phrase

It seems that most people are opting for 6v batteries and wiring 2 in parallel to combine them to 12v. If they get multiple batteries, they’ll wire the pairs of 12v batteries in series to increase the size of their battery banks

you got that backwards , its 2 in series for 12v

"seried pairs" in parallel for large bank

Thanks MrWizard! I've fixed it.
MrWizard
Moderator
Dec 16, 2017
ependydad wrote:
I opted for 12v drop-ins. Many of the benefits in a quick and easy drop-in package. Outside of the price and the issues with recharging below freezing (I try to avoid being in below freezing conditions!) - these were the best choice for me. The weight of them is crazy amazing.

http://learntorv.com/battery-upgrade/

you might want to correct this phrase

It seems that most people are opting for 6v batteries and wiring 2 in parallel to combine them to 12v. If they get multiple batteries, they’ll wire the pairs of 12v batteries in series to increase the size of their battery banks

you got that backwards , its 2 in series for 12v

"seried pairs" in parallel for large bank
time2roll
Nomad
Dec 16, 2017
Model S most definitely has a battery heater operating when the vehicle is on in the cold.
Also on when charging in the cold.
gatorcq
Explorer
Dec 16, 2017
Chevy Volt battery
free_radical
Explorer
Dec 15, 2017
time2roll wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
The issue of cold weather charging is a deal breaker for me, and probably always will be.
Since powerwall is generally constant on the grid I assume it includes a heater and cooling fan.

Otherwise best to have lithium in a heated compartment in very cold conditions.

Hmmm,,I wonder how does Tesla batery stay warm in very cold temps..?

Sleeping in Tesla in -17C

https://youtu.be/2WeOc9qWujA
ependydad
Explorer
Dec 15, 2017
I opted for 12v drop-ins. Many of the benefits in a quick and easy drop-in package. Outside of the price and the issues with recharging below freezing (I try to avoid being in below freezing conditions!) - these were the best choice for me. The weight of them is crazy amazing.

http://learntorv.com/battery-upgrade/
time2roll
Nomad
Dec 14, 2017
pianotuna wrote:
The issue of cold weather charging is a deal breaker for me, and probably always will be.
Since powerwall is generally constant on the grid I assume it includes a heater and cooling fan.

Otherwise best to have lithium in a heated compartment in very cold conditions.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Dec 14, 2017
The whole thrust of the powerwall is grid tied. It won't work without the grid. Work arounds are possible.

The used Li battery bank is intriguing, but the cost may be prohibitive. My bank has about 6 kwh of which 3 may be used. Cost was under $500.00. If they could get the voltage down to a nominal 12, then it would not be so costly to upgrade.

The issue of cold weather charging is a deal breaker for me, and probably always will be.

free radical wrote:
Just wondering could Tesla powerpack be used for Rvs?

https://www.tesla.com/en_CA/powerwall
Just noticed the price,so thats probably no no for most of us here..:)

How about some used Lion batts,,could those be made to work in RV?

http://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=463
MrWizard
Moderator
Dec 14, 2017
i recently looked at that site, and those Telsa batteries

200miles per charge cycle, 100,000 miles aka 500 cycles to loose 15% capacity
1000 cyles batterys down to 3829 watt hrs aka 3.8KwHrs

5.3kwhr $1450 $0.274 per KWhr, plus new inverter, plus new charger etc..

10% of the weight of my 675 AmpHr aka 8000 watt hr aka 8.0 KwHr AGM bank
4kw useable to 50% cost $350 $0.087 per useable watthr based on 4kw 50% use

will the weight difference save $1100 worth of fuel over the life span of the lithium ? will they last 5yrs and 1800 cycles , will they last 10 or 15yrs
at 3 times the cost per KW hr, they need too, just to balance out the cost effectiveness of surplus AGM
and this is a ROLL your Own DIY system

2oldman can tell you about the cost of a ready to install retail Li battery

perhaps i'll change my mind in a year or TWO, but not today
time2roll
Nomad
Dec 14, 2017
If you have the space and weight capacity powerwall should work fine.
I would not bother unless it was a 50 amp RV. Good luck getting Tesla to install. Not sure they do carry out.