Lithium Iron Batteries and Charging Systems
I got an e-mail from Powersonic battery company describing the virtues of their line of "Lifepro" Lithium batteries for RV use, replacing sealed lead acid (SLA) type batteries. We have two 6 volt deep...
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We own a 2007 Phoenix Cruiser with a Tripp-Lite 2000W inverter/convertor combo unit. Our rig was originally equipped with two wet acid 12V house batteries, easily inspected through the use of the battery tray.
When it came time to replace the second set of 12V wet acid batteries in April 2015, I looked into Lithium technology. I also looked into AGM, and the various 6V options. Our Tripp-Lite was engineered to handle AGM technology (6Vx2 or 12V didn't matter) when set appropriately, but had no accommodation for Lithium technology. So a pair of 6V-AGM made the most sense. It didn't help that Lithium batteries were crazy expensive. Our 6V AGMs were twice that of the 12V wet acid. I bought them at Sam's Club for $180 each back then but are no longer available here in the Chicago area. The next cheapest 6V-AGM I found locally is THIS ONE at Batteries Plus. You can save 10% buy ordering on-line and picking up at your specified store.
I got only 2 good years from each pair of 12V-wet acid batteries, one marginal year, and one poor year. With the pair of 6V-AGMs, we've got 6 good years so far and counting, still performing quite nicely, so needless to say we are very happy with the change to 6V AGMs.
When it comes time to replace these batteries, I might consider sealed wet acid due to the cost. I cannot consider standard wet acid because I ditched the battery tray to get the extra height required for the 6V batteries, leaving no practical means of checking fluid levels.
When it came time to replace the second set of 12V wet acid batteries in April 2015, I looked into Lithium technology. I also looked into AGM, and the various 6V options. Our Tripp-Lite was engineered to handle AGM technology (6Vx2 or 12V didn't matter) when set appropriately, but had no accommodation for Lithium technology. So a pair of 6V-AGM made the most sense. It didn't help that Lithium batteries were crazy expensive. Our 6V AGMs were twice that of the 12V wet acid. I bought them at Sam's Club for $180 each back then but are no longer available here in the Chicago area. The next cheapest 6V-AGM I found locally is THIS ONE at Batteries Plus. You can save 10% buy ordering on-line and picking up at your specified store.
I got only 2 good years from each pair of 12V-wet acid batteries, one marginal year, and one poor year. With the pair of 6V-AGMs, we've got 6 good years so far and counting, still performing quite nicely, so needless to say we are very happy with the change to 6V AGMs.
When it comes time to replace these batteries, I might consider sealed wet acid due to the cost. I cannot consider standard wet acid because I ditched the battery tray to get the extra height required for the 6V batteries, leaving no practical means of checking fluid levels.
