Just downsized from a Class A DP to a Class B+. I got the residential fridge in the new motorhome so power when off the grid is going to be more of an issue that it was before. I’ve been looking at Lithium batteries and they look like a good solution for me. Only problem I see is physical size. The two current batteries I have are 11.5 inches long and they are a tight fit in the battery compartment. All the lithium batteries I’ve seen are at least 12.5” or longer. So they won’t fit in the existing battery compartment without modifications. But those are all 100AH batteries. I see they also have 200AH lithium batteries. They are a lot longer, over 20 inches, but one of those batteries will fit in the compartment versus two 200AH batteries. So not only does the 200AH battery have a smaller footprint than two 100AH batteries, they are also quite a bit cheaper than buying two 100Ah batteries. Anybody see any issues in going with one 200ah battery versus two 100ah batteries?

The issue IMO isn’t the type of battery but the recharging of whatever batteries you get. With an adequate solar system recharging most days isn’t an issue.

Only reason to go 200 would be the 300 does not fit. I believe it is best to have a single unit when possible with lithium. Although if you have a large inverter you may need multiple to have sufficient continuous amp rating.Foe dimensions: (shop around) https://www.lithiumion-batteries.com/products/rv-lithium-batteries/12v-300ah-lithium-ion-battery.php

Msmith 1199, Sounds good to me ..... don't forget to address the battery charger situation if needs be....

Ed_Gee wrote:Msmith 1199, Sounds good to me ..... don't forget to address the battery charger situation if needs be....I haven’t figured out which converter I have yet. I went to the motorhome today and looked for it and couldn’t find it. Apparently it’s under the bed. So I’ll go back tomorrow and look there and get the specs off it and see if it will work with a big lithium battery.

time2roll wrote:Only reason to go 200 would be the 300 does not fit. I believe it is best to have a single unit when possible with lithium. Although if you have a large inverter you may need multiple to have sufficient continuous amp rating.Foe dimensions: (shop around) https://www.lithiumion-batteries.com/products/rv-lithium-batteries/12v-300ah-lithium-ion-battery.phpBased on the dimensions, I think that would fit, but I don’t want to spend three grand on a battery. The 200ah are in the 12 to 1400 range. I think that will do what I need. I just need to something to keep the fridge running for the day if we’re away from the motorhome. If I’m there I can run the generator.

Lithium Batteries | Good Sam Community

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Sep 06, 2020
The issue IMO isn’t the type of battery but the recharging of whatever batteries you get. With an adequate solar system recharging most days isn’t an issue.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 06, 2020
Only reason to go 200 would be the 300 does not fit. I believe it is best to have a single unit when possible with lithium. Although if you have a large inverter you may need multiple to have sufficient continuous amp rating.

Foe dimensions: (shop around)
https://www.lithiumion-batteries.com/products/rv-lithium-batteries/12v-300ah-lithium-ion-battery.php
Ed_Gee
Explorer II
Sep 06, 2020
Msmith 1199, Sounds good to me ..... don't forget to address the battery charger situation if needs be....
msmith1199
Explorer II
Sep 06, 2020
Ed_Gee wrote:
Msmith 1199, Sounds good to me ..... don't forget to address the battery charger situation if needs be....

I haven’t figured out which converter I have yet. I went to the motorhome today and looked for it and couldn’t find it. Apparently it’s under the bed. So I’ll go back tomorrow and look there and get the specs off it and see if it will work with a big lithium battery.
msmith1199
Explorer II
Sep 06, 2020
time2roll wrote:
Only reason to go 200 would be the 300 does not fit. I believe it is best to have a single unit when possible with lithium. Although if you have a large inverter you may need multiple to have sufficient continuous amp rating.

Foe dimensions: (shop around)
https://www.lithiumion-batteries.com/products/rv-lithium-batteries/12v-300ah-lithium-ion-battery.php

Based on the dimensions, I think that would fit, but I don’t want to spend three grand on a battery. The 200ah are in the 12 to 1400 range. I think that will do what I need. I just need to something to keep the fridge running for the day if we’re away from the motorhome. If I’m there I can run the generator.
corvettekent
Explorer
Sep 06, 2020
Since you are up grading the batteries you should think about installing 400 watts of solar.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 06, 2020
Consider SiO2 chemistry--1/2 the price. I'm not sure of the dimensions.

https://azimuthsolarproducts.com/product-category/batteries/ull/
Community Alumni
Sep 06, 2020
When you say residential style fridge, are you saying you have a compressor-type fridge or a true residential fridge? They both use a compressor but that's where the similarities end. Our Winnebago Navion came with a compressor-style fridge and 200 watts of solar from factory and we haven't had any problems overnighting without power or having to run the genny.
msmith1199
Explorer II
Sep 06, 2020
Beats me. I’m not a refrigeration guy either. It’s a whirlpool electric fridge.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Sep 06, 2020
msmith1199 wrote:
Beats me. I’m not a refrigeration guy either. It’s a whirlpool electric fridge.

What gemsworld was referring to were the 2 possibilities. One of them is a typical off the shelf residential fridge you can get at any big box store. (Sounds like what you have.)

The other possibility has a high-efficiency compressor called a Danfos type compressor. They are made to be used while in motion and run off 12V at high efficiency. Like these.