Scotty I need more power!

msmith1199 wrote:

StirCrazy wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:
After a recent extended trip without hookups, and a lot of research, I decided I need more battery capacity! But I have no room for another battery. About two years ago I bought two Battle Born 100 AH Lipo4 batteries. I downsized my motorhome to a smaller Class C and there isn’t room in the battery compartment and no nearby location to put another. But BattleBorn does make 270ah battery that will fit in the existing compartment. If I was buying now I’d definitely get that one over the two 100AH batteries. And I still may get it anyway. But it is $2400! I may go ahead and do it if I thought I could sell my two year old batteries. Is there a market for used LiPo4 batteries? I think I paid about $900 each for them and they are $950 each now. If I could get half that I’d pull the trigger and get the bigger battery.

You have quite a dilemma I guess, if 70 AH is all you need to cover the rest of your extended camping there are far cheaper ways to do it. I don't like generators myself; you must physically start them when needed and with so many campgrounds putting restrictions on hours they can be run getting a meaning full charge is getting harder. Also, they are noisy and disturb everyone else. Now instead of changing batteries, you could easily do one 350-watt solar panel with an MPPT charger for under 400 US if you can install it yourself. maybe an extra 2 or 300 if you have to pay someone to install it. still cheaper than a genny or buying another genny. So, my 325-watt solar panel with a renogy mppt charge controller will replace 36AH to my batteries by noon so really you could get say 50AH or more a day replenished to the battery. so over a long weekend (3 days) that would be like adding a 150-200AH battery to your existing battery bank giving you the same performance as a 350 to 400AH battery bank.

Just something to think about

Solar is an option and I actually have a 200watt portable panel. Last time I used it it also didn’t give me enough power to the batteries. I was camping in very cold weather and needed the heater at night. The batteries didn’t last through the night. But I also didn’t run the generator enough that day. This last trip I found that I probably need to run the generator at least four hours a day to get me through the night since I have a residential fridge and I had left the Satelite receivers on and a CPAP. That was my longest extended camping trip without hookups. So I eventually learned to manage the power better and get me through the night. But I think that extra 70 amps would get me through the night just fine. This last trip I didn’t need the heater so I know how to get through the night as long as I don’t need heat, but I’ll have to work on something different for upcoming winter trips to the desert. I have installed a Victron SmartShunt now so that will help with battery management.

If I read that right, you're saying you need up to 270AH just to make it through the night? as in 24 hours of camping?

ya that little 200 watt solar panel or even the one I mentioned isn't going to recharge your batteries, or even a generator running for 4 hours a day for that matter.