Switch to LIFePO4?

Are the Rolls batteries dying?

I'd consider moving to a higher voltage.

I have been living off of lfp/ solar for 37 months now of which 35+ months have been boondocking (877 day stretch right now). Equipment installed... 12v 500ah lithium batteries (GBS LFMP battery system, 20 prismatic cells 4S5P). 8 CTI 160 watt panels (1,280 watts), 2S4P. Panels lay flat on the roof. Magnum PT100 controller, Magnum 3012 hybrid inverter. There is a 7" display monitor and the ME-ARC 50 to read the performance of the system. A sub panel was added so everything in the 5th wheel except the water heater is running through the inverter. Entire weight of system 500#.
The batteries, inverter, controller are mounted in the front compartment. I insulated the walls better with 2" foam board cut to fit all area between the structure supports. One of these pieces can be removed during warmer weather to allow for air flow (cooling). My lfp packs actually have cell temp readings which is important if using in different environments. Last time I looked I don't think BB have cell temp displays (if wrong I stand corrected, check lifeblue lfp batteries IMO they're better than BB and same warranty).
I also have a thermometer in that compartment so temp can be seen, along with an outside thermometer. Now I don't do Canadian cold living but have been into the 20f range and the front compartment will be in 35-40f area with the lfp cells usally 5f warmer. I should say that there is always some draw on them from 2-7ah through the night so that might help keeping the cells warmer.
The cells do have protection for below 32f temps that won't allow charging but still can be used down to -4f. Once the EMS sees cell temps are above it will allow charging.
If I was going to be in colder weather or long stretches of that weather I'll get a reptile warming pad for the batteries.
As far charging I do nothing special let solar do what it can, if the lfp batteries get down to 25-30% soc and it looks like solar won't charge enough I'll hook up the eu2000i generator for 2 hours and give them a 200ah (40%) boost. In any given year the generator has not been used more than 12 times tops.

theoldwizard1 wrote:
Did you mean below 0F ?

I don't think so.

The 0c issue can be handled by installing a ventless catalyst heater then using a high efficiency computer fan to send enough heat to the storage compartment to maintain temps above 0C. You absolutely need to clad the interior of the compartment with hardboard cell foam paneling to reduce heat loss. The heaters range in size the 3,000 BTU is plenty. The heater can be adjusted down to 33% of 3,000 BTU will be a PITA to foute Use a hood above the heater to capture by convention and a good fan like an EB Pabst 24 volt running on 12 volts will not consume an excess of battery. The 4" flexible ducting will be a challenge but if you are serious it is doable.

The surplus center of Nebraska has the correct fan. See if you local heating contractor can sheet metal a stainless range hood to go atop the Olympian heater.

Be a pity to give up those nice batteries before their time.

What is the weight issue exactly? Our 5er maxed the Chev 6.0 gas for pulling GCWR, but was ok for pin weight. If the truck had been Diesel, that would have made us overweight for the truck, but given us more pulling power. Yours is a gas though, so pin weight should be ok?

At times I had six batteries in the front cargo space, no problem with weight.

phemens wrote:
One of my concerns is the limitation on charging and discharging below 0C. We don’t have those conditions often here in Canada, but it is a consideration.

I'm sure Montreal gets below freezing often.

Did you mean below 0F ?

A pair of BB10012 (or maybe a bit larger, footprint permitting) are probably going to replace my 2 FLA Napa factory installs, when they degrade (and they're probably on their way) and need replaced.
The BB LiFePO4 units have a built in BMS that prevents all the horror story stuff you read about online, like charging below 32F, over/under charging, and whatever else negative they come up with. As far as I can tell, they're idiot proof.
I've been in touch via email with BB Technical Support, and they're very good on following up with you and your questions.

They are pricey (obvious), but I will probably break even over time, and they have so many pluses over FLA/AGM/Gel batteries, that I'm going to ignore the price when the time comes, and just do it.
Check with Solacity in Kemptville, ON for any other questions. They're also quite good with support/questions via email. I believe they're also the only retailer for BB in Ontario. There isn't a major dealer network for these things in Canada, yet.