So these new technology LiFePo batteries has caught my attention recently, with all the new threads on the subject matter. They are almost out of the infant stage / bleeding edge / price gouging production stages and into the main stream / lower cost of production / economies of scale level for some of the fatter cats around here.And it got me to thinking about how gas for the Honda Eu2000i is under $2 gallon, Honda's are now made cheap in Thailand, and LiFePo batteries just LOVE to suck up the amps at ridiculous charging rates, pretty clost to a 97 to 98% level of charge.What is this going to do for battery amps capability of charge controllers for the dry camper? How much shorter run times are we talking if you really Honk on Bobo the generator and make it earn it's keep? What about the absence of taper charging except near the very end? What about the favoribility of keeping the batteries charged in the middle 80% and longevity and charge cycles of these batteries? Is 2000 or 3000 charge cycles the reality and how much capacity do you lose towards the end of the batteries life cycle?Heady times, and a whole new bunch of cutting edge industries and products will need to come down the line to meet our new needs.You thoughts on generators and charge controllers and charging speed/run times for the new breed of batteries?

Gas wont stay that low long.Even if the new tech became affordable for me I would have to replace my converter, home chargers and charge controller too just to take advantage of them. Even at that my solar can't put out that kind of current if I were to plaster my roof.How much can a EU2000 push? It seems to me that getting into the upper ranges of charging would exceed their abilities but can't say that for sure. I do know that losses from altitude and heat make one useless even with our piece of junk converter pulling 975w. Even if it could it would be balls to the wall and I can tell you that with my generator, there is a huge difference in gas usage from a light load to balls to the wall running.

Hi Niner,It is my understanding that LI don't require full charging for longevity. I.E. no "sulfation" effect exists. Therefore there is no need to do more than replace the energy that has been used in a day. Of course, if on shore power that is "free" one may as well get to 100% SOC.Definitely exciting times! Given current lower pricing it is just as cheap to do 400 amp-hours of LI as 800 of AGM. So, if you demand nearly maintenance free batteries, LI is affordable now.

that's right, enjoy the price of gas now, they are just gearing up for the big jump to $5 or$6 a gallon

pianotuna wrote:Definitely exciting times! Given current lower pricing it is just as cheap to do 400 amp-hours of LI as 800 of AGM. So, if you demand nearly maintenance free batteries, LI is affordable now.Because of the strict voltage limits at both top and bottom I keep thinking lithium may need to be same size or larger to avoid a blackout in the wrong conditions.I definitely think the solar harvest will significantly improve. Should produce max all day instead of tapering from 11am to 6pm. This may also call for more storage instead of less.I am thinking more in the 1000 amp hour range to run the air conditioner into the evening etc. This would be a huge volume and weight in lead-acid. Many RVs seem to have space and weight issues preventing battery capacity upgrade. Lithium would provide a significant improvement in these cases.I am hoping the BMS for a 12v system will be scalable to a larger battery without more cost.

Well, the current price levels will keep them out of golf carts for a long time.

The future of Dry camping and charging with LiFePo battery

146 Replies

MrWizard
Moderator
Jan 14, 2015
on the news last night, some oil wells in Texas have been shut down,
saying production cost is to high to compete with the new lower $55 barrel prices

of course the oil industry has been running rampant for years, making increasing profits and cash flow (not the everyday worker)

they will restart those wells after prices go back into the stratosphere,
NinerBikes
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
Well, the current price levels will keep them out of golf carts for a long time.
time2roll
Nomad
Jan 14, 2015
pianotuna wrote:
Definitely exciting times! Given current lower pricing it is just as cheap to do 400 amp-hours of LI as 800 of AGM. So, if you demand nearly maintenance free batteries, LI is affordable now.
Because of the strict voltage limits at both top and bottom I keep thinking lithium may need to be same size or larger to avoid a blackout in the wrong conditions.

I definitely think the solar harvest will significantly improve. Should produce max all day instead of tapering from 11am to 6pm. This may also call for more storage instead of less.

I am thinking more in the 1000 amp hour range to run the air conditioner into the evening etc. This would be a huge volume and weight in lead-acid. Many RVs seem to have space and weight issues preventing battery capacity upgrade. Lithium would provide a significant improvement in these cases.

I am hoping the BMS for a 12v system will be scalable to a larger battery without more cost.
old_guy
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
that's right, enjoy the price of gas now, they are just gearing up for the big jump to $5 or$6 a gallon
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jan 14, 2015
Hi Niner,

It is my understanding that LI don't require full charging for longevity. I.E. no "sulfation" effect exists. Therefore there is no need to do more than replace the energy that has been used in a day. Of course, if on shore power that is "free" one may as well get to 100% SOC.

Definitely exciting times! Given current lower pricing it is just as cheap to do 400 amp-hours of LI as 800 of AGM. So, if you demand nearly maintenance free batteries, LI is affordable now.
JiminDenver
Explorer II
Jan 14, 2015
Gas wont stay that low long.

Even if the new tech became affordable for me I would have to replace my converter, home chargers and charge controller too just to take advantage of them. Even at that my solar can't put out that kind of current if I were to plaster my roof.

How much can a EU2000 push? It seems to me that getting into the upper ranges of charging would exceed their abilities but can't say that for sure. I do know that losses from altitude and heat make one useless even with our piece of junk converter pulling 975w. Even if it could it would be balls to the wall and I can tell you that with my generator, there is a huge difference in gas usage from a light load to balls to the wall running.

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The future of Dry camping and charging with LiFePo battery

146 Replies

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