SiO2 Batteries
I'd like to hear from people who use the SiO2 batteries. Are you happy with them? Charging methods? What kind of current loads do you have?
Forum Discussion
HMS Beagle is correct. In my testing, the SiO2 G27 held constant amps (Bulk stage) longer than my regular AGM at the same charging rate, but only for the 78-88% SOC range. Amps tapered after that.
So doing a "50-80" is the same time, but you save some generator time if you go to 90 and have the SiO2. Another thing with the SiO2, like LFP, is you can safely run them down to a low SOC and they hold voltage up enough, and thus get more AH useage than regular batts where you try to stay above 50% SOC.
That is not so much a faster charging advantage, but you can do a "17-87" for 70% of AH at 27% charging rate, compared with a "50-80" or 30% of AH before tapering amps begin.
I found having the one SiO2 was awkward for charging at 27 amps limit, same as one regular AGM or FLA. The RV converter does not go that low!
To use my 55 amp converter, I need more like 200AH of battery bank. But LFP does let you recharge at 50% or even higher depending on brand recommendation, so you could use the 55 amper on one 100AH LFP.
The problem is that 100AH is not enough to go camping with in many/most scenarios, so you need 200AH anyway, so you get to use your 55 amper either way.
It is a special scenario thing to figure out. I think most RVers don't have the charging times info they would need to do that figuring, so they might spend a lot of money they don't need to if they want "faster charging".
IMO, there is a lot of LFP advertising that resembles the late 1950s when cars got new styles. "The Forward Look" did make those Dodge cars look much better than the previous "look", but it didn't get you to the store and back any better. :)
So doing a "50-80" is the same time, but you save some generator time if you go to 90 and have the SiO2. Another thing with the SiO2, like LFP, is you can safely run them down to a low SOC and they hold voltage up enough, and thus get more AH useage than regular batts where you try to stay above 50% SOC.
That is not so much a faster charging advantage, but you can do a "17-87" for 70% of AH at 27% charging rate, compared with a "50-80" or 30% of AH before tapering amps begin.
I found having the one SiO2 was awkward for charging at 27 amps limit, same as one regular AGM or FLA. The RV converter does not go that low!
To use my 55 amp converter, I need more like 200AH of battery bank. But LFP does let you recharge at 50% or even higher depending on brand recommendation, so you could use the 55 amper on one 100AH LFP.
The problem is that 100AH is not enough to go camping with in many/most scenarios, so you need 200AH anyway, so you get to use your 55 amper either way.
It is a special scenario thing to figure out. I think most RVers don't have the charging times info they would need to do that figuring, so they might spend a lot of money they don't need to if they want "faster charging".
IMO, there is a lot of LFP advertising that resembles the late 1950s when cars got new styles. "The Forward Look" did make those Dodge cars look much better than the previous "look", but it didn't get you to the store and back any better. :)
