Battery Help

If you want some real-world info on building a Li battery bank, check out my cousin's blog, where they've been gutting and rebuilding a '64 GM bus. Will be using an entire Nissan Leaf Lizard battery (plus 1 extra module) to power it, with 8 435w panels on the roof. URL is http://www.beginningfromthismorning.com/. Fascinating stuff. Had I a spare grand to play with, I'd build a smallish battery, with only 8 modules, paired into 12v (actually 14.8v) batteries, then paralled. Gives almost 500 ah capacity with a total weight of the batteries right at 67 lbs, or about the same weight of a single T105 6v. :-)

Lyle

Eyetattoo wrote:
Looking to put 4 6volt Trojan batteries in out 5th Wheel. I’m looking to the T105, T125 and T145. What would all of you suggest? Thanks!

I would suggest Crown batteries rather than Trojan.

Hi,

At -20 c (-4 f) Li jars can not be charged. Doing so apparently destroys them. I have used my RV at at -37 c (-34 f), and every year it gets well below -20 c.

Eyetattoo wrote:
Why is cold camping bad for Li batteries and how cold is considered cold?

pianotuna wrote:
By all means go LI if you can afford it. So long as you NEVER camp in cold weather.

The LI main advantage is they love being charged to 90% and do not get damaged with progressive capacity loss from doing so. They can be repeatedly discharged to 20%, again without damage.

Why is cold camping bad for Li batteries and how cold is considered cold?

One of the big claims to fame about LiFePO4 batteries is that they have a much longer life (discharge/charge cycles). Their claim is that this factor alone actually gives them a cost ADVANTAGE of lead-acid.

By all means go LI if you can afford it. So long as you NEVER camp in cold weather.

The LI main advantage is they love being charged to 90% and do not get damaged with progressive capacity loss from doing so. They can be repeatedly discharged to 20%, again without damage.

Hard to say if it's worth it, but for all around performance and light weight, Lithiums are the man.

I can get the 125s for $10 more than the 105s. Also got a suggestion to look at the LiFePO4 batteries. A lot more so wondering if it's worth it for a boondocker?

My Interstate 6 volts are about 5+ years old and still going strong. I hook up a single solar panel when in storage and all winter...check the water level every few months...very happy for the price!

Trackrig makes a very good point. If you don't boondock you don't need a lot of extra battery bank.