Battery Help

[Eyetattoo]

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!

[laknox]

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

[allen8106]

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.

[pianotuna]

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?

[Eyetattoo]

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?

[theoldwizard1]

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.

[pianotuna]

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.

[2oldman]

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

[Eyetattoo]

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?

[kopy_kat]

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!

[pianotuna]

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

[Trackrig]

I have the T125s, been using them for six years and they've done well. But, I must say you'll pay like 25% more for them over the T100s, but only get about 10% more amp hours. If you boondock a lot, it's probably worth it, but not if you spend most of your time plugged in.

Bill

[theoldwizard1]

The T125 and T145 hold a little bit more energy, but you will pay a lot for it ! T105 are more common and you will probably get them at a much better price.

If you really want to save a few $$$, get Interstate GC2 at Costco or Duracell GC2 at Sams Club. They hold a bit less energy, but are much more "cost effective" ($$$/A-Hr @ 20Hr rate)

You pay a lot of extra $$ for T105-AGM and lose a bit of capacity.

[Ed_Gee]

Yes, what both Pianotuna and 2oldman said!

[2oldman]

I'd like to see you try the AGMs. So nice to not have to water the darn things.