Renogy Solar thinking about getting into Lithium systems

[rjsurfer]

Just took a small survey from Renogy about current battery setup. They mentioned that they are planning a "new Lithium energy pack" and are looking at present RV battery configurations.

I have been happy with their equipment and customer service so far and would like to see what they come up with.

Ron W

[Creekside_Campe]

These guys have a pretty thorough review of their lithium system, including the downside:
http://www.technomadia.com/lithium/

[2oldman]

I'm happy with 8 AGMs, but not happy about the 400+lb.

What I think will be slick about the Li's is they don't lose voltage at any discharge rate. Run the microwave with no voltage drop? Cool!

[MrWizard]

at this point in time
I'm quite happy with my (5)*135 amp hrs, that cost $350 for 675 amp Hrs of ups AGM Telco/server batteries

I won't be jumping to lithium anytime soon

[2oldman]

wa8yxm wrote:
Some of the info I'm seeing is some of the Li formulas are now costing about the same as T-105 Trojan's. So 10 times the cost... Is no more..

Where are you getting this?

[horton333]

From what I can tell, still educating myself, the big issue is the cells are not reproducible yet. This means each cell has to be individually balanced or is overcharges and becomes ruined and or overheats and hence the sharing circuitry which has to monitor and control each cell. You buy it ready made with drop in replacement units like Smart Batteries or roll your own which is a lot cheaper and in my case allows me a lot more flexibility on the shape as I plan to use an existing space beside the power panel and it's 2 inches short for an 8D size battery.

[2oldman]

grizzzman wrote:
Here ya go

Thanks. I see they do also sell 12v 100ah battery packs for a few hundred less than the batteries I'm referring to. Makes one wonder what you're getting or not getting. Have to be careful, because you wouldn't want to ruin one just to save a few bucks.

[wa8yxm]

Some of the info I'm seeing is some of the Li formulas are now costing about the same as T-105 Trojan's. So 10 times the cost... Is no more.

I'd like to see Li technology get down to around the safety and cost of say GC-2's at Costco.

[brulaz]

time2roll wrote:
100AH lithium = 200AH Lead acid as you really should be using just 50% w/ lead acid.

At 100% DoD lithium goes 3000 to 5000 cycles. Lead acid 300 to 500 cycles.

You don't use 100% of Li Ah either. Some risk 10-90% "between the knees" so 80% of Ah available. Others are only willing to do 20-80% or 60% of Ah.

Keeping the cells in sync and within the "knees" is where the electronics is necessary. I wouldn't trust doing it manually.

But yes, generally more life-cycles.

Another issue with lithium is charging when below freezing: not good for the batteries. They can be discharged though.

[grizzzman]

2oldman wrote:

grizzzman wrote:

Dang I can pick up USA stock 100AH cells for 112.00 each plus shipping
So 448.00 plus shipping. Is a far cry from 1200.00

A $1200 battery is much more than cells.

I'll bite... where you do get these cells?

Here ya go

[Aridon]

MrWizard wrote:

Boon Docker wrote:
Ten times the cycles, ten times the cost. Works out to about the same in the long run. 😉

yeah but you got to have the up front money to buy them

a long haul investment you gotta hope pays off

not enough years of documented experience to verify all the claims

and whats the difference between these (for RV/marine use)

and cellphone/laptop etc.. that need replaced after only two years and 700=+ cycles

Not too mention the opportunity cost of the money sitting in an expensive system that you will never see a positive return on when taking that into account. People always seem to forget the opportunity cost.

I'm grateful for all the early adopters though. In another decade we should have something worth buying and affordable.

[mlts22]

I'd be upgrading almost everything else. I can see lithium batteries useful for vans that cost a quarter of a mill because people are willing to pay the big bucks to have the most bang possible in that small a rig.

However, on my current rig, and even the next motorhome, there will be a lot of other electrical things that need improving before I spend the money for the lithium batteries and their special charge controllers.

[MrWizard]

Boon Docker wrote:
Ten times the cycles, ten times the cost. Works out to about the same in the long run. 😉

yeah but you got to have the up front money to buy them

a long haul investment you gotta hope pays off

not enough years of documented experience to verify all the claims

and whats the difference between these (for RV/marine use)

and cellphone/laptop etc.. that need replaced after only two years and 700=+ cycles

[2oldman]

grizzzman wrote:

Dang I can pick up USA stock 100AH cells for 112.00 each plus shipping
So 448.00 plus shipping. Is a far cry from 1200.00

A $1200 battery is much more than cells.

I'll bite... where you do get these cells?

[Boon_Docker]

Ten times the cycles, ten times the cost. Works out to about the same in the long run. 😉