Converted to Lithium-Ion be careful.
I know a few people have converted. This article although not truck camper specific warns of the dangers of unsupervised Lithium-Ion charging. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Conceptio...
Forum Discussion
theoldwizard1 wrote:camperdave wrote:
There is no evidence that lithium batteries caused or were a part of that fire. What a bad headline.
Very true !work2much wrote:
The article doesn't mention lithium battery chemistries although the types of equipment used would indicate they are not LifePO4 which is heavy and bulky compared to other lithium batteries commonly found in the types of electronics described in the article.
The chemistry used in the RV industry is typically Lithium iron phosphate which is very stable and has a very low risk of fire. Between lithium battery chemistries there are different levels of safety and handling perimeters.
Some DIYers are building "power walls" out of used lithium cobalt (the most common lithium battery chemistry because of it high power to weight ratio 18650 battery cells because they can get them cheap. Cell quality, charging and discharging rates, balancing and temperature monitoring are CRITICAL in these applications. I would stay away from these except in small sizes, (cell phones, laptops and power tools).
That is sort of a fringe element in lithium rv solar. Rebuilding used cells from Tesla or other can be a viable option but does require a pretty deep dive into the technology of battery management systems and controls.These batteries/cells work very well in electric cars every day. In rv use they are working at a small percentage of their capabilities. I cringe though when I see some simplified solutions on youtube. On the other hand I have seen some very well designed systems that I would feel very safe using. As always when you become your own manufacturer you also become your own warranty station and possible a victim of your own design.
I chose a LifePO4 system for my own 'DIY" Not as light as other chemistries but very safe and still drastically better power to weight ration compared to led acid. Also simplified battery management strategies.
I think 99% of those out there now using lithium in the RV are using drop in batteries with integral BMS systems. Time has earned batteries like battle born a confident nod to their reliability and safety IMO.
