marc
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 15
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Post by marc on Jan 12, 2023 16:45:51 GMT -5
Does anybody have experience with a Lithium Battery? I'm considering changing my Group 24 Deep Cycle for a Lithium. We do a fair amount of boondocking and I'd like to have a little more peace of mind (especially when the solar's not getting a charge).
I know the Go Power Solar Charge Controller has an option for Lithium battery, so I think that should be fine. But wondering if I would need to change out the converter box.
Appreciate any and all help/ thoughts on this.
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Post by navylcdr on Jan 12, 2023 19:51:37 GMT -5
First question is do you plan on using a generator while boondocking?
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marc
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 15
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Post by marc on Jan 13, 2023 10:08:45 GMT -5
First question is do you plan on using a generator while boondocking? ideally only to run the AC and charge battery when it is low |
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Post by navylcdr on Jan 13, 2023 11:21:32 GMT -5
First question is do you plan on using a generator while boondocking? ideally only to run the AC and charge battery when it is low Then I would suggest installing a charger capable of topping off the Li battery from the 120v AC side as a backup to the solar. The most permanent, least obtrusive, and most expensive way would be to replace the converter (which is what I would do). Or you could just connect a separate Li capable battery charger to the generator or AC outlet in the trailer and either the battery or the DC buss in the RV to top off the Li battery from the generator. You non-Li capable converter will only get you to about 80% charge on the Li battery because it does not have a high enough finishing voltage. Then you would have to rely upon the solar to top off the Li battery to 100%. You might want to look at your current power center/converter. If it is a WFCO model that ends with AD, the AD means Auto Detect and it is supposed to detect a Li battery and be capable of charging it to 100% - but some people have reported the feature does not work well. |
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marc
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 15
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Post by marc on Jan 13, 2023 12:04:38 GMT -5
ideally only to run the AC and charge battery when it is low Then I would suggest installing a charger capable of topping off the Li battery from the 120v AC side as a backup to the solar. The most permanent, least obtrusive, and most expensive way would be to replace the converter (which is what I would do). Or you could just connect a separate Li capable battery charger to the generator or AC outlet in the trailer and either the battery or the DC buss in the RV to top off the Li battery from the generator. You non-Li capable converter will only get you to about 80% charge on the Li battery because it does not have a high enough finishing voltage. Then you would have to rely upon the solar to top off the Li battery to 100%. You might want to look at your current power center/converter. If it is a WFCO model that ends with AD, the AD means Auto Detect and it is supposed to detect a Li battery and be capable of charging it to 100% - but some people have reported the feature does not work well. OK - that makes sense. I do have a WF-8955-AD which states: " the WF-8955-AD Power Center includes an industry-first, Auto-Detect technology. This new microprocessor-driven technology will recognize lithium-ion and lead-acid battery chemistries and automatically adjust the charging profile to match the battery type." So technically it is capable of detecting a Li Battery and topping it off to 100%. Now it's time to look for reviews on how well it performs. Good to know I could just swap out my Lead Acid for Lithium. Would there be a need to change any wiring? Thank you sir. |
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Post by navylcdr on Jan 13, 2023 22:12:26 GMT -5
No need to change wiring. You already have a converter and Solar charger that are advertised as being Li capable.
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Post by alancavin on Mar 20, 2023 23:24:08 GMT -5
Marc - i’m working on the same issue and have the same setup. what I’m running into is that the LiFePo4 batteries tend to be wider and so won’t fit in my standard battery box! 200 Ah size is too long - I have a double size battery box to hold 2 regular lead-acid batteries. I found one brand - Enjoybot - that has a 100Ah with a low temp cutoff (needed here in Colorado) that will fit the width. Mounting the battery inside is problematic due to the enclosed underbelly and having to run extra wires. Mine is not a good long term boondocking solution, but it will let me spend some unconnected nights (Harvest Host, Cabelas, Walmart, etc) while traveling from A to B. Let us know how you work it out.
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Post by earlelaine on Mar 21, 2023 9:20:43 GMT -5
 Remember the Lithium batteries can be install on their side or upside down to fit in a battery box. But you may need to buy that cargo box they have Harbor Freight for $130 to install your batteries and tools in. |
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Post by klpp7250288 on Mar 27, 2023 7:44:18 GMT -5
Does anybody have experience with a Lithium Battery? I'm considering changing my Group 24 Deep Cycle for a Lithium. We do a fair amount of boondocking and I'd like to have a little more peace of mind (especially when the solar's not getting a charge). I know the Go Power Solar Charge Controller has an option for Lithium battery, so I think that should be fine. But wondering if I would need to change out the converter box. Appreciate any and all help/ thoughts on this. |
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Post by klpp7250288 on Mar 27, 2023 7:50:04 GMT -5
Depending on the year of your Sonic your inverter may be already set for a lithium battery.My 2022 lite 169 with the solar pack is.I use a Lifepro 100amph. It fits in a camco group 31 battery box perfectly.
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Post by earlelaine on Mar 27, 2023 9:16:14 GMT -5
klpp7250288, Good too know, I have 2022 169vrk. Have the 2 Interstate acid batteries right now. Don't remember what group batteries they are. We never boondocks, but you never know when you might need them. We were camping in a RV park in San Demis CA and there was an earthquake. The next day the city announce they would be shutting down the electrical grid in a large area so grocery stores had to get generators and so on. Luckily we had our generator with us and the grid was scheduled to be down for 12 hours 6PM to 6AM Burt was only down for about 8 hours. Another time on I-10 in California was shut down for 5 hours both directions due to an over turned gas tanker truck. My friend friend said it was a good thing he had some water in his fresh water tank. Batteries and propane kept the fridge cold.
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marc
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 15
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Post by marc on Jan 2, 2024 0:15:13 GMT -5
Marc - i’m working on the same issue and have the same setup. what I’m running into is that the LiFePo4 batteries tend to be wider and so won’t fit in my standard battery box! 200 Ah size is too long - I have a double size battery box to hold 2 regular lead-acid batteries. I found one brand - Enjoybot - that has a 100Ah with a low temp cutoff (needed here in Colorado) that will fit the width. Mounting the battery inside is problematic due to the enclosed underbelly and having to run extra wires. Mine is not a good long term boondocking solution, but it will let me spend some unconnected nights (Harvest Host, Cabelas, Walmart, etc) while traveling from A to B. Let us know how you work it out. How has this held up? My battery starting losing charge this past weekend, considering just making the jump to Li. I only boondock for a few days at a time, probably 4 or 5 nights max. |
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marc
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 15
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Post by marc on Jan 2, 2024 0:19:24 GMT -5
Depending on the year of your Sonic your inverter may be already set for a lithium battery.My 2022 lite 169 with the solar pack is.I use a Lifepro 100amph. It fits in a camco group 31 battery box perfectly. How was your setup held up? Do you ever boondock? |
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marc
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 15
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Post by marc on Jan 10, 2024 16:25:37 GMT -5
I bit the bullet. I got the 100ah LiTime Trolling Motor battery. This battery is about $260 at the time of this post, so not as crazy as other LiFePo. We got the trolling motor version since it has Low Temp Protection. We have yet to camp in below freezing weather, but wanted the option. Now I need to run a line for a battery monitor in the trailer. Taking it for a spin this weekend, although we will have hookups. Will report how this holds up over time. Attachments:
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