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03-17-2021, 06:03 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
2018 22' Sport
Mt. Tremper
, New York
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 43
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Adding Batteries to my ‘18 22’ Sport FB
I want to add either an additional AGM battery or replace the existing AGM with two lithium’s this year depending on how flush I feel. Has anyone done this on this unit and, if so, where did you put them? I also think I’ll put two more 90W collectors on the roof which I assume is a simple add on and plug in.
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03-17-2021, 10:41 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
2022 25' Flying Cloud
NCR
, Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,530
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best to go LION
check all the post about Lion batteries
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03-26-2021, 07:49 AM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member 
2016 22' Sport
WALNUT CREEK
, California
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 118
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I put my two Battleborn batteries stacked in front of the water heater, under the bed. See Post #23 in this thread for some pics and description of my approach:
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f29...-207613-2.html
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03-26-2021, 03:13 PM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member 
2019 22' Sport
Carlsbad
, California
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 408
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2019 22’ Sport, lithium under the bed. I didn’t locate it on the water heater side in anticipation of an inverter install and second battery at some point in the future. All 4 storage containers still fit under the bed. Definitely go lithium, way better in performance and longevity, worth the up front expense.
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03-28-2021, 09:40 AM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member 
2018 22' Sport
Mt. Tremper
, New York
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 43
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I like the single battery with expansion capability approach and maintaining the weight of the battery towards the center of the trailer - even though it will probably be 1/2 the weight of my present battery. Did you develop a schematic and a list of components for your project and if so, would you share?
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03-28-2021, 04:53 PM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member 
2019 22' Sport
Carlsbad
, California
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 408
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HankStarr
I like the single battery with expansion capability approach and maintaining the weight of the battery towards the center of the trailer - even though it will probably be 1/2 the weight of my present battery. Did you develop a schematic and a list of components for your project and if so, would you share?
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Hank,
Super simple. A breaker switch, and a distribution system. I chose a bus bar for that, but in hindsight would have chosen a fuse box style. That would have made it much easier to connect everything (like the bus bar) and not have to add additional in line fuses. I have everything running through the bus bar, so that the breaker switch truly disconnects the battery.
The hardest part, which I did have the dealer do, was the relocation of the battery cable from the tongue to the under-bed location. I wanted to make sure I didn’t do that wrong.
Lastly, I added a two-post, weather-proof power distribution point on the underside of the trailer. This is where the portable solar port connects to, and allows for additional power access for external needs. I added LED lights in 4 locations under the chassis to help with nighttime backing up and sewer dumping, and could add additional items like a power tongue Jack easily. Consider this external power point if you move the battery inside.
Happy to chat if you want to know more. Send me a direct message if so. Thanks
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03-29-2021, 01:15 PM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member 
2019 22' Sport
Margaritaville
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 52
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My lithium upgrade on 2019 Bambi 22
I also decided to go with lithium. I was no longer able to charge the 2-year-old 80-ah AGM to 100%, and I wanted more capacity. Was also influenced by my experience with replacing boat batteries every 1-2 years. Total cost of ownership, longevity, and usable capacity were main decision points.
This forum has many, many threads on lithium upgrades and installation, for which I am grateful and used for guidance.
Went with 2 Battle Born 100-ah batteries under the bed; enclosed in a cabinet with a removable clear polycarb panel through which I can inspect the battery bank easily.
Of course, it was not as simple as simply changing out the battery.
- Added a Victron battery monitor (provides more data than simple voltage, and more accurate calculation of state of charge, capacity and current load). This was installed in the same spot as the OEM SunExplorer II, using the Cat5 network cable already in place and replacing the RJ45 connector on each end with RJ12 connectors
- Victron MPPT solar charger controller (needed for lithium charging algorithm; replaced the Atkinson OEM controller).
- Replaced the charger/converter in the distribution center, as the OEM converter in the WFC-8955 not optimum for lithium (Progressive Dynamicis PD4655LIV)
- Isolated the solar array and charge controller from the rest of the system with a disconnect switch and resettable breaker.
- Installed a Victron battery combiner to prevent the lithium battery from discharging to the tow vehicle battery when trailer is hooked up and TV engine not running.
- Left the original battery cable outside; repurposed by splicing it to the external solar charge port, which was originally wired direct to the battery on the A-frame. This wire now goes inside to the Victron MPPT via a bus bar)
And, yes, adding two solar panels should be easy with the 3-port Zamp combiner box already on the roof. I was going to do the same, but now I am leaning towards getting a portable suitcase panel first, then adding fixed panels on the roof if I need more capacity after more boondocking experience.
One thing I was concerned about with adding solar panels on the roof was the wire gauge from the combiner box to the charge controller. It's shown as 10 ga in the manual for my trailer. Some folks replace that wire with 6 ga. But, upon inspection, they are actually 8 ga. So I should not have to re-wire so long as I don't exceed the current limit for that wire gauge and distance. Should be fine for 2 more Zamp long/narrow panels for a total of 270 watts on the roof. Add a 180 portable panel for total of 450 watts and its just about at the maximum capacity of the Victron 100/30 charge controller)
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03-29-2021, 02:37 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master 
2019 22' Sport
Port Coquitlam
, British Columbia
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 1,422
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I put a single Lithium 250ah GoPower battery under the bed at the very front of the trailer interior and centered. I took the Lead Acid unit out and that space is vacant now. I gained about 10 lbs total with this swap but a ton of extra battery power.
I reserved the area on the side near the water heater for my inverter and other bits like my Victron shunt and future charge controller (on this years' update list)
__________________
--------------------
Peter.
"Live Long and Prosper \\//" - Spock
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