Best lithium battery upgrade in 2025

[Carini]

Looking at swapping out the two 100 ah lithium batteries that came in my 2024 Globetrotter 25fb for maybe 600-800 ah (along with 3,000 watt inverter, DC-DC charging, shunt, etc., probably Victoron though not wed to blue). Been watching this market/industry for a while (had 2021 Globetrotter previously but ended up trading before I got to solar/lithium upgrade), and the pace of change is dizzying.

What batteries are the best choice now? Should I consider Victron’s new NG line (especially if I buy into the Victron ecosystem)? Or is that overkill for a 12v system (looks like one major selling point is adaptability to 48v systems)? I can see the potential improvement with the BMS monitoring and controlling at the battery cell level. Or is Victron over-rated, at least when it comes to batteries?

[nelsonh]

FWIW... I am in the process of swapping out my 2x100ah BattleBorns for a single 300ah Epoch model as several others here in the forum have done or are planning to do. Bonus - this week (til March 18 2025) they have a 15% off discount code CHAMP15 posted on their website.


https://www.epochbatteries.com/colle...hium-batteries


.

[vanderwielen]

Originally Posted by Carini

Looking at swapping out the two 100 ah lithium batteries that came in my 2024 Globetrotter 25fb for maybe 600-800 ah (along with 3,000 watt inverter, DC-DC charging, shunt, etc., probably Victoron though not wed to blue). Been watching this market/industry for a while (had 2021 Globetrotter previously but ended up trading before I got to solar/lithium upgrade), and the pace of change is dizzying.

What batteries are the best choice now? Should I consider Victron’s new NG line (especially if I buy into the Victron ecosystem)? Or is that overkill for a 12v system (looks like one major selling point is adaptability to 48v systems)? I can see the potential improvement with the BMS monitoring and controlling at the battery cell level. Or is Victron over-rated, at least when it comes to batteries?

Which 25FB, queen or twin? Victron batteries offer little advantage over the more popular batteries. Battleborn is struggling to hold market share since many US manufacturers like Epoch have released very intelligent, low cost, high capacity batteries. (if you have a twin, i can show you a complete retrofit in detail via youtube)

[jeffmc306]

I’m with nelsonh on this one.

If you want Victron connectivity without the eye watering price, consider Epoch’s Elite Series 460Ah battery which has a Victron communication port. If that’s not as important, they also have their Essential Series which is more affordable and available in either 300Ah or 460Ah.

We did the Victron MultiPlus II and related component install two years ago along with one Battle Born GC3 270Ah battery. If I did it today I’d go the Epoch route. Otherwise, it’s tough to beat Victron’s synergy with it’s components and a single App to manage them all.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Is this a DIY adventure or are you going to let a pro do the work? If it's DIY, understand that there is a lot of "fun" involved getting cables to here and there. If you plan to go with a pro, best to get them involved before any parts are purchased.

Bob

[waninae39]

we use Discover Lithium Blue
Model 200AH 2560WH DLB
https://discoverbattery.com/products...s/lithium-blue

built in BMS and less expensive than BB for equivalent AH/$ cost

[kb0zke]

Welcome, Carini! The "best" battery today may not be the "best" tomorrow. When I checked last week, Redodo had the best deal on LiFePO4 batteries for my planned system. By next week that may change.


Check Will Prowse's videos to see what he thinks about the various batteries. For low-cost Chinese batteries he generally likes LiTime and Redodo. Epoch is a fairly new player, but they seem to have quite a bit going for them. Battle Born is well known, but they think very highly of their batteries. Not sure I can justify their cost.

[Taco Joe]

I've been very happy with Renogy. Prices are slightly better than Victon and Battleborn. They have a full line of items. I have DC to DC charging, Solar charger, 500 Ah of batteries (soon to be 800), 3000 watt inverter and 560 watts of solar on the roof of my 23FB.


I have an additional 100 watts and 100 Ah on my TV's shell running a cooler. Note the bigger the inverter the larger the draw when it's on.


I'm also using their products on 3 buildings on our property and a greenhouse.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Taco Joe

I've been very happy with Renogy. Prices are slightly better than Victon and Battleborn. They have a full line of items. I have DC to DC charging, Solar charger, 500 Ah of batteries (soon to be 800), 3000 watt inverter and 560 watts of solar on the roof of my 23FB.


I have an additional 100 watts and 100 Ah on my TV's shell running a cooler. Note the bigger the inverter the larger the draw when it's on.


I'm also using their products on 3 buildings on our property and a greenhouse.

Agree- Check out Renogy also...they have some new smaller 100AH 12V batteries, as well as 300-400AH single batteries. Have not looked at size specs to see if the 300AH will fit in the box up front. I have the LiTime 100AH I installed last year and I am happy with performance; just wish I had seen the Epoch or the Renogy 300AH models earlier. All these Mfg.'s are dropping in price/size lately it seems. Pays to shop around.

[JohnTF]

Almost any time you use the term " BEST " --- you looking for trouble !

There can be better / or worst choices --- depending on individual uses / needs .

Next [ without multiple questions / answers ] just adding more batteries to get more capacity would generally be the most efficient choice .

[Carini]

Many thanks to all of you. There's a wealth of knowledge in this community.

@vanderwielen, my rig is a 25 FBT, so I'd love a link to the upgrade video.

@uncle_bob, this won't be DIY, as much as I'd enjoy the challenge. In my youth (which was quite a while ago), I spent a couple of summers during college as a car stereo installer, back when cars generally came with crappy radios, and I've spent as much time pulling out vehicle panels and attaching wires with my feet higher than my head as I need to feel like an accomplished human.

The Globetrotter came with a bit of solar, but my thinking is that a DC-DC charger (and my trusty Honda 2000 suitcase generator to) to top up the batteries is a better investment than replacing those panels at this point. Based on that, @John_TF makes an intriguing suggestion: just add battery capacity. I'd need more inverter in any case, but aside from a cool panel display showing how all the power is flowing, what am I buying with the whole Victron thing? What if I just put my money into the biggest batteries (or battery) that can fit in the battery box, upgrade the inverter, and call it a day?

[Hans627]

I just happened to see this video regarding Epoch batteries. Just a FYI. Hopefully this is a temporary issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6ssW6nMY-A&t=193s

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Carini

Many thanks to all of you. There's a wealth of knowledge in this community.

@vanderwielen, my rig is a 25 FBT, so I'd love a link to the upgrade video.

@uncle_bob, this won't be DIY, as much as I'd enjoy the challenge. In my youth (which was quite a while ago), I spent a couple of summers during college as a car stereo installer, back when cars generally came with crappy radios, and I've spent as much time pulling out vehicle panels and attaching wires with my feet higher than my head as I need to feel like an accomplished human.

The Globetrotter came with a bit of solar, but my thinking is that a DC-DC charger (and my trusty Honda 2000 suitcase generator to) to top up the batteries is a better investment than replacing those panels at this point. Based on that, @John_TF makes an intriguing suggestion: just add battery capacity. I'd need more inverter in any case, but aside from a cool panel display showing how all the power is flowing, what am I buying with the whole Victron thing? What if I just put my money into the biggest batteries (or battery) that can fit in the battery box, upgrade the inverter, and call it a day?

Hi

OK, if this is not DIY, then figured out who will be doing the work. Anybody that is worth using *will* have experience and "a way it's done". If they don't they aren't a pro ( = find somebody else).

Get them involved before anything is bought. That will save you having a pile of "I'd never put that in" gear ....

Bob

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

OK, if this is not DIY, then figured out who will be doing the work. Anybody that is worth using *will* have experience and "a way it's done". If they don't they aren't a pro ( = find somebody else).

Get them involved before anything is bought. That will save you having a pile of "I'd never put that in" gear ....

Bob

Along with this, if your "pro" is an Airstream dealer some of them don't install stuff they didn't sell. Many auto mechanics have that same policy, partly because if something doesn't work to start with it's a massive pain for them to deal with something defective you bought from somebody else.

Of course it is a good idea to get a basic understanding of what is needed and you need to understand your "use case" to find out some of that info.

[kb0zke]

I had Dylan Morrison, Superstition Solar in Tempe, AZ, do most of the work on our previous SOB, and he will do a bit more for me this time around. I'll have a couple of components mounted when he gets the trailer, but whatever wiring is done will probably be temporary.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by kb0zke

I had Dylan Morrison, Superstition Solar in Tempe, AZ, do most of the work on our previous SOB, and he will do a bit more for me this time around. I'll have a couple of components mounted when he gets the trailer, but whatever wiring is done will probably be temporary.

Hi

Some of these folks have had *bad* experiences with this or that item. They don't spend their life publicly talking about it. However they very much avoid using that item in the future.

Check with "your guy" about anything you plan to buy ahead of time. His advice is free


Bob

[Taco Joe]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Agree- Check out Renogy also...they have some new smaller 100AH 12V batteries, as well as 300-400AH single batteries. Have not looked at size specs to see if the 300AH will fit in the box up front. I have the LiTime 100AH I installed last year and I am happy with performance; just wish I had seen the Epoch or the Renogy 300AH models earlier. All these Mfg.'s are dropping in price/size lately it seems. Pays to shop around.

I have one of the new smaller renogy batteries. I like them, but it doesn't have the bluetooth monitoring that I enjoy on other models. My estimate is that solar panel and battery prices drop approximately 15 % per year and battery weight and size maybe 10%. I don't have any batteries in the exterior box since a theft attempt. They go under the bed, which also helps a bit in cold climates if your batteries aren't self heated.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

Along with this, if your "pro" is an Airstream dealer some of them don't install stuff they didn't sell. Many auto mechanics have that same policy, partly because if something doesn't work to start with it's a massive pain for them to deal with something defective you bought from somebody else.

Of course it is a good idea to get a basic understanding of what is needed and you need to understand your "use case" to find out some of that info.

Hi

If you go the AS dealer route, I'd be very careful about picking *which* AS dealer you decide to use as a "pro" in this case. Some of them are ...errrrr .... service challenged

Bob

[daleyocum]

For what it’s worth, two. attleboro GC3 270ah batteries will fit along with the Multiplus in the curb side compartment of your trailer. Five 100ah will also fit in the storage compartments under that twin bed if you’d rather. I switched to the GC3 which reduces all the wire involved.

[Saullman]

If you have nothing better to do with your money, then buy victron batteries, overpriced and you're paying for the name. I placed 840 ah lifepo4's in the front compartment of my classic 33. Not sure of the space limitations on your rig, but I would fit as many batteries as one could.