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02-17-2021, 09:46 AM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
2021 23' Globetrotter
Brownsville
, Vermont
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 8
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Lead acid to lithium
I have a 2020 Globetrotter with two lead acid batteries installed. I have purchased two Battle Bold 100 ah lithium batteries to replace the lead acid. Is there anything I need to do regarding the existing electrical when I drop them in? Would an aftermarket battery monitor make sense to be able to see the level of charge?
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02-17-2021, 09:50 AM
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#2
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2 Rivet Member
Newport Beach
, California
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 54
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Make sure your converter can handle lithium. You will have to let your converter know it is now handling lithium by changing the setting.
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02-17-2021, 09:54 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2022 25' Flying Cloud
NCR
, Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,077
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Victron energy has the best products for lion, solar etc.
even AS HQ is now using their products on new AS trailers being delivered
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02-18-2021, 10:52 AM
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#4
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1 Rivet Member
2021 23' Globetrotter
Brownsville
, Vermont
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 8
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Thank you. I will look into the right converter for the job.
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02-18-2021, 11:15 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2012 Avenue Coach
Corpus Christi
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,719
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You need all lithium compatible components. Inverter/Charger, DC to DC charger between your engine battery/alternator, Battery Monitor, and solar controller.
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02-18-2021, 04:16 PM
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#6
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1 Rivet Member
2021 23' Globetrotter
Brownsville
, Vermont
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 8
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Thank you. No one has told me that. I appreciate the advice.
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02-18-2021, 04:41 PM
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#7
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Mitch
2020 30' Classic
Granite Bay
, California
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 53
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Did you get the Battle Borns with the Heated Kit? LifePO4 do not like low temperatures (i.e. heated kit for many of the outside installations/applications).
__________________
Mitch
2020 Classic 30RQB
2013 2500HD Dmax: 6in lift; GEN-Y Traveler (torsion flex) hitch; Load Range F (3-Ply sides); 1-ton leafs; Hellwig sway bar; Firestone Ride-Rt RED; Bilstein 5160s
Registered Professional Engineer, CA
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02-18-2021, 05:09 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2012 Avenue Coach
Corpus Christi
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,719
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rklene
Thank you. No one has told me that. I appreciate the advice.
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They will tell you they are drop-in replacements and will even suggest charge settings for certain lead-acid chargers they claim will work. Technically they will, but when pressed, they recommend lithium specific charging components and profiles.
The bottom-line is, if you want your expensive batteries to last their longest and work their best, they need lithium-specific charging. Plus, the DC to DC charger (between your engine battery/alternator and Battleborns) will save your alternator from possible destruction. This is due to the fact that your lithiums may pull much higher charging rates than your alternator was designed to provide.
I don't mention this to discourage you. I was in your shoes 2 years ago and my head hurt due to a steep learning curve. But with help on this and another forum, I was able to do the install myself with no sparks or flames.
PS. - I live in deep South Texas, travel in mild weather, and installed the Renogy batteries inside my class b. So, until this week, I never had to worry about low temperatures. In Vermont, you'll want some way to keep the batteries above zero and ideally about 32 degrees if you want to charge or use them.
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02-18-2021, 06:46 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2007 16' International CCD
Vintage Kin Owner
Somewhere
, Colorado
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,536
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All good and very important advice above.
Like Vermont, Colorado has a long and cold winters. To protect our lithium from deep cold we simply remove it from the trailer and store it in the house off season. They have very low self discharge rates and should not require any charging maintenance.
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02-18-2021, 08:18 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2012 Avenue Coach
Corpus Christi
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,719
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Quote:
Originally Posted by field & stream
All good and very important advice above.
Like Vermont, Colorado has a long and cold winters. To protect our lithium from deep cold we simply remove it from the trailer and store it in the house off season. They have very low self discharge rates and should not require any charging maintenance.
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I purchased 1/0 cables with Anderson connectors. Not to remove the batteries for cold weather, but because the Renogy battery bolts are crap. But it would make for an easy, tool-less disconnect. Purchased them from these guys
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Anderson-SB...72.m2749.l2649
Good prices, wide variety, custom by-the-foot lengths, and high quality.
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02-19-2021, 12:00 PM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
2021 27' Globetrotter
Malibu
, California
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 400
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I just ordered all the parts. Here is the full manual that Airstream shared with dealerships. Basically the heated GC2 battery is only available to dealerships (which is a joke) and it is the only one that fits into the newer battery boxes. However the one you buy directly from BB just requires you to shave the handles off the batteries (BB technician told me that) and they will fit right into the box. I bought two in a bundle for $2,098 including tax and shipping. Around $1k cheaper than buying them through Airstream.
You then need a new converter ($163 on CampID) and I bought the Victron 712 monitor (Amazon Prime) to replace the one that’s below the TV right now.
See all Information attached.
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02-19-2021, 12:14 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2015 20' Flying Cloud
Kingsport
, Tennessee
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,274
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SO I have a question.....
My AS has no solar. I'm not yet at the point of going lithium, but I can see doing so in a few years. But, I'd like to start w/ a suitcase solar setup for now, add rooftop solar later, then go lithium.
What I don't want to do is buy a suitcase setup that isn't compatible w/ the end result once I do have rooftop solar and lithium. If my AS was a year newer, I know there'd be a Zamp box on the roof and a port beside the battery box for a portable, but as mine currently is, I don't have that port (mine is prewired for solar, but predating the Zamp box, I'm not sure what the rooftop connections will look like).
And, if need be, I'd be okay w/ buying a new converter first, as long as it could still handle my current batteries for now (ie, have the controller bought and in-place before I get to the lithium install down the road....).
Thoughts on what suitcase solar might be a better choice for being useful upfront but still usable down the road?
__________________
-Leslie
WBCCI #1051
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02-19-2021, 12:52 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2018 25' Flying Cloud
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,316
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LNBright
SO I have a question.....
My AS has no solar. I'm not yet at the point of going lithium, but I can see doing so in a few years. But, I'd like to start w/ a suitcase solar setup for now, add rooftop solar later, then go lithium.
What I don't want to do is buy a suitcase setup that isn't compatible w/ the end result once I do have rooftop solar and lithium. If my AS was a year newer, I know there'd be a Zamp box on the roof and a port beside the battery box for a portable, but as mine currently is, I don't have that port (mine is prewired for solar, but predating the Zamp box, I'm not sure what the rooftop connections will look like).
And, if need be, I'd be okay w/ buying a new converter first, as long as it could still handle my current batteries for now (ie, have the controller bought and in-place before I get to the lithium install down the road....).
Thoughts on what suitcase solar might be a better choice for being useful upfront but still usable down the road?
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Many suitcase units aren’t optimized for Lithium. I happen to know this new one from Renogy is. Just look carefully at the specs to confirm before you buy.
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02-19-2021, 01:13 PM
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#14
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Site Team
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,654
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rklene
I have a 2020 Globetrotter with two lead acid batteries installed. I have purchased two Battle Bold 100 ah lithium batteries to replace the lead acid. Is there anything I need to do regarding the existing electrical when I drop them in? Would an aftermarket battery monitor make sense to be able to see the level of charge?
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I recently watched this video ( https://www.airstream.com/ask-an-air...power-systems/) and found it to be educational. You may as well.
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02-19-2021, 01:24 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2012 Avenue Coach
Corpus Christi
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,719
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LNBright
SO I have a question.....
My AS has no solar. I'm not yet at the point of going lithium, but I can see doing so in a few years. But, I'd like to start w/ a suitcase solar setup for now, add rooftop solar later, then go lithium.
What I don't want to do is buy a suitcase setup that isn't compatible w/ the end result once I do have rooftop solar and lithium. If my AS was a year newer, I know there'd be a Zamp box on the roof and a port beside the battery box for a portable, but as mine currently is, I don't have that port (mine is prewired for solar, but predating the Zamp box, I'm not sure what the rooftop connections will look like).
And, if need be, I'd be okay w/ buying a new converter first, as long as it could still handle my current batteries for now (ie, have the controller bought and in-place before I get to the lithium install down the road....).
Thoughts on what suitcase solar might be a better choice for being useful upfront but still usable down the road?
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Lithium lasts longer and charges quicker than lead-acid. You may find solar to be of little value unless you have much more than a suitcase unit. I'd suggest you wait to see if you need solar at all, or go with a massive 400W+ array on your roof.
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02-19-2021, 01:53 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2015 20' Flying Cloud
Kingsport
, Tennessee
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,274
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rowiebowie
Lithium lasts longer and charges quicker than lead-acid. You may find solar to be of little value unless you have much more than a suitcase unit. I'd suggest you wait to see if you need solar at all, or go with a massive 400W+ array on your roof.
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I think mine, given size (a 20FC), might be capped at closer to 300w. I'm not picturing us running the AC, I just want to keep the batteries topped off over a couple of days as we run the lights, etc.
__________________
-Leslie
WBCCI #1051
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02-19-2021, 01:54 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2015 20' Flying Cloud
Kingsport
, Tennessee
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,274
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daleyocum
Many suitcase units aren’t optimized for Lithium. I happen to know this new one from Renogy is. Just look carefully at the specs to confirm before you buy.
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That link just took me to a controller.... but poking through their site, there are several different suitcase setups...
__________________
-Leslie
WBCCI #1051
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02-19-2021, 03:37 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Schaumburg
, Illinois
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 629
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portable solar (Zamp) off Amazon
I got a 140w portable system (Zamp), complete with controller and about 15' of cable that can connect directly to the battery terminals. In my case it is a supplement to the 3 fixed mount rooftop panels I have, the portable allows me the highest probability to get something in direct sunlight, and optimize the absorption by manipulating the panel angle. I got mine off Amazon, that makes it a very simple process. It works with all popular battery types (wet cell, AGM, Lithium).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's a great way to start the investagion of the value proposition for you, the panels are just a little bulky and heavy but they fold up against each other, and come in a protective case to encapsulate them, I store them in my 1 larger vertical closet when not in use. Mine cost me a little over $600, it looks like the Renogy system mentioned in the prior post is more cost effective for the size. You could get 2 of the Renogy, and have more watts, at less cost than I paid ...
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02-19-2021, 04:36 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2022 25' Flying Cloud
NCR
, Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,077
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This is our schematic for solar and lion
we can also monitor it from web or phone
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02-19-2021, 04:48 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2015 20' Flying Cloud
Kingsport
, Tennessee
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,274
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1StreamDream
it looks like the Renogy system mentioned in the prior post is more cost effective for the size. You could get 2 of the Renogy, and have more watts, at less cost than I paid ...
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I’ll confess, looking at what comes up on Amazon, there’s some there by Dokio (from China) that is close to the ‘try it and if it doesn’t work out, no great loss’ point....
__________________
-Leslie
WBCCI #1051
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