Lithium, 6V Huh?

[ruddyone]

Reading and searching for the last 45 min. and my eyes are getting a little blurry. Can someone give me some quick thoughts?


- Benefits of Lithium over 6V golf cart batteries?


- If Lithium, do you have to change the charger / converter / inverter? (the Battle Born website says its as simple as pulling out the AGM and putting in the Lithium?)


- Anyone know if the Battle Born Lithium can fit in the standard FC battery box? (specs look really close but I know some people have to add an extension to the box)



- Am I correct thinking that my current interstate batters give 2 x 80Ah = 160ish Ah? If so, Lithium would be 2 x 100Ah = 200 Ah and 6V would be 2 x 220Ah = 440Ah



I have a 2014 30' FC Bunk. 3 kids. We typically stay where there is electric but are looking at some longer trips this summer where we may boondock a bit. I need to replace batteries this month so started looking at options and thinking about solar.


The spectrum for our choices seem to be:
- replace current batteries with similar ones
- replace current batteries with 6V
- replace current batteries with Lithium + charger
- replace current batteries with Lithium + charger + inverter
- duplicate LOLOHO setup....



Thanks in advance. This section really needs an FAQ sticky as I'm sure these questions have been asked and answered. Happy to read any links people have!

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by ruddyone

Reading and searching for the last 45 min. and my eyes are getting a little blurry. Can someone give me some quick thoughts?


- Benefits of Lithium over 6V golf cart batteries?

Lithium works better under heavy loads, does not gas, and requires no maintenance.


- If Lithium, do you have to change the charger / converter / inverter? (the Battle Born website says its as simple as pulling out the AGM and putting in the Lithium?)

I think you would want a new charger with a dedicated Lithium setting, but the BMS may protect the Battleborn. You really need a new charger for 6V golf cart batteries too that actually charges at 14.4V.


- Anyone know if the Battle Born Lithium can fit in the standard FC battery box? (specs look really close but I know some people have to add an extension to the box)

Yes, but be careful I think there are two different size case options.



- Am I correct thinking that my current interstate batters give 2 x 80Ah = 160ish Ah? If so, Lithium would be 2 x 100Ah = 200 Ah and 6V would be 2 x 220Ah = 440Ah

Stock is 160AH with 80AH usable, a pair of 6V will only give you 220AH with 180AH usable, a pair of Lithium is 200AH usable.



I have a 2014 30' FC Bunk. 3 kids. We typically stay where there is electric but are looking at some longer trips this summer where we may boondock a bit. I need to replace batteries this month so started looking at options and thinking about solar.


The spectrum for our choices seem to be:
- replace current batteries with similar ones
- replace current batteries with 6V
- replace current batteries with Lithium + charger
- replace current batteries with Lithium + charger + inverter
- duplicate LOLOHO setup....

If money is no object, duplicate LOLOHO's setup with 600W of solar for $10,000+installation.
If money is an object, duplicate my 600W solar installation with 6V golf cart batteries for $1,500+installation.



Thanks in advance. This section really needs an FAQ sticky as I'm sure these questions have been asked and answered. Happy to read any links people have!

Welcome to AirForums. My answers are imbedded into your question in bold.

[Bill M.]

The 2 flooded cell batteries are rated 160 yes. But..you normally limit discharge to 50% to keep from damaging them. When you are recharging with a generator you can only get them back to 80 to 85%. So what you have to use in a boondocking situation is about 30 to 35 % of the 160;p rated capacity or about 55 amp hours.

With the lithium’s you can use 90 or 100% of the rating and they will recharge to 100% with reasonable runs on the generator. So the lithium’s provide about 3.5 to 4 times as much usable power as the flooded cell.

It is said that the lithium’s will last 10 years and maybe a good bit longer. We will not be camping that long but I am tempted to do it for the extra power. Two Battle Borns with the monitor are $2400 and the converter is another $200. My other choice is to just put in $200 worth of batteries every year and just trash then with a deep draw if I need to. As much as I like the idea of the lithium’s it just comes down to the fact that our use does not seem to justify them. Each time I spend a couple of weeks in a campsite Without power I think this through and decide I like camping with power except for special places.

I do not have, or want, an inverter. An inverter would mandate lithium’s, I think.


I have a golf cart. I do not really like golf cart batteries and I have bought them too often to think that they are magic.

[rowiebowie]

Welcome to the forum ruddyone!

You are correct in that your questions have been asked and answered elsewhere in this forum. But finding the threads answering your specific questions can be difficult. Additionally, only you can decide what is best for you and your pocketbook. And it's not as simple as dropping in lithium replacement batteries as some sellers imply. Your batteries won't perform to their best or last as long without upgrading all charging components to Lithium compatible products and adding a State of Charge (SOC) monitor which give you an accurate charge status for lithium batteries.

I'm no expert, but I did do my own conversion from 2xlead acid batteries and inverter/charger to a 200Ah Lithium batteries, 3000W lithium compatible inverter/charger, SOC, and DC to DC charger (between my engine battery and coach lithiums). This gave nearly 2.5x the usable battery amp hours and gives us the means to use the microwave without being plugged in or running the onboard generator in our class b.

Our set up is 1/2 the lithium capacity of the LongLongHoneymoon, but other than that and the fact we didn't do any solar upgrades, still gives us most of what they got. My cost was about $2700 using all Renogy products. I saved a signifcant amount over Battleborn & Victron components, but they are considered top-of-the-line and worth the extra cost of $1500 if you can swing it. Renogy products were simply the only ones in the size and shape that fit the confined space available inside by tiny class b.

We are pleased with our result. We can't really justify the expense on a practical basis, but then, we can't justify owning an RV on that basis either.

[ROBERT CROSS]

All of the above and...62lb v 29lb. 🤓

Bob
🇺🇸

[kscherzi]

Since you typically stay where there are electric hookups, lithium batteries and all it involves would be a waste of money in my opinion.

If two 6V wet cell golf cart batteries can fit into your battery box, that's the easiest and most practical way to go.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by ruddyone

Reading and searching for the last 45 min. and my eyes are getting a little blurry. Can someone give me some quick thoughts?


- Benefits of Lithium over 6V golf cart batteries?


- If Lithium, do you have to change the charger / converter / inverter? (the Battle Born website says its as simple as pulling out the AGM and putting in the Lithium?)


- Anyone know if the Battle Born Lithium can fit in the standard FC battery box? (specs look really close but I know some people have to add an extension to the box)



- Am I correct thinking that my current interstate batters give 2 x 80Ah = 160ish Ah? If so, Lithium would be 2 x 100Ah = 200 Ah and 6V would be 2 x 220Ah = 440Ah



I have a 2014 30' FC Bunk. 3 kids. We typically stay where there is electric but are looking at some longer trips this summer where we may boondock a bit. I need to replace batteries this month so started looking at options and thinking about solar.


The spectrum for our choices seem to be:
- replace current batteries with similar ones
- replace current batteries with 6V
- replace current batteries with Lithium + charger
- replace current batteries with Lithium + charger + inverter
- duplicate LOLOHO setup....



Thanks in advance. This section really needs an FAQ sticky as I'm sure these questions have been asked and answered. Happy to read any links people have!

T105 6v will require a charger/converter that will deliver correct charge profile...shop accordingly.

Bob
🇺🇸