Lithium batteries inside

[pjshier]

For charging 32F to 131F. Thinking mostly of the lower end: will the front compartment of our 27FBT - maybe with some modification - keep the batteries above 32 if the outside temp drops below overnight for several hours? Assuming the front compartment is closed, of course.

If not - will be planning an install of 2 100ah LiFePo units under one the curb-side twin in the interior-accessible storage locker.

[jayseejay]

Originally Posted by pjshier

For charging 32F to 131F. Thinking mostly of the lower end: will the front compartment of our 27FBT - maybe with some modification - keep the batteries above 32 if the outside temp drops below overnight for several hours? Assuming the front compartment is closed, of course.



If not - will be planning an install of 2 100ah LiFePo units under one the curb-side twin in the interior-accessible storage locker.

Hi, here’s our recent experience with exactly this issue.

Our 4 100 AH lithium batteries (BB, unheated) are located in the front compartment of our 27FBT.

Earlier this week we had a hard freeze with a low of 24 degrees overnight (it was 30 degrees at 8:00 pm at the start of the night, so I’d estimate we were below freezing for 12 hours or more).

We had the furnace running at 55 inside, along with a Dyson hot/cold fan to supplement, keeping the front bedroom at about 58.

That night, the temperature in the front compartment did not go below 42 degrees.

We have not added any special insulation or heaters for that compartment, as we currently have no plans to camp in conditions much colder than what I just described.

However, our charger/inverter is mounted in the front curbside exterior compartment, and vents partially into the front exterior compartment, and this may have helped the front compartment maintain heat.

I hope that data point helps as you consider your system.

Best,
Joe

[pjshier]

exactly the kind of real world info I needed. Thanks!

[mad_mechanic]

Hey pjshier -
Don’t have the temp check but I used Low temperature batteries from LiFeBlue.

See link below.

https://www.lifebluebattery.com/rv-b...mperature.html

Best regards

Thomas

[mad_mechanic]

Originally Posted by AKNate

My factory setup had a 1000 W inverter with a 4 AWG feeding it from the battery and the DC bus bar with a 6 AWG feeding it. If yours is similar and you’re replacing it with a single feed wire from the new battery that then splits out, I’d recommend using at least 2 AWG. I’m not sure if you’re saying you have a 6 and 8 in parallel, but even that I’d upsize. 1000 W at 12 V is 83 A, plus your DC loads. Maybe your factory inverter is smaller though.
I’d also recommend fuse protecting each wire to its ampacity if you haven’t.
Edit: I see you have breakers in there, but can’t make out their rating. You want them to trip at less than the wire rating.

Hey AKNate -
Quick update. I eventually beefed up my wire gauge. Thanks again. I had a brainfart in my calculations. ;-)

Updated pictures attached including peplink CAT18, Cerbo GX and weboost for remote monitoring/wifi.

[GettinAway]

I put two 100 a/hr BB lithium batteries in the front storage compartment of our 25GT FBT. We are getting on the road today. Expecting most nights to be below freezing during four weeks on the road. I’ll know soon enough if the batteries can maintain a usable charge. I promised my LW that I would set the thermostat higher than 50 at night, and we would have enough battery power to do it. Going for 55 now. 200 amp portable solar panels for when we stay in the same place long enough to use them. Honda 2000 if the portable panels can’t keep up.
I’m hoping the front compartment stays warm enough to allow the batteries to maintain a complete charge.

[stevejones]

Originally Posted by pmclemore

My two Lifepos are under our queen. (and under me too, of course).

Pat

Ours is in the "back" of the front compartment, which puts them right beneath us in our queen bed, one 300AH LifeBlue on each side. The advantage of where they are at, is the weight is balanced and the impact to storage is minimized. The disadvantage is that in order to replace them, you have to take the top off the bed for full access to the batteries. However this also makes them pretty much impossible to steal.

Steve

[biznitch15]

Originally Posted by mad_mechanic

Hey AKNate -
Quick update. I eventually beefed up my wire gauge. Thanks again. I had a brainfart in my calculations. ;-)

Updated pictures attached including peplink CAT18, Cerbo GX and weboost for remote monitoring/wifi.

Hey @Mad , bringing up an old topic. Can you elaborate on your system setup and components? AWG size also please. Thank you.