Lenore and are Boondocking at the 18 day Kerrville Folk Festival,
https://www.kerrvillefolkfestival.org/
Which for us is actually about a month onsite.
Our 500ah LiFePo4 bank is made up of 5 (size 27 case) 100ah batteries
weighing 31# each, total weight of 155 Because there is no gassing or
corrosion with LiFePo4 cells, they can be installed inside the living
quarters, adjacent to electric instruments and equipment with harm. Thus,
the batteries live can share living space with us humans in above freezing
conditions, so the charging is not an issue. Also all of the 100ah LiFePo4
batteries that I’ve seen have built-in circuits that do not allow charging
in freezing conditions.
Also, the electrical effectiveness of LiFePo4 vs. Led Acid or Gel, allows
much more weight savings. Throughout the entire useful discharge (say down
to 10% remaining or less, the voltage remains at 13.15v or better, compared
to wet-cell/Gel which drop to +/-12.0v at 50%.
We are going into our second year of total solar (zero shore power). We
often end up sharing some of our excess power with other campers.
Basically, we very pleased with what we have.
On Mon, May 27, 2019 at 1:58 AM Daniel Jacobs via Gmclist <
> Two kinds of lithium batteries for MH use are to be considered: LiFePO4
> and LFeYPO4
> The first, more common, not capable of being (re)charged below freezing
> point (our 0 degrees Celsius)
> The Ytrium makes the batteries better chargeable bellow the freezing
> point, but still there is a limit ...
>
> I did put 2 lithium batteries in my European MH (Hymer) and chose the
> LiFePO4, because they are stored inside, in the same compartment as my ALDE
> Heating is located. And even if the heating wasn't running, a wireless
> thermometer gave me info on the temperature inside, and it stayed above
> freezing temperatures.
> Since Lithium batteries are capable of keeping their energy very good,
> disconnecting is no problem for many months.
> And stored that way, they don't need recharging, and temps below freezing
> don't harm them ... ok there is a limit, but here in the Netherlands we
> don't see those extremes that much.
>
> Another thing to consider, with BMS and electronics, all good LIFePO4 and
> LiFePO4 are well protected for those temperature conditions, overcharging
> etc.
> My two batteries, simply don't accept any charging anymore around freezing
> temps.
>
> Choosing your batteries, is different for every situation.
> What is the space that's available, connections, cable routing, but also
> your budget.
> As for every charging system, cabling should be 100%, connections and
> fuses also.
>
> Let's not right away look at the costs, then they can be discharged very
> much, 10% left is no problem. Some manufacturers even say you can go 100%
> discharging.
> Often the capacity the manufacturer claims is less, they give you a number
> they can guarantee, mostly it is even more (mine are at least 10Ah more, as
> for my tests and Victron Batterie Monitor)
> Voltage keeps up very good, mostly >13 volt, even using an inverter and
> using 100A or more.
> Combining 2 or more batteries is much less problematic compared to lead
> accidents batteries.
> Weight is really low, so less weight for the coach.
> You can go for easy install, batteries in which all important electronics
> is integrated, or if you are knowledgeable, build them with separate cells,
> BMS, fuses etc, yourself (the Internet is your friend)
>
> I choose for a German Build (of course there will be Chines parts in there
> too) that had the exact same dimensions as for my old AGM batteries, Hymer
> did install (a very common type installed in all of their MH) and that
> were 2 AGM 80 Ah batteries, they were after 5 years going slowly bad.
>
> I could swap them 1 on 1 ... so reconnecting was very easy, even
> connection on same spot etc.
> As for the specific charging I added a Victron 15A Charger, capable of
> charging LiOn batteries the right way, and combined it simply with the
> existing
> charger, which had to be only switched to lead accid, so they charge both
> the batteries, till almost the end phase, there the original charger thinks
> his job is done and goes into float. the Victron completes the charging
> the right way.
> Another advantage, charging goes till the 100% limit, constantly and very
> powerful. I see 35A floating till 14.4 volt and then it goes into float.
>
> One thing to consider, charging through your alternator goes much quicker
> too, so cables should be big. Fuse both sides. And if you want to do it even
> a little better, or if you need to limit the max amount of Amps, use a
> Batteriy Booster (the name confuses a bit, they can boost, but also limit
> you
> charge Amps)
>
> There is a lot info out there and I certainly can't cover all ins and
> outs. Nor my installation is the non plus ultra, but I am very satisfied.
> In summer and winter I can use lights, heating (pump and electronics) my
> compressor fridge, TV and satellite disk, and if needed, over inverter a
> Micro Wave or Marjon her hair blower. For days. And yes .... NO AC ...
> but if you want that you have to go the WINNABAGO way, they have no 200Ah
> batts, no they have 1200Ah batts and more installed in their test
> vehicles, combined with a second alternator exclusive for charging the
> batteries and
> even giving enough energy to run the house AC during the ride.
>
> In my US GMC still a normal 225 Ah battery does his job, and I won't
> change that, for now.
>
> I hope this is making a choice easier.
> And of course don't forget the costs, my install did cost me 2000€ two
> years ago, including all cables, crimping, fuse holders etc.
> A very good Mastervolt AGM batterie of 400 Ah capacity at 4x the weight
> should cost you also 1600€ ...
> Because they only can be discharged at a max of 50% you only can compare
> the 200 Ah lithium batteries with a 400Ah Lead Accid batteriies.
> And to be honest compare a good quality manufacturer with the Lithium
> batteries also, since they are also of high quality.
> Don't go for cheap. Go for US distributor or Dutch/German as I did.
>
> Doing it yourself with the very good Winston LiFeYPO4 cells, BMS etc is
> also a possibly if you are technically inclined ... you save some money, but
> not 50%, perhaps max 20%.
> Installing the batteries yourself helps also in saving some money. But
> don't do this if you aren't fully confident and knowledgeable in what you
> are
> doing.
> Shorting out a Lithium batterie can be even more "Interesting" then a Lead
> accidentally ...
>
> Bye, Daniel
> --
> Daniel Jacobs, NL-USA 1977 GMC Eleganza II, Rebuild 455 (2019) 3.55 FD.
> FiTech and (Modified) FCC, Selector Valve and Electric Pump, insulated
> GasTanks, 100A Alternator, APC, McDash, Schräder Valves + extern Fills,
> Ceramic Film, TPMS, FlexSteel Seats
>
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--
Vern Crawford (and Lenore Langsdorf)
155 JJ Lane
Center Point, TX 78010
(618) 203-8296 Vern's cell
(830) 928-5550 Lenore's cell
VernCrawford
LenoreLangsdorf
