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Old 07-26-2017, 03:38 PM   #1
Boston Sophia
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Lithium batteries

We are considering getting a lithium battery for our 2014 Premier Bullet travel trailer. Does anyone have any feedback on if they are better then regular batteries? We just purchased the trailer, we previously traveled in a motorcoach, so we are new to the battery thing. Our trailer has one battery and we would like to purchase two new and keep the original as a backup. Someone mentioned lithium batteries to us today and we are wondering if this is a better way to go and why....thanks for any feedback
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Old 07-26-2017, 04:16 PM   #2
sourdough
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I've never seen, or talked to, anyone that had a lithium battery in an RV. They might have some advantages, but, I just looked one up and at $900 each I'll stick with my Interstates. I'm sure someone will chime in and maybe someone has experience with them.

Edit: I forgot to say Welcome to the forum!
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Old 07-26-2017, 04:19 PM   #3
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I believe you will need a different converter/charger than the one that comes with the trailer. Lithium batteries have different charge characteristics than a lead acid battery. If memory fails me correctly, there was a discussion on this topic in the forum a few days ago, although I am unable to locate it with a search. Here's a link on lead acid batteries. I also think you'd need a different charger if you decided to use AGM batteries. Others with better knowledge will respond.
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Old 07-26-2017, 04:34 PM   #4
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Here's a link to the one I was looking at. The home page has other specs.

https://battlebornbatteries.com/shop...ttery/#reviews
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Old 07-26-2017, 04:44 PM   #5
Boston Sophia
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Originally Posted by sourdough View Post
I've never seen, or talked to, anyone that had a lithium battery in an RV. They might have some advantages, but, I just looked one up and at $900 each I'll stick with my Interstates. I'm sure someone will chime in and maybe someone has experience with them.

Edit: I forgot to say Welcome to the forum!
thanks for the input and the welcome
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Old 07-26-2017, 04:53 PM   #6
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With the potential problems of overcharging and overheating, I'm not sure I'd want a $900 battery in my trailer that "could become" a fire hazard when I'm dry camping, some place well "off the grid" where there's limited fire/rescue coverage... Heck, most places we camp there's not even cell phone coverage, so dialing 911 isn't something I'd want to rely on to put out a battery fire.
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Old 07-26-2017, 05:51 PM   #7
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I gave some instruction in an acquaintances experimental aircraft with a lithium battery. The charging system worked well with the battery. It was very lightweight and had good cranking amps for the size.

The main reason for using one is to reduce weight. They run around $350+ and would not be practical in an RV. I think the best bang for the buck in an RV used for boondocking is two, 6V golf cart batteries.

These lithiums are more resistant to catching fire than the ones we normally hear about. Not all lithiums are the same.

http://earthxbatteries.com/product-c...rs-automobiles
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Old 07-26-2017, 06:05 PM   #8
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Welcome to the forum from Kansas City, MO! Enjoy your new rig! Can't help with batteries but you've gotten good advice here already.

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Old 07-26-2017, 06:43 PM   #9
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Lithium ion battery's are standard equipment on Pleasure way RV's made in Canada. Everything associated with the charging circuit is standard RV stuff, so I don't think any special equipment is needed. I do know there is a low temp threshold (32 degrees I think) that you can ruin them if you try to charge them.

160W solar panel is common with its own disconnect to prevent charging in cold weather. All that being said, I won't spend the money to install them on my trailer.
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Old 07-27-2017, 02:58 AM   #10
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You can get plug-n-play lithium batteries to replace any lead/gel/agm system. These include the built-in intelligence to monitor charge and discharge cycles, so you don't need a new/sophisticated charger.

https://www.lithiumion-batteries.com...deep-cycle.php
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Old 07-27-2017, 05:43 AM   #11
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I'm curious. Does anyone on this forum have or plan to have these batteries in their RV?
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Old 07-27-2017, 06:39 AM   #12
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I checked out the prices at the link provided a couple of posts back. GP 27 lithium batteries are $1049 each, so a pair (what's apparently supposed to be similar to two GP 27 lead acid batteries) would be $2098. At over $2000, I don't know what "distinct advantage" those batteries would have (weight is 28lbs each) since they replace batteries slightly larger and heavier. Their "advantage" seems to be cold weather performance, but who uses their RV in sub zero temps? As for longevity, they do have a distinct advantage, but considering that you could buy 10 pairs of lead acid batteries for the same cost as one set of lithium, it looks like the longevity is "overcome" by price, at least for me.

There may be some advantage for a few select RV'ers, but for the vast majority, that kind of investment for seasonal (or really even for full time) RV use, it doesn't look like it would make economic sense. At least that's the way I see it. Others may view things from a different perspective, but for me, I'll stick with a pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries. They're 4 years old and still working just like when they were new. Total cost, less than $300.
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Old 07-27-2017, 06:57 AM   #13
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Agreed. I don't see any advantage to justify the price.
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Old 07-27-2017, 07:41 AM   #14
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There is lots of advantage for lithium over more conventional RV deep-cycle batteries. More power storage (AH) in a smaller footprint with less weight. Take group 24 battery size for example, you can get roughly 50% more power storage (AH) with 50% less weight using a lithium battery over conventional lead-acid in the exact same footprint. Of course the downside is that the lithium is 4~5 times more expensive than a quality deep cycle battery. So you're paying 4-5 times more money for only half better performance. Does not compute...
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Old 07-27-2017, 08:46 AM   #15
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thanks for responding, we are really leaning away from the lithium batteries. Again thanks for the imput.
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Old 07-27-2017, 08:49 AM   #16
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thanks for the welcome. We are looking forward to hitting the road.
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Old 07-27-2017, 09:19 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
I checked out the prices at the link provided a couple of posts back. GP 27 lithium batteries are $1049 each, so a pair (what's apparently supposed to be similar to two GP 27 lead acid batteries) would be $2098. At over $2000, I don't know what "distinct advantage" those batteries would have (weight is 28lbs each) since they replace batteries slightly larger and heavier. Their "advantage" seems to be cold weather performance, but who uses their RV in sub zero temps? As for longevity, they do have a distinct advantage, but considering that you could buy 10 pairs of lead acid batteries for the same cost as one set of lithium, it looks like the longevity is "overcome" by price, at least for me.

There may be some advantage for a few select RV'ers, but for the vast majority, that kind of investment for seasonal (or really even for full time) RV use, it doesn't look like it would make economic sense. At least that's the way I see it. Others may view things from a different perspective, but for me, I'll stick with a pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries. They're 4 years old and still working just like when they were new. Total cost, less than $300.
+1

I just upgraded to 2XGC2 230AH batteries and it was just under $200 + tax.

-Brian
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Old 07-27-2017, 06:06 PM   #18
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Can you imagine the upset and language if your lithium battery shot craps?

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Old 07-27-2017, 06:13 PM   #19
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Can you imagine the upset and language if your lithium battery shot craps?
At $2100 I'm positive my "vocabulary" wouldn't be acceptable for this forum !!!
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Old 07-27-2017, 06:24 PM   #20
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Can't say I've seen a lithium battery in a pleasure way go bad yet..been working on them for 5 years now.
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