lexcentric
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'56 Dalton Frame-up rebuild - New axle. waiting for better weather to put new walls up
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Post by lexcentric on May 5, 2021 14:43:37 GMT -8
Has anybody installed Lithium-based batteries in their trailers? They're a LOT more expensive, but they're also a LOT lighter and have better useable capacity than Lead-Acid batteries.
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Post by vikx on May 5, 2021 14:58:10 GMT -8
One of my customers did and he loves them. He even runs his dorm fridge with them. I believe he bought two batteries for around $2000.
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ekimnamniets
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Post by ekimnamniets on May 5, 2021 18:23:41 GMT -8
Be VERY careful! In addition to this trailer craziness, I fly large scale radio control aircraft. Sometimes using Li-po batteries. If they are mishandled especially during re-charging they are prone to exploding and catching fire. They burn at around 1400 degrees F. Would take out a trailer in a heartbeat.
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Post by vikx on May 5, 2021 20:13:44 GMT -8
Thank you, ekim! I say all batteries should be outside or in an enclosed vented compartment. They can and do explode, no matter the brand. <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/34828339463/in/dateposted-public/" title="Bad Battery"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/4106/34828339463_e4a932d713_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Bad Battery"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script> This battery was in an enclosed compartment so not a lot of damage to the trailer. It was a regular lead acid. We don't know what happened or why; perhaps the maintainer overcharged it? (not sposed to happen but...) Walmart replaced the 6 month old battery with no questions. Of course with expensive batteries, hard to protect them from theft. I believe the customer above put his in the door side dinette. Not what I would do. |
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shastafam
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1971 Shasta 1400
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Post by shastafam on May 6, 2021 10:22:50 GMT -8
I have some experience with the "Dakota" brand..They are about $100 for 10ah which is steep but when you look at actual capacity and TCO over time it isn't as bad as initial cost looks. Especially depending on what you're looking to power. I've found less battery + more efficient devices = better overall outcome. Switching things to DC to avoid the loss of transfer to AC will help allot.
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Post by vikx on May 6, 2021 11:20:42 GMT -8
I agree on the AC to DC switch. Trying to run even AC light bulbs on 12 volts REALLY eats batteries. Shastafam, is that $100 per battery? That's what I pay for a lead acid...
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shastafam
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1971 Shasta 1400
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Post by shastafam on May 7, 2021 4:09:53 GMT -8
That's $100 for a 10ah 12v battery....There are more options but it worked great. I setup a small solar setup to recover my daily driving on our Teslas and used lead acid and it's kinda terrible. Looking at Tesla Powerwalls next year.
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haze5736
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1970 Fan Lee Liner 16'
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Post by haze5736 on May 17, 2021 12:00:32 GMT -8
I built my own 12v lithium iron phosphate battery from some "inexpensive" chinese cells on alibaba. I think the whole thing cost me around $800 including the BMS. I paid for what was supposed to be a pretty good BMS (battery management system). It would be unwise to build a battery without one from what I read. It protects from over charging and over temperature. It came with built in bluetooth so I can monitor the battery remotely from my phone. It will also cut hte battery off if any of the cells drop below a certain voltage.
I LOVE this battery. We don't have much of a draw so we barely use any power on a weekend trip. But we only have 8 LED lights, 1 13 watt incandescent light, a fantastic fan, charger for 2 phones, battery powered fan and bluetooth speaker. I probably don't even use 10% on a weekend trip.
I had previously installed an all in one power distribution center (ac power, dc power and charge controller all in one) and had to replace the charge controller with one that can charge LifePO4 safely.
The only downfall to the LifePO4 is you can't charge in cold weather. It can be damaged. It also doesn't like to be charged in really hot weather. I don't have to worry about either of those conditions. It can be stored in the cold but can't be used until it warms up. It charges really fast and doesn't require any sort of float charge.
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Jun 2, 2021 7:39:30 GMT -8
I've been studying batteries and comparing Li-Ion and AGM batteries. I can buy one 12 volt AGM (with 205 amp hours) for $225. That will give me basically 50 amp hours of use because you can't let them fall below 50%. A Li-ion battery (12 volt 100 amp hour) will cost about $800. But I can use all of those 100 amp hours. Still, that compares $800 to $450 (...needing TWO AGMs).
What is gained for that extra money is lighter weight, less space (only one battery), and the ability to take many more charges. They also may not need to be maintained with a trickle charger like the AGMs, although I would need to check that assertion.
Probably in the long run, the Li-ion might be worth it. Maybe I'm missing something here.
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BTW, I'm considering AGM because they are a sealed battery that will not leak or off-gas dangerously like regular batteries. I'm putting it under a dinette seat, which is in the living area.
If someone can convince me to buy a Li-ion, I would do it. So far, I'm thinking I have the space and don't mind the extra weight. Any other reasons to spend twice as much money?
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oldman
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Post by oldman on Jun 6, 2021 4:37:38 GMT -8
I've been studying batteries and comparing Li-Ion and AGM batteries. I can buy one 12 volt AGM (with 205 amp hours) for $225. That will give me basically 50 amp hours of use because you can't let them fall below 50%. A Li-ion battery (12 volt 100 amp hour) will cost about $800. But I can use all of those 100 amp hours. Still, that compares $800 to $450 (...needing TWO AGMs). What is gained for that extra money is lighter weight, less space (only one battery), and the ability to take many more charges. They also may not need to be maintained with a trickle charger like the AGMs, although I would need to check that assertion. Probably in the long run, the Li-ion might be worth it. Maybe I'm missing something here. , BTW, I'm considering AGM because they are a sealed battery that will not leak or off-gas dangerously like regular batteries. I'm putting it under a dinette seat, which is in the living area. If someone can convince me to buy a Li-ion, I would do it. So far, I'm thinking I have the space and don't mind the extra weight. Any other reasons to spend twice as much money? Your numbers seem off. If you have a 205ah AGM that will give 100ah not 50ah. If you think you only need a 100ah battery you could get away with one battery in both cases. Also you can get a 100ah LiFePO4 battery for $500 and 200ah for $800. Check out Ampere Time on Amazon. They have solid reviews and are well built. Good customer service from my experience as well. I have the 200ah unit. |
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Jun 6, 2021 4:46:37 GMT -8
Duh, thanks for correcting my math. I was suggesting I would need about 200 amp hours for boondocking a week. Does that make sense?
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