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Topic: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews (Read 2369 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews Cable Managemant

Reply #25 –

Time for some serious commitment to battery cables and connections. As a rule there should never be more than 2 cables on a stud/bolt connection. 1 is even better. Here are some bus bars to look at.

Amazon.com : bus bars

Get some real crimp tools and use heavy duty ring terminals, the correct 8mm size for the battery and whatever size bus bars you get.

SELTERM 25pcs 6 AWG 1/4" Stud Marine Grade Tinned Copper Battery Cable Lugs,...

Especially for inverter loads and generator starting the wiring can often be more important than the batteries. 

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Dennis Haynes
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
Build #6475
Motorcade #19148

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews

Reply #26 –
Quote from: Dennis H –
Time for some serious commitment to battery cables and connections. As a rule there should never be more than 2 cables on a stud/bolt connection. 1 is even better. Here are some bus bars to look at.

Amazon.com : bus bars

Get some real crimp tools and use heavy duty ring terminals, the correct 8mm size for the battery and whatever size bus bars you get.

SELTERM 25pcs 6 AWG 1/4" Stud Marine Grade Tinned Copper Battery Cable Lugs,...

Especially for inverter loads and generator starting the wiring can often be more important than the batteries.
Excellent point, and thank you. There are a bunch of YouTube videos on this subject. We are getting a little off subject but I added a link to one below.
I have a good crimper. My coach did not come with an inverter. When I bought it in 2016 I added 500 watts of solar panels, an mttp charge controller and wired a 750 watt inverter to power one circuit in the coach. It has served me well up to this point but I should probably think about an inverter/charger and adding more solar panels.

https://youtu.be/SrJvFwTyYNo?si=kHHMYArTtSp2aaaU
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews Battery Cables

Reply #27 –
Care is also needed in the selection of battery cables. There is a lot of garbage out there including wire that is aluminum with copper cladding. You want minimum resistance as 12-volt systems are quickly affected by voltage drop. For those willing to pay this is amongst my favorite cable choice.

https://catalogs.lawsonproducts.com/lawsoncatalog/Lawson-Products-Volume-38-Catalog-2023/18-3/

As part of assembling the cable ends you also want a good quality shrink tube to keep moisture and other contamination out t=of the wire ends. I prefer heavier wall stuff that also has a sealant inside.
Dennis Haynes
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
Build #6475
Motorcade #19148

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews

Reply #29 –
Spiderhitch, did you go with the Vatrer 460?  What's your opinion?  I'm thinking of replacing my 6 BB 100's with 2 460's, and 2 Vatrer will fit...don't need Victron link but the Bluetooth is appealing.

Quote from: Spiderhitch –
I am currently looking at 460AH Vatrer or Epoch batteries. Seems Epoch has bit more, heated and Victron coms, quite bit more money. Going to put in one now and set up for 1 or 2 more later. My AGMs are shot. Any thoughts/suggestions?
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews

Reply #30 –
Following.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews

Reply #31 –

I ordered 3 of these: Amazon.com: Litime 12V 400Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Battery 3200W Max. Load Power...
They should be delivered Sept. 9 or 10th.  Hope to have them installed that day as all is ready for the installation. 

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Herb and Willie
Escapees 90802
2014 IH-45 Build 6581
2002 U320 40' AGDS Build 6021 Sold
1999 U320 36' No Slides Sold
2007 Monaco Dynasty Diamond IV Sold
2005 Discovery 39 Sold
1986 20' Wilderness TT,  Died a natural death after floods, etc.
Walldog's Journeys
And Willie Said

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews

Reply #32 –
That is a lot of battery capacity. What are you feeding and how are you charging them?
Dennis Haynes
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
Build #6475
Motorcade #19148

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews

Reply #33 –
Some pretty darn impressive battery systems being configured here.  I sincerely hope everyone is taking proper safety precautions in handling these high amperage units, get a wrench between terminals on a 400 ah battery and it'll be like God's own welding rig striking an arc.  Face shield, insulating gloves, proper tools at a minimum along with a healthy dose of respect for the huge amount of energy contained in one of these innocuous looking packages.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews

Reply #34 –
Quote from: kjsifer –
I'm really liking the EG4-LL's from Signature Solar. They are a rack mounted solution that fits nicely in the battery bay. Just remember that you will have to swap out your inverter unless it is lithium compliant.

Picture attached of my installation. I have one more sitting in the shop that I need to add.

Kevin
is that 52 volt 100 AH versions, so 5000 + Wh capacity ?
So inverter/charger need to handle 12 volt, 52 volt and 115 volt?
What inverter did you go with ?  Victron ?

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews

Reply #35 –
The solar charge controllers convert the solar voltage up to 150v back to 12 volts.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews

Reply #36 –
It should be noted that the Lithium-Ion batteries are the most dangerous types, not the LFP or Lithium Iron Phosphate type. Tesla still uses the Li-ion in their longer range vehicles as it gives 3x the range for the same size/weight. Since 2021, they have changed to LFP batteries in the standard range cars. BYD vehicles, like the ones sold in Mexico and Canada, use LFP batteries so can be safely parked in a garage. In buying new house batteries, check the type and do the research.

The danger for RVs is a cobbled together battery(s) made from Li-ion. If they catch fire, they take a large amount of water to put out and can self ignite hours or even days later.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews

Reply #37 –
Being the adventurer I am, I went ahead and ordered 2 Vatrer 460's from the jungle website, and they arrived quickly, undamaged in well packaged boxes.  The date of manufacture was only 20 days ago!!!  Seriously???  That's been verified with the app connection to the BMS.  Wowza.

Installed today and so far I am really impressed.  They fit perfectly into the OEM FT 8D lower rack, albeit sideways from ideal....ie the terminals and on/off switch facing to the right/rear.  Can't get to the ON/OFF switch readily, but in my config, this config requires much shorter cables to my junction blocks.  I tried rotating the steel rack 90 deg but it's too snug a fit between the rear bulkhead/fuel tank without modification...maybe later.

So for the arithmetic challenged, any FT with 8D house batteries, you could replace those 150# 8D anchors with these 100# packs for 1200 bucks each and double your actual available Ah capacity, at 2/3 the weight.  Duh.  And if you still have the 3rd U320 8D rack, you could triple the factory AGM ampHour capacity and go full coach electric like the big dogs.

The Overkill Solar app allows you to turn charge and discharge on/off on each pack individually vs. pushing the button(s)...awesome!!!  (But buttons need to be ON.....when you parallel 2 packs the blue switch light will illuminate, but the BMS/bluetooth is NOT fully integrated!!!).  This might come in handy for some off grid applications??
From reviews, I did not even try the App suggested by Vatrer....Overkill Solar app displays everything (and more) than I need.

Pics below show install of the previous 6x100A BattleBorn and the 2 Vatrer 460's.  Anxious to feedback my impressions of the comparisons to the BB's. 

Hoping to sell all or most of my Battleborn's to offset the upgrade....never "cold", and never abused....half price.  Might bring to Q.  PM if interested.

 W.

(edit....replaced BB pic with a better comparison)
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews Vatrer Battery.

Reply #38 –
I have a 48 Volt 100 A/H Vatrer battery in my golf cart. Justification was the ability to "turn it off" for storage. Lat storage was from January to just a few weeks ago. Battery was charged when I left and when I returned it was still at 28%. With the charger that came with it, it was fully charged again in about 2.5 hours. This battery is now about 2 years old.

Despite various charging and storage rituals the lead acid batteries were often not lasting 2 years and 6, 8 volt batteries were a near $1,200 expense so this just made sense. When in Florida using the cart, the LA batteries would need to be charged every 2 to 3 days. This last trip I only need to charge it once for the 10-day visit.

The display and Bluetooth app work well including being able to monitor the individual cell voltages.

For my Foretravel upgrade I was looking for something more cost efficient and drop in. As I have battery metering, I did not see the need for communications and as my batteries are in the center of the coach I don't see an issue with cold weather operation. I went with the LiTimes, 300 A/H. 2 of these gave me the 600 A I had with the 3 210 A/H Lifelines for about $1,100. It is working well with the original engine starting system. I am thinking of adding a 3rd battery, but I would have to address current control from the alternator. My coach used the 4D batteries so I also needed a smaller footprint to get them on the rack.
Dennis Haynes
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
Build #6475
Motorcade #19148

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews

Reply #39 –
Quote from: Dennis H –
That is a lot of battery capacity. What are you feeding and how are you charging them?
.

Sorry, I just noticed this question.  I am using a Victron Multiplus 3000 that I replaced my original Prosine with.  I just replaced the original isolator with an Orion XS 50 A DC/DC Battery Charger (B2B 12v/12v).  I added a Victron 12 V  30A Blue Smart IP22 Charger for the START batteries.  A Cerbo GX with display and a smart shunt let me see what is happening to both sets of batteries by wifi from anywhere.  Solar is in my future, but since I keep the coach under roof except when traveling, I have not added any panels yet, but now I am ready to consider adding them to my system. 
Herb and Willie
Escapees 90802
2014 IH-45 Build 6581
2002 U320 40' AGDS Build 6021 Sold
1999 U320 36' No Slides Sold
2007 Monaco Dynasty Diamond IV Sold
2005 Discovery 39 Sold
1986 20' Wilderness TT,  Died a natural death after floods, etc.
Walldog's Journeys
And Willie Said

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews Sizing the charging capacity

Reply #40 –
The 50A DC charger for 1,200 AH of battery puts you at a 24-hour charger rate. That is if you do not have any simultaneous loads such as a fridge.  Some residential fridges can consume that or even more. Typically, you want to size battery chargers for an 8-charge rate plus the expected loads. Lithium's can actually charge faster, 4 hours rates often preferred as that keeps them from heating up.
Dennis Haynes
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
Build #6475
Motorcade #19148

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews Sizing the charging capacity

Reply #41 –
Quote from: Dennis H –
The 50A DC charger for 1,200 AH of battery puts you at a 24-hour charger rate. That is if you do not have any simultaneous loads such as a fridge.  Some residential fridges can consume that or even more. Typically, you want to size battery chargers for an 8-charge rate plus the expected loads. Lithium's can actually charge faster, 4 hours rates often preferred as that keeps them from heating up.

The 50 amp B2B is to limit the tendency for the alternator to overexert itself trying to charge the lithiums while driving.  I know of no time that I would need to be fully charging the lithiums during travel.  Eventually I will have solar to assist the B2B in charging the lithiums. If it is hot, I will be running my generator to power our ACs which will also put the Multiplus online.  Thanks for your thoughts.
Herb and Willie
Escapees 90802
2014 IH-45 Build 6581
2002 U320 40' AGDS Build 6021 Sold
1999 U320 36' No Slides Sold
2007 Monaco Dynasty Diamond IV Sold
2005 Discovery 39 Sold
1986 20' Wilderness TT,  Died a natural death after floods, etc.
Walldog's Journeys
And Willie Said
 

Re: Lithium Brands: Positive & Negative Reviews

Reply #42 –
Ditto your thoughts Herb.  I ran Battleborns for 3 years before installing the B2B charger(s).  It gives peace of mind for sure.  Before I did the B2B's, I'd have to run the generator for an hour or so before shoving off, just to make sure the batteries didn't overtax the engine genny.  Not any more.  Crank up, stow and go.  W.
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold