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Topic: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320 (Read 1095 times) previous topic - next topic

Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

The U320 and similar older FT have 3 8D sized batteries for the House. Battleborn batteries just introduced a direct replacement for the older 8D gel type batteries and providing 270 AH each, their model BB8D. They also introduced another version of the 270 AH lithium with a slightly different footprint, the BBGC3.

So here is what I'm thinking. If I replace the 3 8D gel batteries with 4 of the GC3 and connect them in series, I could connect them to a Victron Quattro 48/5000/70 hybrid inverter. The 70 Amp charger in the inverter could charge the batteries in as few as 4 hours when connected to shore power. The limitation would be how much of the 50 Amp service could go for the charging while the motorhome is plugged in. So the batteries would be fully charged before I get the MH on the road again. Alternatively, while driving or when boondocking, the 10 KW diesel generator in the RV would charge the batteries in about 2 hours once I limit the charging current from the converter to 135 Amps max. When boondocking, I could just connect the generator through the Quattro for a few hours in parallel with some solar panels to top off the batteries on cloudy days.

The reason I'm thinking about this is because I think it may be time to replace the old 8D House batteries. They're at least 4 years old. Lithium batteries are a great replacement for older gel and lead-acid batteries. Also, I would like to run the Dometic refrigerator on AC electric, instead of propane. That way, I could keep the refrigerator running while driving without having to even think about turning the propane on. I believe the Dometic refrigerators are safer when running with AC instead of propane, whether driving or not, is that right? Four of the 270 AH batteries could run the refrigerator for at least a day. I think the refrigerator pulls about 400 W with AC, but not sure yet.

Once those lithium batteries are in and powering the fridge, I could even replace the 17 gallon Propane tank currently in the RV with a smaller sized unit. One just big enough to run the kitchen burners. Then, in the space saved by using a smaller propane tank, I may have room to add more GC3 batteries. At some point, propane would be eliminated from the RV, hopefully before I blow my yearly budget for improvements to the RV.

Any thoughts on this type of improvement to older U320 or similar FT?
Peter and Patty
2004 4020 U320 PBBS
2017 17' Casita Spirit Deluxe
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Montague, N.J.

Re: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

Reply #1 –
When I changed the AGM batteries they were over 10 years older and still working great. I don't know how long gel batteries last.
I wanted silicone batteries as they worked as well in the cold as in the summer. Hooking up in series would work with the inverter
but what about your 12 volt needs. Running the Dometic frig on electric will use a lot of electricity. I don't believe they are very
efficient on electricity and I don't know if they work is good on electricity as propane.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

Reply #2 –
Quote from: oldguy –
... but what about your 12 volt needs...

Yes, that's one more box that I would need to add. A 48 V to 12 V converter. The reason for connecting the batteries in series is to get that relatively high 48Vdc. That will help with the rest of the wiring once I eventually add solar panels and the charge controller part of the whole system.

The Dometic inside the 2004 U320 is model NDR-1492-BSIMHF 14 cu.ft. From the information that I found online it says it draws 420 W on AC. Not sure if that is correct though?
Peter and Patty
2004 4020 U320 PBBS
2017 17' Casita Spirit Deluxe
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Montague, N.J.

Re: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

Reply #3 –

I wonder if anyone with a U320 has the dimensions for the compartment that has the 2 shelfs and that houses the 3 8D House batteries? I'm trying to figure out how many of the new BBGC3 batteries I may be able to fit on one of the shelfs and if I will also be able to fit the Victron inverter into the other shelf.

P.S. I have not bought the U320 yet, so I have not found a way of getting the size of the battery compartment.
Peter and Patty
2004 4020 U320 PBBS
2017 17' Casita Spirit Deluxe
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Montague, N.J.

Re: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

Reply #4 –
Quote from: cucotx –
I wonder if anyone with a U320 has the dimensions for the compartment that has the 2 shelfs and that houses the 3 8D House batteries? I'm trying to figure out how many of the new BBGC3 batteries I may be able to fit on one of the shelfs and if I will also be able to fit the Victron inverter into the other shelf.

P.S. I have not bought the U320 yet, so I have not found a way of getting the size of the battery compartment.

I don't have the dimensions but have a photo I will attach of the 3 8Ds.  My bay is crammed full and I'm in a muddy campground right now so I can't open it up to measure.

Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

Reply #5 –
Not all U320s have batteries in the same location or in spaces of the same size. Different years, different lengths ... all are different. Until you know exactly what space you have to work with buying batteries that wont fit would be a very expensive error.  Do you know what you re trying to accomplish?  How much power and duration do you need to do that?  This is a complex enough project including solar that I would caution against over complicating it.

See
600 AH Lithium Battery Installation

Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

Reply #6 –
I don't know anything about the electrical stuff.  But I do know that we cut that panel covering the batteries in half, to make it easier to test, check, and access the batteries in situ.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

Reply #7 –
If the battery compartment is like ours, in the middle of the coach, in the passenger side compartment # 1, then it's 2 feet wide by 23 inches deep.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

Reply #8 –
Hi Roger,

I think I'll start with 4 of the BBGC3. That will give me about 13 KW-HR. Between some solar and the generator it will get the batteries ready for overnighting at a Harvest Host site. I may want to go to Quartzsite AZ next year and do some other boondocking in the south west desert. If so, I may add more batteries later this year, budget permitting, to run one of the ACs overnight.

I'm going to read your thread on batteries. Thanks.
Peter and Patty
2004 4020 U320 PBBS
2017 17' Casita Spirit Deluxe
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Montague, N.J.

Re: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

Reply #9 –
Quote from: rbark –
If the battery compartment is like ours, in the middle of the coach, in the passenger side compartment # 1, then it's 2 feet wide by 23 inches deep.

Yea, the 2004 U320 may have the same exact compartment as your 2003 U320. And from the picture that Dan provided, the compartment looks to be 2' tall. If so, I can get at least 4 of the GC3 batteries in there. That will be 270 x 4 = 1080 AH or about 13 KW-HR. The nice thing with some of these lithium batteries is that you can mount them in any position. You can even mount them upside down. So I could mount 3 of them right-side up and one on its side.

Is the inverter in the next storage bay?

Peter and Patty
2004 4020 U320 PBBS
2017 17' Casita Spirit Deluxe
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Montague, N.J.

Re: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

Reply #10 –
Quote from: cucotx –
Yea, the 2004 U320 may have the same exact compartment as your 2003 U320. And from the picture that Dan provided, the compartment looks to be 2' tall. If so, I can get at least 4 of the GC3 batteries in there. That will be 270 x 4 = 1080 AH or about 13 KW-HR. The nice thing with some of these lithium batteries is that you can mount them in any position. You can even mount them upside down. So I could mount 3 of them right-side up and one on its side.

Is the inverter in the next storage bay?




Invertor is on drivers side.  Batteries accessed from passenger side.  (2003 U320)
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

Reply #11 –
Mine is a 2004 but only a 38' vs 40' but these pictures will give you an idea of the layout that it sounds like you are thinking about doing.  Four 8D lithiums do fit nicely in the battery bay and four more just behind the joey beneath the black plywood box.  Victron 24/5000/120 is on the opposite side of coach as AC7880 stated.
Oscar & Janet Valent
2023 Coach House 261XLQD
Former 2004 U320 3820 PBBS
Former 2007 Newell Coach #815
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

Re: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

Reply #12 –
Quote from: cucotx –
Hi Roger,

I think I'll start with 4 of the BBGC3. That will give me about 13 KW-HR. Between some solar and the generator it will get the batteries ready for overnighting at a Harvest Host site. I may want to go to Quartzsite AZ next year and do some other boondocking in the south west desert. If so, I may add more batteries later this year, budget permitting, to run one of the ACs overnight.

I'm going to read your thread on batteries. Thanks.

Our 600 amp hrs BattleBorn GC2 sized batteries fit (just) in the space used by 2 8D batteries in my coach. The standard form factor would only fit 3.  With 1200 watts of solar, a small 11 lb LP tank for the stove, a full sized residential refrigerator and probably more than the normal 12v and 120v toys we can operate off grid without using the generator for as long as fresh water and waste tank space hold out and be close to 100% SOC when we leave. For us that can be 10 to 14 days.  We use about 3.3 Kwh per day. This project came after 8 years of using out coach 5-7 months a year and was the last of several steps to get to the end result.

Oscar sort of pushed the envelope way out but excess capacity beyond your needs plus reserve and recharge capacity is just excess capacity (cost).  What Oscar has was designed to fit the needs as he understood them based on his experience and how he expected to use his coach.

You are new to FTs. A year or more of actual experience with what you have and learning how you are going to use it will help you focus on a system that really fits what you need and whether you want to invest that much in that coach.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –

Oscar sort of pushed the envelope way out but excess capacity beyond your needs plus reserve and recharge capacity is just excess capacity (cost).


We average about 10kwh of usage a day if we use diesel for the aquahot.  In the Dec/Jan when the days are short and the sun is at a lower angle our 3320w of solar is just enough to meet our needs without starting up the generator.  If I get 3 "dark" overcast days in in row I will need sun the 4th day or else I will have to run the genset.  In the summer I can use aqua hot on electric and use AC without a problem.  Just depends where you camp, what time of the year, and the appliances you are using.  It is all a trade off.  The best part is getting a Foretravel and building from there.

Safe travels and stay healthy,
Oscar
Oscar & Janet Valent
2023 Coach House 261XLQD
Former 2004 U320 3820 PBBS
Former 2007 Newell Coach #815
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

Re: Battleborn BB8D - BBGC3 270 AH Lithium Replacement for the 3 8D batteries - U320

Reply #14 –
Quote from: valento –
We average about 10kwh of usage a day if we use diesel for the aquahot.  In the Dec/Jan when the days are short and the sun is at a lower angle our 3320w of solar is just enough to meet our needs without starting up the generator.  If I get 3 "dark" overcast days in in row I will need sun the 4th day or else I will have to run the genset.  In the summer I can use aqua hot on electric and use AC without a problem.  Just depends where you camp, what time of the year, and the appliances you are using.  It is all a trade off.  The best part is getting a Foretravel and building from there.

Safe travels and stay healthy,
Oscar

Very nice job on the overall installation! It appears to be ideal for camping at any time of the year. I don't know whether or not we'll ever achieve as comprehensive an installation as yours--but it's an excellent goal!
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186