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Topic: House Batteries (Read 954 times) previous topic - next topic

House Batteries

Any suggestions on new house batteries for 01 Foretravel U320?

Re: House Batteries

Reply #1 –
We replaced our two 8D AGM batteries with two Battle Born 8D LiFePO4 batteries and have been well pleased. I changed some settings on our Magnum inverter/charger and everything appears to be performing as it should.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: House Batteries

Reply #2 –
David, did you have to do anything to protect the alternator?

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: House Batteries

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Tommy D –
David, did you have to do anything to protect the alternator?


I haven't done anything yet and so far I've had no problems. I have a solar system and I try to make sure the batteries are relatively well charged before driving.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: House Batteries

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Larry Stokes –
Any suggestions on new house batteries for 01 Foretravel U320?

Really depends on how you use the coach.

CG with electricity to CG with electricity is completely different than "we boondock 90% of the time".

Li batteries are fine if your use warrants their expense AND you modify the charging system and moderate alternator output (Li batteries can cause an alternator to work at 100% of rated capacity-- something they are not designed to do).

Another excellent option is AGM batteries-- the number and configuration again depends on how you use the rig.  Certainly two 12 VDC 8D AGM's or two pairs of 6 VDC AGM's with similar capacity.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: House Batteries

Reply #5 –
Quote from: D.J. Osborn –
I haven't done anything yet and so far I've had no problems. I have a solar system and I try to make sure the batteries are relatively well charged before driving.
If on the road or leaving a dry campground, we just start and go without a thought about the batteries. Has worked well for over 13 years with no trouble for alternator or batteries.

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

Re: House Batteries

Reply #6 –
I do the same Pierce. In some applications alternators run full out 24/7.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: House Batteries

Reply #7 –
Quote from: oldguy –
I do the same Pierce. In some applications alternators run full out 24/7.
In the fire dept, we used lots of juice at the emergency scene with some apparatus having HID towers for lighting. Some talk about lightweight alternators to replace the L-Ns but a heavier alternator may have better heat dissipation. We never had a problem with L-N products and listed them in the specs for new apparatus.

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

Re: House Batteries

Reply #8 –
The big advantage of lithium batteries is more capacity per size than AGM.  Three 8D AGM get you about 765 total Amp Hr capacity, 1/2 or about 380 is usable.  Just 2 - 300 amp hr Lithium batteries gets you close to 600 amp hrs of usable power.  You have room for three if you wanted to put them in.  8D Lithium batteries weigh less than 1/2 as much as an 8D AGM battery.  This capacity advantage is particularly helpful if you have a residential refrigerator.

You can get very high quality 8D sized Lithium batteries for less than $1700 each with a 10 year warranty and cold weather BMS protection.  Once you put Lithium batteries in, set charge profiles correctly and pay attention to charge rates you will most likely never have to buy house batteries again.  And the next owner might never have to either.

This is the time to consider this carefully, you have to do something with batteries anyway.

This is what we did ... 600 AH Lithium Battery Installation
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: House Batteries

Reply #9 –
I went with two 300 Ah Ampere Time in February. Fit like a dream. Took a system approach: temp sensor, tank heater pad on bottom, B2B charger for alternator, and Amp L Start rated for lithium. Stock location for mounting. Off grid 30 to 40% of time. We now have option of residential fridge. Very happy camper. There are four price points: DIY, Chinese imports w/o cold charging protection, mid stream batts with cold protection and Battle Born etc. Check out Will Prowse hands on evaluation of each tier of battery solution.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: House Batteries

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Realmccoy –
I went with two 300 Ah Ampere Time in February. Fit like a dream. Took a system approach: temp sensor, tank heater pad on bottom, B2B charger for alternator, and Amp L Start rated for lithium. Stock location for mounting.

Do you have the specifics on the tank heater pad you used?
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: House Batteries

Reply #11 –
Rec Pro 12x18" thermostatically controlled. Made by Facon. RV fresh, gray, black water tank heaters.

You could also use the smaller pads for pipes on side of battery and connect with thermostatic switch purchased separately. In hindsight that would be my first choice.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: House Batteries

Reply #12 –
Quote from: D.J. Osborn –
Do you have the specifics on the tank heater pad you used?
DJ, my only experience with using my lithium batteries during cold weather was going to Q this past winter. My house batteries are in the outside bay with the aqua hot bay beside it in the middle of my coach. While in Texas one night it got downs to 13 degrees with 20mph winds and we woke up to 2" of snow. Battery temp was 47F. If you are using your batteries and not in an extreme weather area I don't think the tank heater is needed, at least not in my scenario. Yours may be different. Just throwing it out there.

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: House Batteries

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Tommy D –
DJ, my only experience with using my lithium batteries during cold weather was going to Q this past winter. My house batteries are in the outside bay with the aqua hot bay beside it in the middle of my coach. While in Texas one night it got downs to 13 degrees with 20mph winds and we woke up to 2" of snow. Battery temp was 47F. If you are using your batteries and not in an extreme weather area I don't think the tank heater is needed, at least not in my scenario. Yours may be different. Just throwing it out there.

I am waiting for the arrival of two 300 Ah lipo4 batteries. When I am out and about the AquaHot will be on. I will put the 2 batteries in the AquaHot compartment. I will need thin film battery heaters when the coach is parked (storage) in cold weather with the AquaHot off.

Tim
Tim Dianics
Pam Sapienza
Vader PupZilla Labrador Canine Beast (AKA Pup)
Columbia, MO
1996 U320 4000
2021 Jeep Gladiator, Diesel

Re: House Batteries

Reply #14 –
Tim, in your U320 the AH will help keep the battery bay warm as will charging and discharging the batteries.  You should  have temperature sensors mounted on the battery terminals for your inverter or battery monitor, maybe both.  When this temperature gets below the manufacturer's minimum temp requirement then heating is needed  from any source.

Most LiFePO4 batteries can be charged at low rates when the batteries are cold. Mine are connected to a 40 amp smart charger for 600 amp hrs.  That ia at most 7% C (capacity) and that is OK.  At home with the coach in the barn and the smaller charger on, the battery tempertures run about 20° above outside ambient.  When we are getting ready to leave the AH is on electric, temp set to 40° and the battery bay is in the mid 40s.

So, monitor the temperature of the batteries at the terminals, add some heat as needed.  It won't happen very often.

We have 1200 watts of solar on the roof that charges the LiFePO4 batteries while driving.  We also have a 60 amp smart Battery to Battery charger (B2B).  The B2B is almost never on while driving, solar is sufficient to arrive wherever we are going at 100% SOC even with a residential refrigerator.running on the inverter.  If it is very cloudy or raining all day I will turn it on.  Without solar, the B2B charger would be sufficient in most cases to keep the batteries charged while driving and safe for the batteries and easier on your alternator.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: House Batteries

Reply #16 –
Enduro Power Baja 12V LiFePO4 Battery

$1699 for 300 ah

From the seller... " The Enduro Power 12V Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries are half the weight and triple the power of a regular lead-acid battery. The Enduro Power batteries power up to 3500+ cycles and are 5X the lifespan of regular batteries. All Enduro Power Baja Series batteries come with low temperature charging protection and able to connect in parallel or series. Each Enduro battery comes with a 10-year warranty. This battery is great for off-grid solar applications, boats, and recreational vehicles. "
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: House Batteries

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
Enduro Power Baja 12V LiFePO4 Battery

$1699 for 300 ah

From the seller... " The Enduro Power 12V Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries are half the weight and triple the power of a regular lead-acid battery. The Enduro Power batteries power up to 3500+ cycles and are 5X the lifespan of regular batteries. All Enduro Power Baja Series batteries come with low temperature charging protection and able to connect in parallel or series. Each Enduro battery comes with a 10-year warranty. This battery is great for off-grid solar applications, boats, and recreational vehicles. "

I don't see where it says what the max amps you can pull at any moment,  The amper-time  says 100amps, the plus is 200 amps. Most time when something is not listed in the specs, theirs is not good, so 100 amps or less??
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: House Batteries

Reply #18 –
Looks like 200 amps continuous per battery.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0526/4343/0564/files/EN300BAJA_SpecSheet_12V300Ah.pdf?v=1627305341

Recommended charge is 10-40%C.


I don't have these batteries but specs, warranty, price, and the excellent customer support I have gotten from Continuous Resources (seller) would have me considering these.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN