Best battery replacement

[Hoopy Frood]

While I agree that a Lead Acid replacement battery is fine for anyone that is always staying at a campground with Electric hookups, I would suggest that you seriously consider a cheaper Lithium (LiFePo4) battery. Simply because, the battery will provide you with more usable energy storage (even if you don't replace the Converter from the OEM Lead Acid Converter), they will last longer (probably longer than the camper) and they are maintenance free.

Lithium batteries just perform so much better than Lead Acid batteries that I think every RV should have Lithium as the house batteries instead of LA.

Just curious what you consider a "cheaper" lithium battery. I'm pretty sure I can replace my $93 Wally World special 2 or 3 times for the cost of a single lithium battery. Mine generally last 4-5 years, if I don't forget to turn the Battery Disconnect Switch to "Off". Heck, many people don't even keep a trailer for 5 years.

[Soundsailor]

Just curious what you consider a "cheaper" lithium battery. I'm pretty sure I can replace my $93 Wally World special 2 or 3 times for the cost of a single lithium battery. Mine generally last 4-5 years, if I don't forget to turn the Battery Disconnect Switch to "Off". Heck, many people don't even keep a trailer for 5 years.

This (https://smile.amazon.com/LOSSIGY-Lit.../dp/B09RZY7SDH) is the smaller version of the ones I have (200 Ah). Yes, about 3 times the cost. In exchange, you get twice the usable power, faster charging, and much longer life.

[Hoopy Frood]

This (https://smile.amazon.com/LOSSIGY-Lit.../dp/B09RZY7SDH) is the smaller version of the ones I have (200 Ah). Yes, about 3 times the cost. In exchange, you get twice the usable power, faster charging, and much longer life.

Whoa, that's over 4 times as much. I plug in all the time, so I don't need twice the usable power, faster charging, and much longer life. Lithium are great for boodocking, no question, but an unnecessary expense if you don't. I can still buy a decent amount of fuel for the difference in price.

[Scramjet]

Whoa, that's over 4 times as much. I plug in all the time, so I don't need twice the usable power, faster charging, and much longer life. Lithium are great for boodocking, no question, but an unnecessary expense if you don't. I can still buy a decent amount of fuel for the difference in price.

The only other thing I would add to the battery decision is that you need to consider how well you care for your battery or batteries. I know people who “only plug in” but repeatedly kill their batteries. That gets expensive. If you take care of your batteries and are always plugged in then lead acid can work well but if you don’t take care of your batteries and run them down a few times then lithium can be cheaper in the long run.

Brian

[Billh662]

While I agree that a Lead Acid replacement battery is fine for anyone that is always staying at a campground with Electric hookups, I would suggest that you seriously consider a cheaper Lithium (LiFePo4) battery. Simply because, the battery will provide you with more usable energy storage (even if you don't replace the Converter from the OEM Lead Acid Converter), they will last longer (probably longer than the camper) and they are maintenance free.

Lithium batteries just perform so much better than Lead Acid batteries that I think every RV should have Lithium as the house batteries instead of LA.

Hi Dave,

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "(even if you don't replace the Converter from the OEM Lead Acid Converter)".

Are you saying I can use the charger that came with the 22MLE to charge the LiFePo4 battery?

I thought they needed a different type of charger.

Thanks,
Bill

[MoonShadow_1911]

Hi Dave,

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "(even if you don't replace the Converter from the OEM Lead Acid Converter)".

Are you saying I can use the charger that came with the 22MLE to charge the LiFePo4 battery?

I thought they needed a different type of charger.

Thanks,
Bill

Yes you can, however the LiFePO4 batteries will never charge to their capacity. They will charge to between 80%-90% capacity.

[SolarPoweredRV]

Hi Dave,

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "(even if you don't replace the Converter from the OEM Lead Acid Converter)".

Are you saying I can use the charger that came with the 22MLE to charge the LiFePo4 battery?

I thought they needed a different type of charger.

Thanks,
Bill

Yes you can, however the LiFePO4 batteries will never charge to their capacity. They will charge to between 80%-90% capacity.

If you are replacing Lead Acid batteries with Lithium, you will instantly double your "usable" storage capacity (owing to Lead Acid's 50% depth of discharge limitation before damaging your LA battery). However, this doubling only happens if you can fully charge your Lithium batteries. Since Lithium batteries have a higher voltage than LA batteries your OEM Converter will not be able to fully charge your new Lithium batteries.

Your OEM (non-Lithium capable) Converter is capable of charging your batteries to about 60 - 75 percent of full (there is some debate on the exact percentage). Not replacing your Converter right away is one way to keep your conversion "wallet friendly". You can replace the Converter next camping season, or by buying an Inverter/Charger which eliminates the need for a Converter.

Even if you choose to delay replacing your Converter, you will still get most of the benefits of Lithium batteries by simply ditching your old Lead Acid batteries.

Check out this thread "Installing Solar in Phases":

Installing-a-Solar-System-in-Phases

You might also want to check out this thread:

Affordable-Solar-How-To-Design-and-Install-an-Affordable-Solar-System

[JPS350]

The benefits if LiFePo4 batteries are reduced weight, fast charging, the ability to use pretty much all of the capacity, and more charge cycles than lead acid.

If the OP's setup does not have the charging system in place for these batteries and only get's 60-75% of full charge, he's not that much further ahead over comparable lead acid. Does the non- lithium charger running a lead acid profile have the ability to charge the lithium batteries quickly? Is the existing wiring even large enough to charge them quickly? Will the lithium batteries have the expected # of cycles if they are not charged properly with a lithium charging profile? Does he care to have less weight on the trailer tongue where it will do the most good concerning sway?

That said, the OP plans on plugging in and not going off grid, I find it hard to believe that anything more than a group 27 lead acid battery would make more sense for him. A group 27 marine "deep cycle" battery is not even a real deep cycle battery, but he doesn't even need that.

[mwdilday]

I have 2 AGM 12 volt and they are doing good for me. Didn't want to make the jump to lithium.

[WhittleBurner]

We have two Trojan 6 volt golf cart batteries with no complaints.