Lithium Battery Brands?

[reubenray]

Ordering my battery from LiTime was a nightmare, but my battery will be here tomorrow. As soon as I placed the order I got an email from LiTime and my wife got a text from our bank. Both of these were concerning a fraudulent purchase. LiTime was warning that some banks will flag this being it was with an international bank. After a lot of phone calls it was resolved.

Now that the battery is on the way I have some questions on the steps to install it. Below are my steps. Please let me know if this is OK or not.

1) Turn off the solar disconnect and the main disconnect.

2) Remove the negative cable first and then the positive cable.

3) Swap out the batteries.

4) Connect the positive cable first and the negative cable last.

4) Change the Furrion MPPT 50 from AGM to Lithium

5) Turn the main disconnect and the solar disconnect back on.

Should (5) and (4) be swapped? Also being the trailer is in storage I will turn the main disconnect off when I leave. I will got by a few days later to check on the battery. The trailer is in full sun, so the solar panel should charge the battery to full capacity. How long will this take?

 

[gchalifoux]

Another thing you might consider since you are going to be mounting your batteries on the tongue, LiTime (and others) make a "Mini" battery that takes up less space. This might be a good solution for you since you are space limited.

By-the-way, it hasn't come up in this thread, but, you need to be aware that Lithium (LiFePo4) batteries can not be charged if they are exposed to freezing temperatures. Specifically, if the battery temperature is 32 degrees, or below, they can not take a charge (attempting to charge will ruin the battery). They can be used below 32 degrees, they just can't be charged. Consequently, you need to ensure that the batteries you are buying has a colt temperature cutoff as part of the BMS. If you will be camping in cold weather, you might need to install a heater in your battery box.

Thanks David!
Yes the battery I chose does have "low temp cutoff". Does this mean that the battery automatically stops charging when it hits the low temp threshold? and whatever charge is available can be used? Also I assume that this also means that when the temp goes above that threshold that the battery will automatically start charging again.

We really don't plan to be out in the cold temps camping, however that doesn't mean that our first or last trips of the year e.g (early spring/late fall) temps might be int he low 40's?? -ish.

Once we are done camping for the year, I used to pull the lead/acid batteries and put them on the work bench on a smart charger. What are good practices for winter storage of these Lifepo4 batteries.
thanks/Gary

 

[downsc123]

Once we are done camping for the year, I used to pull the lead/acid batteries and put them on the work bench on a smart charger. What are good practices for winter storage of these Lifepo4 batteries.
thanks/Gary

Discharge then to around 50-60% SOC and let them sit disconnected - I check on mine a few times over the winter but really haven't needed to touch it (I store mine inside)

 

[reubenray]

Discharge then to around 50-60% SOC and let them sit disconnected - I check on mine a few times over the winter but really haven't needed to touch it (I store mine inside)

How would I discharge the battery and would I disconnect both cables? I also brought my AGM battery into my garage on a trickle charger during the winter. The battery I just bought does not have the low-temperature cutoff feature.

 

[downsc123]

Either be off shore power or turn off the solar and the main converter and run something in the camper on your last trip out. Or you can pull the battery out and hook up a 12v DC load and draw it down. For AMG or LA batteries you would want to either keep it on a maintenance charge or charge it a few times over the winter.

 

[gchalifoux]

Ordering my battery from LiTime was a nightmare, but my battery will be here tomorrow. As soon as I placed the order I got an email from LiTime and my wife got a text from our bank. Both of these were concerning a fraudulent purchase. LiTime was warning that some banks will flag this being it was with an international bank. After a lot of phone calls it was resolved.

Now that the battery is on the way I have some questions on the steps to install it. Below are my steps. Please let me know if this is OK or not.

1) Turn off the solar disconnect and the main disconnect.

2) Remove the negative cable first and then the positive cable.

3) Swap out the batteries.

4) Connect the positive cable first and the negative cable last.

4) Change the Furrion MPPT 50 from AGM to Lithium

5) Turn the main disconnect and the solar disconnect back on.

Should (5) and (4) be swapped? Also being the trailer is in storage I will turn the main disconnect off when I leave. I will got by a few days later to check on the battery. The trailer is in full sun, so the solar panel should charge the battery to full capacity. How long will this take?

Thanks for this Raymond!
I'm at that same point. Waiting for the new gear to arrive.

I was wondering about the order of things as well. But first, I was wondering about how to shut off the solar charging system. At this point I switched the battery disconnect so that the battery could be removed. However the solar controller is still "alive" and has the red led indicating that the battery is not connected. I thought maybe the solar controller had a power on/off button?? which looking at the controller owners guide looks like there is, however pressing the button didn't turn off the controller. Is this something I need to do via the main circuit breaker ? and or should I just shut off the MAIN breaker(s) to power "everything down" ??

appreciate input from others with experience with shutting down the solar system.
thanks/Gary

 

[reubenray]

Thanks for this Raymond!
I'm at that same point. Waiting for the new gear to arrive.

I was wondering about the order of things as well. But first, I was wondering about how to shut off the solar charging system. At this point I switched the battery disconnect so that the battery could be removed. However the solar controller is still "alive" and has the red led indicating that the battery is not connected. I thought maybe the solar controller had a power on/off button?? which looking at the controller owners guide looks like there is, however pressing the button didn't turn off the controller. Is this something I need to do via the main circuit breaker ? and or should I just shut off the MAIN breaker(s) to power "everything down" ??

appreciate input from others with experience with shutting down the solar system.
thanks/Gary

I have a separate solar disconnect.

 

[reubenray]

I swapped out my batteries this morning after receiving the battery yesterday and boy was it a PITA. My battery box is under an overhang which prevents the battery from being pulled straight up. I was able to get the battery remover attached to the battery post, but it fell off just as I jerked the battery out. Luckily it did not land on my feet. My new battery has handles and it was much lighter, so it was much easier to put in the box. The new battery was taller, so my screwdriver was to tall to tighten the screws. I had a pair of pliers to tighten them tight.

When I turned everything back on it showed the battery was at 13.2. About 10 minutes later it was up to 13.3. I will check on it tomorrow to verify the Furrion MPPT stayed on the lithium setting and it is either charged or charging.

 

[Grandesigner]

Ordering my battery from LiTime was a nightmare, but my battery will be here tomorrow. As soon as I placed the order I got an email from LiTime and my wife got a text from our bank. Both of these were concerning a fraudulent purchase. LiTime was warning that some banks will flag this being it was with an international bank. After a lot of phone calls it was resolved.

Now that the battery is on the way I have some questions on the steps to install it. Below are my steps. Please let me know if this is OK or not.

1) Turn off the solar disconnect and the main disconnect.

2) Remove the negative cable first and then the positive cable.

3) Swap out the batteries.

4) Connect the positive cable first and the negative cable last.

4) Change the Furrion MPPT 50 from AGM to Lithium

5) Turn the main disconnect and the solar disconnect back on.

Should (5) and (4) be swapped? Also being the trailer is in storage I will turn the main disconnect off when I leave. I will got by a few days later to check on the battery. The trailer is in full sun, so the solar panel should charge the battery to full capacity. How long will this take?

I wonder why ordering a battery online should be so problematic...I'm thinking of ordering their 230 model but am now hesitant.

 

[reubenray]

I wonder why ordering a battery online should be so problematic...I'm thinking of ordering their 230 model but am now hesitant.

The email from LiTime mentioned the international bank is what would set off the fraud alert. I went through Paypal and I still got the alert. The battery was shipped from Houston.

 

[GoodScout]

We started off with 2 Lion Energy Safari 1300's because they were on sale at Costco for 2 for $1395. I now have 6 and they've performed wonderfully with our solar system.

 

[reubenray]

I swapped out my batteries this morning after receiving the battery yesterday and boy was it a PITA. My battery box is under an overhang which prevents the battery from being pulled straight up. I was able to get the battery remover attached to the battery post, but it fell off just as I jerked the battery out. Luckily it did not land on my feet. My new battery has handles and it was much lighter, so it was much easier to put in the box. The new battery was taller, so my screwdriver was to tall to tighten the screws. I had a pair of pliers to tighten them tight.

When I turned everything back on it showed the battery was at 13.2. About 10 minutes later it was up to 13.3. I will check on it tomorrow to verify the Furrion MPPT stayed on the lithium setting and it is either charged or charging.

I checked my battery this morning and it had 13.8v. Is this OK?

 

[Soundsailor]

Well, it sounds like your battery is slowly charging up. I do not remember if your converter/charger is lithium-aware. Are you just depending on the solar to charge the battery fully? If so you're fine.

 

[reubenray]

Well, it sounds like your battery is slowly charging up. I do not remember if your converter/charger is lithium-aware. Are you just depending on the solar to charge the battery fully? If so you're fine.

Right now I am dependent only on solar power while the trailer is in storage. My converter/charger is lithium aware, but I will have to change it from AGM to Lithium. But the location of the converter/charger makes it impossible for me to change the setting. I am hoping I can get someone either at my dealer or at an upcoming GD rally to change it.

 

[SolarPoweredRV]

Right now I am dependent only on solar power while the trailer is in storage. My converter/charger is lithium aware, but I will have to change it from AGM to Lithium. But the location of the converter/charger makes it impossible for me to change the setting. I am hoping I can get someone either at my dealer or at an upcoming GD rally to change it.

Even if your Converter remains on the Lead Acid/AGM setting, it will keep your battery charged to around 70% (+/-), while your Solar will top it off to 100%. You can run like this indefinitely. The only limitation with this method is that it can reduce your boondocking time because your battery may not start out with a full charge.

 

[Oldcow]

Because of shipping regulations, Lithium batteries can not be transported fully charged.

Most batteries come about 1/3rd charged (+/-).

How long till you can install it?

Generally speaking, Lithium batteries do not loose very much charge while being stored. However, if it will be more than 6 months before you can install the battery, I would suggest you also buy a cheap Lithium battery charger and charge up the battery (note: you could even use a Lead Acid battery charger as a one time boost to increase the charge your battery was shipped with).

As far as sale pricing goes, there is a pretty good chance that LiFePo4 batteries will get hit with an import tariff. Consequently, you might want to buy now, versus 6 months down the road.

Am I to understand that any new lithium battery I get should be charged on my work bench if I don't plan to install for 6 months? and why?

Oldcow

 

[Butcher]

If you are building your own batteries, I would make certain they are all balanced. I would balance the batteries [full charge] then drain them down a bit.

There are a lot of opinions on this and nobody is wrong or right. Just different.

 

[Eleven99]

As a LifePo newbie. I had slightly damaged my lead battery provided by the dealership thinking that I had all of the power of a 100ah battery. We are normally a hook up traveler during our trips. I was not okay with the costs for those overnight stays in between trips.

So, I started to research and educate myself on batteries. I decided to switch over to Lithium to allow us the freedom of being able to stop overnight at places without power (Love's, Pilot, rest stops, etc).

Since I could not afford to put in a $9k "overnight stay" solar package after buying the trailer and traveling. After speaking with solar installers about piece meal lithium projects, I decided to start with one battery.

I found a TimeUSB 140ah LifePO4 battery for our small trailer while keeping the one solar panel provided by the maker. What drew me to this battery was two things. 1) the battery had low temp cut off, 2) the price (during an Amazon deal).

The battery arrived 50% charged and easy to install on the trailer. I changed the profile on my Furrion Solar Charge Controller and on our way we went. We have been able to stay overnight with no plug in power while keeping the lights on, water pump, refrigerator and overhead fans overnight without issues.

One problem that we have encountered......the Furrion SCC refused to keep the Lithium profile....it kept switching back to lead. After some work and calls to Lippert, they are replacing the SCC. I will be eventually changing out the SCC to something better down the road.

Even though I still have power in the morning after our overnight stays, I am thinking of adding more battery to the bank and adding one more solar panel to help.

During our trailer storage periods, I pull the battery and keep it boxed and stored safely. I check it monthly during our non-travel periods to make sure it has some stored power to avoid issues.

Switching to Lithium was probably the best choice we could make and we are glad that we have more options. Maybe, we will try Harvest Host next year.

 

[Grandesigner]

So is there anything wrong with leaving my new Li Batt hooked up to my solar all winter long? It has low temp protection...and we get lots of sun here.

 

[Soundsailor]

So is there anything wrong with leaving my new Li Batt hooked up to my solar all winter long? It has low temp protection...and we get lots of sun here.

You should be fine as long as the low temperature protection is effective.