Need new batteries. What to get. HELP

Quinny98

New Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2020
Messages
3
Location
Canada
Good day everyone,
It's time to upgrade my batteries. We own a 2018 GD reflection 311BHS FW. The batteries I removed for winter storage are original and don't charge fully anymore.
Batteries and anything electrical is Greek to me so looking for some help.
Sounds like Lithium is the way to go these days. We had 2-100AH lead acid batteries, and assume I need to replace with the same?
We don't boondock, but we do spend nights at Walmart's and Bass Pro's etc. so would need power for those occasions.
I'd like to take advantage of some cyber Monday deals. I've been lurking on Renogy's website, but it's very overwhelming.
I just don't know what to buy and don't want to overspend on things I don't need.
Thank you in advance.

Kyle
 
Lithium offers a lot over lead acid and there are plenty of options. You could replace with 2 100ah, or one big battery. We went with LiTime and have been happy with them.
 
The Epoch batteries (12V 100Ah Marine Battery - Lithium Trolling Motor Battery) seem pretty good. If I were shopping I'd look at them.
Why would you look at 100ah when you can get 1 380ah?
Genuine question because I've seen in the past people get 6 or 8 100ah batteries and fill the basement, when they could of got just 2 400ah and take up less space, less wiring, less connections, and less batteries to go bad and have to monitor?
 
Why would you look at 100ah when you can get 1 380ah?
Genuine question because I've seen in the past people get 6 or 8 100ah batteries and fill the basement, when they could of got just 2 400ah and take up less space, less wiring, less connections, and less batteries to go bad and have to monitor?
Agreed in principle, but the OP doesn't boondock, so a 100 Ah may suit his needs.
 
All good info. I would suggest 200+ AH so it can handle long drive days and a couple overnights. That way you have some cushion. But you could start with one and add another if you decide to later.

It doesn't really matter if you buy multiple smaller (100AH) batteries, or one larger battery. Larger saves space and less wire. But since you already have two batteries, then you will likely find it is cheaper to buy two 100AH vs one 206AH for example. SOK, LiTime, and Epoch are all good options and in similar price range these days. They aren't on the cheapest end where you need to confirm things like low temp cutoff are included and actually work (just as an example). Plenty of options out there...good luck!
 
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Good day everyone,
It's time to upgrade my batteries. We own a 2018 GD reflection 311BHS FW. The batteries I removed for winter storage are original and don't charge fully anymore.
Batteries and anything electrical is Greek to me so looking for some help.
Sounds like Lithium is the way to go these days. We had 2-100AH lead acid batteries, and assume I need to replace with the same?
We don't boondock, but we do spend nights at Walmart's and Bass Pro's etc. so would need power for those occasions.
I'd like to take advantage of some cyber Monday deals. I've been lurking on Renogy's website, but it's very overwhelming.
I just don't know what to buy and don't want to overspend on things I don't need.
Thank you in advance.

Kyle
I recently replaced my AGM 70 AH batteries with new Renogy Mini Core 100 AH batteries. These are Lithium Iron Phosphate and are so light and small it's hard to believe they are batteries. They were on sale (I believe they still are) for $249. They have gotten so competitive that it's hard not to justify Lithium and we don't boon dock hardly at all. I went with Renogy over others as their customer service is in California and not China or elsewhere. You many need to upgrade your converter but that is easy peasy.
 
Do you have a shunt style battery monitor so you know how much of what you had (Ah) that you are using? If not, consider getting a Bluetooth battery. It is not as accurate as a shunt but it is a reasonable way to monitor your batteries.

I take it that you do not have a 12V only (vs gas/120V) refrigerator or an inverter.
 
Good day everyone,
It's time to upgrade my batteries. We own a 2018 GD reflection 311BHS FW. The batteries I removed for winter storage are original and don't charge fully anymore.
Batteries and anything electrical is Greek to me so looking for some help.
Sounds like Lithium is the way to go these days. We had 2-100AH lead acid batteries, and assume I need to replace with the same?
We don't boondock, but we do spend nights at Walmart's and Bass Pro's etc. so would need power for those occasions.
I'd like to take advantage of some cyber Monday deals. I've been lurking on Renogy's website, but it's very overwhelming.
I just don't know what to buy and don't want to overspend on things I don't need.
Thank you in advance.

Kyle
You will like lithium alot better and could honestly replace your (2) batteries with a single 100ah lithium and have the same capacity. Save weight and cost. You also wont need the battery box ubiquitous with LA batteries.

Be aware: your converter needs to support lithium batteries! The charge scheme is different and a LA only converter will not work.

Look up "Will Prowse" on YT, he has a huge amount of testing on Lithium batteries, specifically the video.

"$155 "WattCycle" LiFePO4 Budget Battery Tested! Is it a Scam?!"

Will is great and owns/moderates the DIY Solar forum, truly phenomenal source for info.
I would like the video here, but I dont know if thats allowed.


Good luck!
 
If you're not going to go with Lithium, you can try putting 2 6v golf cart batteries in series. They have great capacity and longer life cycle than 12 v deep cycle (marine/rv) batteries.
 
Good day everyone,
It's time to upgrade my batteries. We own a 2018 GD reflection 311BHS FW. The batteries I removed for winter storage are original and don't charge fully anymore.
Batteries and anything electrical is Greek to me so looking for some help.
Sounds like Lithium is the way to go these days. We had 2-100AH lead acid batteries, and assume I need to replace with the same?
We don't boondock, but we do spend nights at Walmart's and Bass Pro's etc. so would need power for those occasions.
I'd like to take advantage of some cyber Monday deals. I've been lurking on Renogy's website, but it's very overwhelming.
I just don't know what to buy and don't want to overspend on things I don't need.
Thank you in advance.

Kyle
I just ordered two LiTime 100AH LiFEPO4 batteries for $406 which included sales tax and shipping. The only downside is if you have a WFCO Power Center you will probably need to contact them for a mod in order for it to correctly charge your Lithium battery. Also, if you have solar on your GD and a Furrion MPPT Charge Controller you will need to get that replaced, as it will keep dropping out of Lithium charging mode into Lead Acid mode every night. I talked to Lippert (own Furrion) and they would not honor the warranty since I am not the original buyer of the trailer. So I have some work to do and money to spend to straighten things out.
 
You also wont need the battery box ubiquitous with LA batteries.
LiFePo batteries can just sit on a tray on your tongue ? I've been planning on (when I swap over) getting a nice heavy duty tool box (just to keep them relatively safe from walking off)....
 
Here is one example for securing those LiFePO4 batteries, RV Lockbox | Secure, Weather-Proof, Portable Storage Locker | Buy Online but it is pricey, I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.
Thanks for the link ! I've been struggling with figuring out if a 48x15x15 would fit (more importantly, open) behind my propane tanks. Their design with the 'slide out' top is perfect. I sent them a note asking about a longer box (the batteries I'm looking at are 20.5in long and I want two).

EDIT: they replied "they don't make custom boxes and all they have is what is on their site". I guess that means no. lol

Have you seen a box with a similar sliding lid anywhere else ? I can certainly make something nearly as sturdy out of marine grade plywood if have to... But would rather not.
 
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Good day everyone,
It's time to upgrade my batteries. We own a 2018 GD reflection 311BHS FW. The batteries I removed for winter storage are original and don't charge fully anymore.
Batteries and anything electrical is Greek to me so looking for some help.
Sounds like Lithium is the way to go these days. We had 2-100AH lead acid batteries, and assume I need to replace with the same?
We don't boondock, but we do spend nights at Walmart's and Bass Pro's etc. so would need power for those occasions.
I'd like to take advantage of some cyber Monday deals. I've been lurking on Renogy's website, but it's very overwhelming.
I just don't know what to buy and don't want to overspend on things I don't need.
Thank you in advance.

Kyle
Just saw this battery reviewed a few days ago by big truck big rv. Maybe more than you need but not a bad price considering its a 300ah lithium battery by Wattcycle. Check it out...
 
It is a myth that a lead acid converter will not work for Lithium batteries. A converter that is not for Lithium batteries will work fine, you will just only get the battery to about 80% full. The lithium battery will completely charge while the converter is in bulk mode. It will stay full when the converter moves to absorption mode but when the converter switches to float mode (13.2V) the battery will drain down to ~80%. If you don't boondock you don't really need a full battery so you can go without changing the converter. If you want to have a full battery, you'll need to get a lithium converter. So you can chose to get a Lithium charger or just buy 25% more battery for you stays in parking lots.
 
It is a myth that a lead acid converter will not work for Lithium batteries. A converter that is not for Lithium batteries will work fine, you will just only get the battery to about 80% full. The lithium battery will completely charge while the converter is in bulk mode. It will stay full when the converter moves to absorption mode but when the converter switches to float mode (13.2V) the battery will drain down to ~80%. If you don't boondock you don't really need a full battery so you can go without changing the converter. If you want to have a full battery, you'll need to get a lithium converter. So you can chose to get a Lithium charger or just buy 25% more battery for you stays in parking lots.
By the way, I figured out a trick to leave with a full Lithium battery with a WFCO non-Lithium converter. Pull the plug on the converter less than 48 hours before you leave, then plug it back in and the converter will go back through the bulk/absorption phase. The non-Lithium charger will stay in bulk/absorption mode for 48 hours, so if you then pull shore power to leave in less than 48 hours from the time you plugged it back in, you can leave with a full battery.
 
Your getting a lot of good feedback. But as you said anything electrical is greek to you, well there are lots of people here that could lead you through the upgrade process, what to do, what to get, how to do it. Just for the swap I would say just keep the upgrade simple.

We switched to a LifePro battery in spring 2024 after our Lead acid was 5 years old and now I don't have to think about checking the battery water level anymore or venting. AGM you wouldn't have to check either, but I would say look at the cost of an AGM Vs LifePro and you may find they are @ the same price, depending on brand. But then again look at how much further you could use (discharge) a LifePro than an AGM without hurting it. It's also nice that I can monitor the LifePro battery through its Bluetooth app. You could do the same thing if using a battery shunt on the negative cable of the battery.

Being honest about a LifePro battery, the one drawback I see in using a LifePro battery is, the battery must stay above 32 * to recharge it. That is easily fixed by getting a battery that has internal heating or get a battery warmer (pad/blanket) to wrap around the battery to keep it warm.

Yup if you have a 12V only compressor style fridge it will use up a lot of battery power when traveling or boondocking for an overnight. Maybe a bigger LifePro would work better in that case.

Now our converter is a WFCO but is LifePro capable. It will charge our new battery to 99-100 %. But we also have a better LifePro only multistate charger for faster charging (more amps) and it can recharge the LifePro in less than 1/2 the time the WFCO takes.

Right now - My thinking, our new LifePro has worked so well this past year, and I like it so much better, I went ahead and bought a second one. Who knows what we may face with grid power failures, 12V fridge battery usage while traveling, maybe prolonged boondocking etc. An increased safety net so to speak.
But I don't know what will happen with the price of the LifePro batteries this year with most LifePro batteries being made in china. Right now good ones are @ $200-250 or so. What will they be later this year? I don't know, so I got a second one now. Of course Battleborn brand, US made are always expensive.

Good luck with your decision, the experts (not me) here are always willing to help !
 
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Good day everyone,
It's time to upgrade my batteries. We own a 2018 GD reflection 311BHS FW. The batteries I removed for winter storage are original and don't charge fully anymore.
Batteries and anything electrical is Greek to me so looking for some help.
Sounds like Lithium is the way to go these days. We had 2-100AH lead acid batteries, and assume I need to replace with the same?
We don't boondock, but we do spend nights at Walmart's and Bass Pro's etc. so would need power for those occasions.
I'd like to take advantage of some cyber Monday deals. I've been lurking on Renogy's website, but it's very overwhelming.
I just don't know what to buy and don't want to overspend on things I don't need.
Thank you in advance.

Kyle
I personally like idea of removing batteries during storage or better to just remove when not in use, as they much prefer being stored in temperatures that your body likes. Sure, they can work and be stored in higher and a lot lower temperatures but is does affect battery longevity and capacity. Will this matter a lot with most campers that lightly use their batteries, no one knows. It is not wrong to leave them in place, just a choice with unknown trade-offs. When removed, there is less risk of accidentally not fully shutting off power (and damaging battery, even with low voltage shut-off in BMS)) and they are easier to monitor health at home.

Removing two 100Ah LFP is easier than one large battery, from a weight standpoint, but a 200/230Ah LFP likely is lighter than what you are dealing with now. Either way works. If one 100Ah battery covers your needs, all the better.

Avoid adding external heaters unless you are sure you need them. Doing it safely and properly is no small thing.
 
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