- Joined
- Jul 27, 2019
- Messages
- 12,907
- Location
- Midlothian, VA
- RV Year
- 2017
- RV Make
- Newmar
- RV Model
- Ventana 4037
- RV Length
- 40' 10"
- Chassis
- Freightliner XCR
- Engine
- Cummins 400 HP
- TOW/TOAD
- 2017 Chevy Colorado
- Fulltimer
- No
I've been thinking through Lithium, if my house batteries are due for a change out which I'm not sure they are yet, but the gears are turning as to what I'd do. After seeing a recent YouTube video from RVing with Tito on his comment of having too much battery but also that he chose the Battleborn 270 aH GC3's. Very interesting idea in seeing his setup.
First off, sizing Lithium batteries. The common item mentioned by those with Lithium's is they installed too much. I believe this is due to the fact you can use 100% of your Lithium battery available and if you're using FLA or AGM then you're stopped at 50%. So for me in my current setup I have 8 batteries with 900 aH. That puts me at 450 aH if I understand this correct. So when buying LifePO4's buying the necessary aH's based on 100% availability needs to be sized in. Obviously your use and desired duration on battery plays in as well, I'm just comparing a replacement of existing aH's.
With that said I can see converting my battery bay into a typical basement with only a portion of it being batteries (and solar) now and getting more space if designed properly for other storage (DI rinse, air compressor, 120V cord reel, whatever).
My thoughts are installing 2 x Battleborn GC3's which would give me 540 usable aH's. More than I have now. Plenty of space to add capacity if needed. But my plan would be to stack the two, assuming I have the space for them to fit which I believe I do, in the aft part of the compartment to keep weight aft. Before I go buying too much Lithium I would want to see how this aH works. Yeah, I'm a man of excess with everything, being responsible on this design is key.
battlebornbatteries.com
Sticking with the Magnum inverter and solar components, may improve some Victron items as needed for LifePO4 but trying to keep this simple. With only two batteries I "assume" the wiring of the two in series would be straight-forward.
For the battery guru's, let me know your thoughts.
First off, sizing Lithium batteries. The common item mentioned by those with Lithium's is they installed too much. I believe this is due to the fact you can use 100% of your Lithium battery available and if you're using FLA or AGM then you're stopped at 50%. So for me in my current setup I have 8 batteries with 900 aH. That puts me at 450 aH if I understand this correct. So when buying LifePO4's buying the necessary aH's based on 100% availability needs to be sized in. Obviously your use and desired duration on battery plays in as well, I'm just comparing a replacement of existing aH's.
With that said I can see converting my battery bay into a typical basement with only a portion of it being batteries (and solar) now and getting more space if designed properly for other storage (DI rinse, air compressor, 120V cord reel, whatever).
My thoughts are installing 2 x Battleborn GC3's which would give me 540 usable aH's. More than I have now. Plenty of space to add capacity if needed. But my plan would be to stack the two, assuming I have the space for them to fit which I believe I do, in the aft part of the compartment to keep weight aft. Before I go buying too much Lithium I would want to see how this aH works. Yeah, I'm a man of excess with everything, being responsible on this design is key.

270Ah 12V LiFePO4 Deep Cycle GC3 Battery
We're changing the game with our 270Ah 12V LiFePO4 deep cycle battery. With its unique shape, you can mount this battery anywhere!

Sticking with the Magnum inverter and solar components, may improve some Victron items as needed for LifePO4 but trying to keep this simple. With only two batteries I "assume" the wiring of the two in series would be straight-forward.
For the battery guru's, let me know your thoughts.