Initial thoughts on LifePO4 (Lithium) battery conversion in my 2017 Newmar Ventana

[Richpatty]

Also to be considered… how long to you expect to keep your Ventessex?
If not so long, maybe less AH or get AGM…

 

[Rich W.]

Also to be considered… how long to you expect to keep your Ventessex?
If not so long, maybe less AH or get AGM…

Another important consideration and one of the reasons I have held off converting my coach to lithium batteries.

 

[Neal]

Also to be considered… how long to you expect to keep your Ventessex?
If not so long, maybe less AH or get AGM…

At this moment in time I'm keeping it for the long haul. Hence why I replaced TV's and ran upgraded wires, etc. in that this coach is perfect for me. With Newmar's price hikes and quality issues among the economy etc. I don't see a new coach in the near term. My next coach would likely be luxury line such as MA or LA but it would need to be on a FL chassis (let's not go there) but that's my requirement. With that said my mindset is to continue to make my current coach amazing, to me, and keep going the places it takes me. I do have a desire to disconnect (go off grid) and approach near full timing, if not full timing completely but also continue to learn. Much of what I've done in this coach has been about learning including solar so the LifePO4's would go under that learning theme. I wouldn't mind reducing weight and improving storage by taking better advantage of the battery compartment.

 

[Neal]

I'm not sure my house batteries are needing to be replaced. That's first and foremost, it's just been too hot to pull the plug at night here in Hot Springs, AR. I need to do another test and use the BMV-712 to see what my draws are. The time recently that got my attention was actually correct per the 31A continuous draw going on. I use the pro fill battery watering system which may have helped maintain these batteries but the battery bay is corroded as you know and that would be nice to stop, but this all may be for a year from now.

 

[B52Bombardier1]

At least for the one Lithium Iron Phosphate battery that I have here in an indoor amateur radio solar power project, my research indicated that it can be used below 32 degrees F but cannot be recharged below that freezing temperature. This is no problem here with the battery in the house but for an outdoor application, my LiFePO4 battery would need a smart enough charge controller with a battery box temperature probe to avoid damaging the battery during freezing temperatures.

Rick

 

[Neal]

Battleborn has a BMS in the GC3 to prevent damage, etc. Certainly keeping within params is still something to pay attention to in both building the battery bay as well as use in the field. I've RV'd in both extremes.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Some batteries have built-in heaters to avoid the cold charging issue.
Or you can put an electric heat wrap around the battery that is triggered to heat when temps fall below 40f.

 

[Neal]

Nice articles by Tito:

RV Electrical System - RV With Tito

Does your RV electrical system confuse or scare you? Learn about your RV's electrical components plus upgrades upgrades to improve your camping experience while boondocking or connected to at an RV park.

www.rvwithtito.com

 

[Neal]

It appears 3 x GC3's would fit in the existing battery slideout tray. I'm not sure if LifePO4's have to be enclosed but for winter I could see an enclosure that would go over top of them to box them in. Or create a box with the lid off for summer, install it for winter. The alternative is obviously gut and build a completely new compartment and that's fine, but it's interesting the slider could still be used if desired.

 

[Richpatty]

True… my main reason to remove the tray was so I could properly insulate the compartment…. But your alternatives would work too.

 

[DHudson]

This guy has a great channel for lithium batteries'

https://www.youtube.com/c/WillProwse/videos

 

[Neal]

Obviously we make this a form of art when we take on these projects. I don't know the requirements but just thinking through various options.

This could really be quite a simple drop in replacement. Put 3 x GC3's (or 2) in the battery tray with a 3/4 inch plywood floor for insulation. Bus bar connect them and then connect the inverter as before to the positive on one end, the shunt off the other end and bam, you have your battery bank. Replace the BIM and update your settings.

My main concern is heat. These compartments get super hot in the summer so leaving them open to ventilate in an open bay seems beneficial. For winter camping have an enclosure and possibly a heat source. Enclosure could be simply 3/4" plywood or even something with insulation of some type.

I'd probably go with the smart shunt but even my current setup gives me battery temp.

This bay is a path from outside in to the basement for various wires and maybe even some active air stuff, I have to review so enclosing it all may add some complexity.

But again, yeah, it's a form of art (OCD) so building out a basement with Newmar's carpet used in the basement is my desire. Bringing in the solar would be nice too but there is also the side that goes for simple and also an option if ever needed to revert to AGM's.

Thinking out loud.

Thanks @DHudson - I'll review and also keep looking for more blog/vlogs to keep learning from. I still may be a year out from this project, my batteries look great and I'll be evaluating their health again soon with a boondocking night test and see where I am. I don't want to replace batteries that may be working perfectly as is.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Another great install is this one by Mike Mas

 

[Rich W.]

True… my main reason to remove the tray was so I could properly insulate the compartment…. But your alternatives would work too.

I still want your old tray if you still have it - just havent made it out your way yet, but maybe in 2023. You’re not that far from a lot of famoly and now my daughter and 3 or 4 of the GKs might be headed to Mooresville.

 

[Richpatty]

Sure thing. I still have the tray. Not sure it’s going anywhere.

 

[DHudson]

Here is another possibility on batteries. Will test these in one of his videos. They are medical "takeoff" batteries that have to be replace every so often regardless of life left. VERY good value.

Valence U1-12RT 12.8v 40Ah Lithium Iron Magnesium Phosphate Battery LiFePO4: Search Result | eBay

Buy and sell electronics, cars, fashion apparel, collectibles, sporting goods, digital cameras, baby items, coupons, and everything else on eBay, the world's online marketplace

www.ebay.com

 

[Neal]

Battleborn called me today while on my drive to the next stop, was nice chatting with them and getting details pinned down. They now have a heated GC3, it's a little more money but solves the problem of cold weather camping. Still needs an enclosure as it's not going to heat enough for an outdoor/exposed battery. But something I'd probably consider.

270Ah 12V GC3 LiFePO4 Heated Battery Kit

This 270Ah 12V Heated GC3 LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery by Battle Born Batteries delivers superior and long-lasting performance!

battlebornbatteries.com

 

[Neal]

It's interesting when you start educating on LifePO4 batteries all kinds of vendors popup. Last night this brand popped up in my YouTube feed. Seems like many are possibly rebranding the same internal battery? Is this getting like Bose where you're buying a name and not the battery? Is there that much difference in a LifePO4 battery internally?

Redodo Power 12.8V Lithium Battery Series

More powerful, long lasting, well-priced, best lithium batteries for rvs, camping, off-grid living, solar cabin, etc. shop now!

www.redodopower.com

 

[Neal]

When I spoke with Battleborn he mentioned there may be an issue with the Magnum controller doing a proper rebulk. If there are issues he recommended the Victron Multiplus ii inverter, about $1500. But you'd need a control panel (or just use bluetooth) and then AGS may need to be rewired and if so it should be done by a certified installer. I'd certainly try the magnum first but it was interesting learning about the Victron inverter. Sure seems Victron has come a long way (or I'm just learning of their products more) on great products.

 

[Rich W.]

My Victron Multi-plus (24/3000) and Color Control GX are sitting on a shelf because I dont want to scrap out all my Magnum equipment in the Ventana and start over with Victron. The Victron equipment would allow me to use a Li-ion battery bank that is more capable and less expensive (repurposing used electric car batter modules such as Nissan Leaf) and that was fine in the Bay Star and my old Class C, but I just don’t want to alter the Ventana to that degree (removing all the Magnum stuff) so the project is on hold at least until my house batteries need replacement. But I do miss the victron equipment and enjoyed running an AC with it in the previous rigs. The ideal system would be a large Li-ion bank and a Victron 48/8000. But I think I’ve pretty much decided to just stay out of the South in the summer and when in need relegate myslef to nice RV parks.