It is time...for new house batteries! Likely LiFePO4 - calling all DIYers

[Joe Dutchstar]

Yes the Magnum will work, used a Hybrid 3000w unit on the CanyonStar with LiFePo, and solar. The Inverter was tied to Victron components to manage solar charging LiFePo batteries.

If I had it to do over I would have sprung for the Vitron which has better software and designed to manage solar and LiFePo. Also, Vitron techs are up on latest battery, solar tech. In my experience, several years old now, the Magnum techs will tell you generic settings and little more.

 

[Neal]

Now the question is 2 vs 3 GC3’s (270 ah) as I could gain some nice storage space in this bay if only 2. I currently carry jack pads and all fluids in this bay on right and left sides of the battery tray. The tray will come out and carpeted wood panels installed to make a nice bay.

Need to break out my Fusion 360 and start designing a plan.

 

[Rich W.]

If you seal up your battery compartment you could heat it with something like this:

ThermoSoft In Floor Heating System, 120V, 7.5 Sqft, 1.5 ft. x 5 ft​

Thermostat controlled and $61 on Amazon.

 

[Neal]

If you seal up your battery compartment you could heat it with something like this:

ThermoSoft In Floor Heating System, 120V, 7.5 Sqft, 1.5 ft. x 5 ft​

Thermostat controlled and $61 on Amazon.

Link? What powers it?

 

[Rich W.]

Amazon product ASIN B0749R9BDC
120v, .5 amp. I’m sure its less efficient but might be more economical and if you set the t-stat low, it would almost never be on. Depends on the additional cost of heated batteries and the temp range needed.

 

[Neal]

I don’t intend to touch the inverter but it’s a good heat source itself. If only this was in the battery bay.

 

[Richpatty]

Agreed! But would be a problem in the summer months…. It generates a lot of heat.

 

[Rich W.]

Agreed! But would be a problem in the summer months…. It generates a lot of heat.

My Victron inverter (24/3000) and Li-ion bank were in the same space in my last two coaches and I installed a cooling fan ducted to the outside with a temp sensor (out of a Fan-tastic Fan) and variable control. But it was another set of complications and I’d rather keep things simple these days.

 

[Richpatty]

My Victron inverter and Li-ion bank were in the same space in my last two coaches and I installed a cooling fan ducted to the outside with a temp sensor (out of a Fan-tastic Fan) and variable control. But it was another set of complications and I’d rather keep things simple these days.

If I hold onto my rig, I plan to put in a vent in the basement…. I like the idea of using a fantastic fan control….

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

This is what the CanyonStar install looked like.

 

[Rich W.]

Then there are these Neil - also 270ah, but a little less expensive. Guess it really depends on the dimensions of you battery space. Two of these will fit in the same space as 6 GC2s - almost like they planned it that way.

270Ah 12V LiFePO4 Deep Cycle 8D Battery

The BB8D is a lithium 12V deep cycle 8D 270Ah battery and weighs 81 lbs. With the BB8D, the switch to lithium has never been easier.

battlebornbatteries.com

 

[Neal]

If I hold onto my rig, I plan to put in a vent in the basement…. I like the idea of using a fantastic fan control….

Electronics AFAIK are designed to handle the heat, run hot, etc. it’s uncomfortable for us and probably to accept but things like this, pepwaves etc get very hot.

 

[Rich W.]

Electronics AFAIK are designed to handle the heat, run hot, etc. it’s uncomfortable for us and probably to accept but things like this, pepwaves etc get very hot.

Even my Starlink router gets pretty hot. I don’t know how much power it uses (guess I could look it up) but with my house batteries failing I started turning off the inverter at bedtime because that and the fridge are too much for it now. My next trip is an extended stay at a park down south so I won’t need to replace my batteries until next spring, but when I do, it will probably be two BB 8Ds.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

If the heat circuit can be set for temperature, then I would go heated!!!

Why you ask? Well battleborn takes on some of the liability should their heating system destroy your batteries.

On the inverter I would ask them if there would be warranty issues using what you already have installed.

 

[Neal]

For reference only, @Richpatty's thread:

Move to Lithium

Probably 2/0 then…. :) You can never go to heavy…

rvforums.com