Question Replacing house batteries

[Retired1]

Thanks Neal! I will look into the shunt. I took my Xantrax invertor out and had it gone through by a Xantrax shop and he was the one that first told me that the AGS only looks for voltage. So then called Silver Leaf and they confirmed that the AGS would no longer work with the Lithiums,

 

[lostinfla]

I already have the shunt and the upgraded panel to see SOC and I'm assuming it will readout with the new battery. I'm ashamed to say I have no idea where the BIM is located. Any direction there??

 

[Neal]

That may be the case depending on your setup. As I switched to Victron I have a custom solution designed by the installer of my setup, Solar Energy Systems. It probably depends on the components used and that should be checked but in @lostinfla's case with Magnum I think his Magnum AGS unit still works as it's tied to the inverter.

 

[Neal]

I already have the shunt and the upgraded panel to see SOC and I'm assuming it will readout with the new battery. I'm ashamed to say I have no idea where the BIM is located. Any direction there??

Behind the shore power reel on the wall.

 

[lostinfla]

So, in conclusion, with the inverter and control panel compatible with lithium, and the new LiBIM installed, I should have no problems with the alternator. Are there any other potential modifications / problems I should look for?

 

[Neal]

Well, there are a few concerns you need to be aware of:

1. You'll no longer have to worry about low voltages or voltage spikes
2. You won't have to worry about getting near 50% and killing your batteries
3. You'll have to deal with increased storage and have to figure out where you put things
4. When boondocking such as at the balloon fiesta or a harvest host your GEN will charge significantly faster than those around you so you'll be annoyed by their GEN running while you have peace and quiet
5. You can have krispy kreme again since the battery weight is significantly reduced, don't share with neighbors, they have heavy batteries, be thoughtful...
6. You won't have to deal with batteries for around 10 years so you'll need to find a new hobby, or grill, or cook

That should about cover it. Did I miss anything Lithium friends?

 

[punkinhead]

That should about cover it. Did I miss anything Lithium friends?

Since lithium doesn't significantly self discharge during storage you'll have to find something else to fret about if your rig is stored in a place without hookups.

 

[lostinfla]

Well, going from "I really don't need lithium" to "I have all the stuff on order now" didn't take long. I'll get some pics of the conversion when I finally get around to doing it. Thanks all for the info and prodding!

 

[Neal]

@GlampDaddy needs lithium now. True.

 

[punkinhead]

As far as shunts go, I decided to hold off on installing one when I did my lithium conversion last month. We're three weeks into our first trip since conversion and I'm finding that occasionally checking SOC on my phone using Bluetooth from the batteries is working just fine. I don't feel the need for a separate display.

 

[GlampDaddy]

@GlampDaddy needs lithium now. True.

Hmmmm. Let’s see… new BR slide floor or replace new AGMs with lithium batteries. I’ll have to think about that for a second.

 

[Neal]

Oh no. @Chuggs is at Newmar now getting that done.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I’m not sure if you really half to seal it unless you’re going to use the Rv in extreme temps or the battery compartment is vulnerable to debris. I did do mine with thin metal sheets I could bend by hand and self tapping sheet metal screws.

People are always asking me if I would want to refurbished this, that, or the other thing. A neighbor just dropped off a couple failed 2019 battle born batteries.

So this is the conclusion, and findings.

This person seldom boondocks

The batteries were in an un hermetically sealed battery box.

One battery had serious corrosion to the point the BMS had traces on the board completely corroded through. Both had cells that were no longer connected due to corroded end plates.

Both had cells sitting in water.

The battery box that contained them was completely dry with no signs of water in the past.

The seams lacked a full glue seal. I have been hearing about the quality of this brand, however, the seal allows for humidity to make its way into the battery.

My conclusion is the water was condensation, without a way to remove it. The owner was lucky, the batteries only failed, it could have been much worse.

The only way I can see to prevent this from happening, is to have a hermetically sealed battery box. Fill the box around the batteries with a desiccant. And have a drain valve in the bottom of the box.

To close! This may sound like overkill, but, 100% sample of a highly respected brand was faulty regarding water ingress. I would like to believe that ultrasonic welding was used in the assembly of these batteries, but no! And glue seams don't cut it!!!

So install your lithium if you must, but at least have a well designed box for them.

 

[mhbell]

Unless your converter is set up for lithium, it will only charge the Lifepo4 to 80 percent. So you need to consider the cost of replacing the converter. Same fo your alternator you will need a batter isolator or a DC to DC charger. Learned this the hard way.

 

[lostinfla]

My inverter is Lithium capable, and I just received the LiBIM today. 460a Epoch battery is on the way. (I may add another later on) I'll start buying the supplies for sealing up the box tomorrow. Not going to start this project till I have all the items in my hands. I have a good idea of what I have to do as far as partially sealing up the present bin. At least the temps are cooperating. I'll probably have to kill all the power for a couple days. Now, where to peddle the battery tray and 8 flooded 6v is going to be the next thing.