Question Replacing house batteries

[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.

 

[punkinhead]

Now, where to peddle the battery tray and 8 flooded 6v is going to be the next thing.

I got $74 for my 8 flooded batteries at the local metal recycler. I haven't figured out what to do with the tray yet - it'll probably go to the metal recycler too. It's too big to store and I can't think of how I'd repurpose it. I know for sure it will never go back into the coach. It's nice getting an entire new basement bay for storage. The conversion to lithium also got rid of over 400 lbs between the batteries and tray.

 

[lostinfla]

BTW, anyone using flooded Interstate 6v, I have a Flo Rite filter system that will handle up to 8 batteries that I'll part with.