Awesome battery solution for RVs

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HighTechLab

HighTechLab

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Joined
Mar 11, 2021
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Hey Everyone! We made a video, where we cover each step showing you how to build a battery that fits into a Group 24 battery box. This upgrades your system to Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) instead of those junk lead-acid batteries you have been using. We are content creators, and create awesome videos on topics such as Solar/Battery/Inverter/etc. We enjoy teaching people about energy independence. If you are interested in learning more about these topics, I will be posting videos on these awesome topics here on the forum. Now, Check out our video on how to build YOUR OWN 12V LFP Battery that can fit into your current battery configuration on your RV!

 
I'm not so sure it's all that stupid. Costly, up front but LI batteries are lighter in weight (less weight may mean more MPG) and last, if properly cared for, a long time or so i'm told. Hold their charge well and so on... a lot of folks are upgrading to LIxxxx batteries and loving them. I'm not (currently) on that list but. but the only reason is cost.

I will admit however the post gives me an "ADVERTIEMENT" vibe.
 
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You can save some bucks, which is a critical factor since big lithium batteries are really expensive. It's not for everybody, but some folks are inveterate DIY types.
 
I saw near the end where he mentioned using two in parallel for 340 AHs.

So what he was showing in that box must be 170 AHs. That is impressive.

-Don- Auburn, CA
 
John From Detroit said:
but the only reason is cost.
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Cost isn't that bad if we consider how long they last compared to L-A.

They sure work a lot better. Mine is hard to drain down much even when I try my best to.

I was rather surprised to find my voltage spec of 12.8 volts is for when the battery is 95% discharged. But it's unloaded fully charged voltage is closer to 13.6 or so.

-Don- Auburn, CA
 
I didn't find the BMS he used on the website. Maybe I overlooked it?
Was interested in the price of the finished battery pack.
 
Hey our goal here isn't to advertise, as I mentioned, we are content creators and really enjoy builds like this. We focus a lot on education, and have covered countless different things from our property that is totally off grid
 
From the website in the video, the finished cost is:
-- 4 battery cells at $120 each is $480
-- 1 BMS $180
-- 3 Copper Bus Bars at $8 each is $24
Misc parts, such as battery box maybe $20

Total cost about $700 for 170AH of battery.
 
If you are going to build your own battery, check out Will Prowse's video testing a set of 4 280AH lithium cells that sell for about $110 each or $433 total, plus a BMS from Amazon.
 
At $700 I can buy two rounds of six volt batteries that should last ten to twelve years. Not sure how long the lithium batteries last. Just bought two Trojan T120's two years ago. That is 240 amps and for my requirements power us pretty well. Enough to run everything but the microwave and a/c.

With LP I have heat, fridge and cook stove.

Why is it when I hear the word awesome I question if it really is. Kids need to make use of the dictionary and find other buss words rather than regurgitate an over used term.
 
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camperAL said:
Not sure how long the lithium batteries last.
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Around three times as long as your Trojans. But there are also many other advantages, such as the voltage staying up to the very end of the discharge.

Also, can be mounted in any position (even upside down) , won't corrode cables, needs no venting (place them anywhere) and are much lighter.

My new lith battery is spec'ed at 12.8 volts when 95% discharged. You won't get that type of performance from your Trojans.

The only downside is the cost. I recently paid $1,715.99 (includes tax) for my new 300 AH battery. But I was probably the very last person to pay that price. It went down in price by a couple of hundred bucks a few days after my purchase.

BTW, I used to have two 6V Trojans just like you have. But one of them shorted a cell while I was boondocked in Death Valley last November. That was when I decided to go with Lith.

-Don- Reno, NV
 
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I always wonder about the gotchas.

If it is that easy to home build a big battery while buying the parts at retail, how is it that the battery companies can’t (or won’t) offer one at a similar price point?

I get they need a profit margin (so do the component sellers) but they would own the market if they were more competitive with old school batteries.

I think there isn’t any free lunch.
 
camperAL said:
At $700 I can buy two rounds of six volt batteries that should last ten to twelve years. Not sure how long the lithium batteries last. Just bought two Trojan T120's two years ago. That is 240 amps and for my requirements power us pretty well. Enough to run everything but the microwave and a/c.

With LP I have heat, fridge and cook stove.

Why is it when I hear the word awesome I question if it really is. Kids need to make use of the dictionary and find other buss words rather than regurgitate an over used term.
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You are absolutely correct: "That is 240 amps and for my requirements power us pretty well." As long as your RV'ing style matches the type of battery you have then that is what you should use. No sense in spending more money to buy lithium.

Some people do a lot of dry camping or boondocking and are not able to (or don't want to run their generator for 6-8 hours) get their batteries back up to 100% full on a regular (i.e. every 4-7 days) basis. Doing this 10-20 times a year you will find a lead acid battery will loose significant amount of capacity. Other advantages to lithium as well.
 
Hi AL (nice name),

We have boondocked with that configuration for two weeks and can go a day or day and a half. Then you need to run the generator for two three hours with the charger I have. Takes about three or four hours to fully charge my system but don't worry about charging it that far. 90% is plenty to get by for the next day or day and a half.

The catch is if it gets hot then you have to run the generator. Sometimes we run it just long enough to nuke something in the microwave. Best!
 
Rob&Deryl said:
I always wonder about the gotchas.

If it is that easy to home build a big battery while buying the parts at retail, how is it that the battery companies can’t (or won’t) offer one at a similar price point?
Click to expand...
You're paying for the warranty and convenience. I bought a pair of Lion Safari UT1300s from Costco for about 60% more per amp-hour compared to home brew components ($1400 for 210 a/h). But the Lions came with a lifetime replacement warranty and are guaranteed to have at least 80% of their rated capacity remaining after 10 years.

I did something similar with lead-acid starting batteries. Walmart sells Value Start batteries with a 1 year warranty for $50. They're made by the same company (Johnson Controls) that make their other batteries costing 2-3 times as much with 2 or 3 year warranties. The only difference I could see is the 1 year batteries have about 90% of the CCA rating as the 3 year batteries and weigh correspondingly less. 3 years ago I put Value Start batteries in my toad and the motorhome I had then and they're still doing fine. My new-to-me motorhome got one 6 months ago and it's likewise doing great.
 
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