Moving to Lithium/LiFePO4, need suggestions

[Bedelliott]

On another thread I learned that I probably need to move to a lithium solution. We have a bumper pull camper (no generator) that sits in storage so I don't have a way to charge a battery aside from bringing it inside and putting it on a charger, and of course letting it get a tad bit of juice while pulling (F-250). It looks like a 100aH battery will meet our needs if solar could add 30-50aH each day (200w system?), but I should probably double it to a 200aH battery just in case, also to get a 200a BMS which might come in handy sometime. This is all new to me so a few questions come to mind:
- on Amazon battery prices are all over the place - do you get what you pay for in terms of brands, or as is typically the case, do you unnecessarily pay a premium for name brands like Renogy, Lion Energy, etc.? Basically, are any of the cheaper brands good?
- from what I read it seems that it's crucial to charge a LiFePO4 battery correctly (correct voltage, don't over-charge, etc.), so do I need a special charge controller or do they all do it well these days? Will a charge controller (accurately) tell me how much solar generation there is as well as how full the battery is, is that standard functionality? I'm looking at this on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015DEY2TM) but aren't sure if this wouldn't be compatible or work well for what I need.
- I read that heat is not a LiFePO4 battery's friend - so if this battery is sitting on the front of a camper in those black battery boxes, in the hot summer heat does that damage the battery, or is it standard practice not to let them sit in the heat all summer?
I'll leave it at that for now, that you for any experience-based input you might have.

 

[Lou Schneider]

Will Prowse on YouTube has a few dozen videos where he purchases and then cuts apart lithium batteries and reviews their construction. Lithium batteries are becoming commodity items and almost all of the cheaper brands are remarkably good using similar components.

The main thing to look for is cold temperature charging protection - lithium batteries will continue to deliver power to well below zero degrees F but you don't want the battery trying to charge if it's internal temperature is at or below freezing.

 

[John From Detroit]

One of the reasons Battery prices are "All over the place"is false advertising.
Most all the batteries advertise things like over temp protection (most do have that)
And Under temp protection (Many do not even if they claim they do)

Also differences in quality of construction and the BMS. (Battery Management System it controls the charge and may limit the discharge rate)

Finally some have heaters for cold weather recharging.

If you are not comfortable I'd go with the KNOWN good brands like battle born or Bioeno. (If I spelled it right)

Or watch a few "Which ones are good" Videos.

 

[WanderingWheels]

On another thread I learned that I probably need to move to a lithium solution. We have a bumper pull camper (no generator) that sits in storage so I don't have a way to charge a battery aside from bringing it inside and putting it on a charger, and of course letting it get a tad bit of juice while pulling (F-250). It looks like a 100aH battery will meet our needs if solar could add 30-50aH each day (200w system?), but I should probably double it to a 200aH battery just in case, also to get a 200a BMS which might come in handy sometime. This is all new to me so a few questions come to mind:
- on Amazon battery prices are all over the place - do you get what you pay for in terms of brands, or as is typically the case, do you unnecessarily pay a premium for name brands like Renogy, Lion Energy, etc.? Basically, are any of the cheaper brands good?
- from what I read it seems that it's crucial to charge a LiFePO4 battery correctly (correct voltage, don't over-charge, etc.), so do I need a special charge controller or do they all do it well these days? Will a charge controller (accurately) tell me how much solar generation there is as well as how full the battery is, is that standard functionality? I'm looking at this on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015DEY2TM) but aren't sure if this wouldn't be compatible or work well for what I need.
- I read that heat is not a LiFePO4 battery's friend - so if this battery is sitting on the front of a camper in those black battery boxes, in the hot summer heat does that damage the battery, or is it standard practice not to let them sit in the heat all summer?
I'll leave it at that for now, that you for any experience-based input you might have.

Yes, you often get what you pay for with batteries. Brands like Renogy and Lion Energy are reputable and offer reliable products with warranties, though you can find value in some lesser-known brands. It’s important to research customer reviews and warranty offers when considering cheaper options. Here's a good resource: How to Choose the Best Battery for Your RV: The Ultimate Guide

A specific LiFePO4-compatible charge controller is necessary to ensure the correct charging voltage and to avoid overcharging. Modern controllers typically display solar input and battery charge levels, but verify before purchase.

Heat can indeed reduce the lifespan of LiFePO4 batteries. If the battery is stored in a hot environment like a sealed box on the front of a camper, consider insulating the box or choosing a placement that avoids direct sun exposure.

 

[rvlifer]

I really like my battleborns for a few reasons. I suspect some of the price difference is due to the safety features built into the batteries. Battleborns control the charging so you arent supposed to be able to overcharge them.

If faster charging is important some of the less expensive brands limit the voltage so take longer to charge.

my 2k w solar setup in full sun typically puts 75amps into the battery bank so that should help you figure out how much solar you need. Dont forget to factor in clouds and bad weather.

depending on the distance outside you might be able to use a portable solar setup outside plugged into the rv battery bank

 

[FunSteak]

I got two from Li Time. I'm very pleased with them, and the price was great. 2 x 100AH, Group 24 ran $574 together - just checked, and they are now just under $500 for the pair! Will Prowse (mentioned above) who gave them an excellent rating, and verified they perform perfectly to spec, including low-temp cutoff. HERE is his review. He reviewed the version with Bluetooth - I have the one without, as I have a Victron monitor already.

www.litime.com

HERE is the one (well, two) that I got. Couldn't be happier so far.

 

[UTTransplant]

Agree with keeping with the better known brands. We have LifeBlue, but BattleBorn, Renogy, and Lion Energy are all solid, long term suppliers. We needed cold weather charging, so that’s why we went with LifeBlue, but that isn’t true for most people’s needs. Just check what voltages the battery manufacturer recommends for charging, then find a charger that supports that. Most newer chargers handle LiFePO4 batteries just fine.

 

[garyb1st]

I have Lion Energy. The only thing I don't like are the battery posts. They're rather anemic. Suggested torque is pretty low which tells me it wouldn't take much to torque them out of the battery.

 

[WME]

Chins,Litime, Redodo are are good mid priced batteries. Epoch, Temgot make full feature upper mid batteries
12v batteries are in multiple AH ratings (100, 200, 300, 400) with/without bluetooth, and heaters. B/T and heaters add $$$. These batteries will have a proper sized BMS built-in
Basic 12v 100ah battery with low temp cut off and high current cutoff are under $200.
Bottom dweller batteries are in the under $150 range.
FYI Temgot 300ah 12v, with self heating and BT is currently $659

 

[rvlifer]

If i was doing it again i would consider these. Lower price than the ones i currently own and more power in less weight and size

Wont fit in a standard battery space but if you got the space

270Ah 12V LiFePO4 Deep Cycle GC3 Battery

We're changing the game with our 270Ah 12V LiFePO4 deep cycle battery. With its unique shape, you can mount this battery anywhere!

battlebornbatteries.com