Self heating?? I did not know there was such a thing. I did hear that lithium batteries should not be charged in below freezing temps, so I thought that they have to be removed in the winter. Is that not true? Would you have a recommendation? I mainly picked this cause I saw good reviews, and the additional 30 Ah over a 200 ah. 

This was my review search 

https://www.bestproductsreviews.com/lifepo4-lithium-batteries?targetid=dsa-19959388920&matchtype=&device=c&campaignid=14938899091&creative=552785546059&adgroupid=131352087307&feeditemid=&loc_physical_ms=9001778&loc_interest_ms=&network=g&devicemodel=&placement=&keyword=$&target=&aceid=&adposition=&trackid=us_all_top_1_1&mId=407-132-4411&trackOld=true&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuNemBhCBARIsADp74QSj0Tb0ZmwTm4Rjt6tjRtl8U0OGFMmU3rkihtkkbCPBIdSZPpmX6GYaApSQEALw_wcB

    

Where's Offgrid when you need him!

There is no disputing your good fortune, Jato. That charmed 12 year old LA battery is legendary. Maybe it should have its own Facebook page 

Last I looked, the lead acid battery was not the poster child of the environmental movement. All that aside, however, while an LA battery is a good, economical alternative in some applications, the LI batteries wins the award for ease of use and overall performance across the board. Add to that the ever decreasing footprint for the same amp/hr output at less than 50% weight, and the ability to securely place the batteries in the coach and the LI battery is the hands down winner for versatility and value.

Going through battery expense so far after 12 years, I cannot justify the cost of lithium when looking at what has been spent so far with the old LA batteries, especially when looking at the expense of producing lithium and at the limited rare earth minerals needed to produce them.

3/2011  purchased 2 12v Interstate batteries (deep cycle) @ $ 50 each   total $ 100

8/2020 retired 1 original of the above and replaced with

           Trojan T-1275 which gives 165 AH (incl. core exchange)               total  $ 210

Grand total spent after 12 years service ($ 310.00) which figures out to a yearly expense after 12 years of $ 25.83/year.   I suppose I could add a gallon of distilled water but seeing that it came from my de-humidifier, cost on that was about nil, except for the electricity needed to pull it out of my damp basement. Also didn't include the yearly twice a year cost when they are given a 24 hour 2 amp trickle charge just before storing for winter.

 

      

I feel kinda stupid now. No actually I feel very stupid. My surveyor already can support lithium batts. It's an auto detect system for whatever type of batt you install. I had no idea till I saw your comment, and I went and took a look. I would have thought my service guy might have mentioned that when I had a conversation about batts with him. 

Considering that a LiFePO4 battery can last 10+ years, and can be drained below 50% without damaging it plus other advantages such as weight savings, the cost isn't as steep as you think. Yes, the battery costs more than the typical Pb-acid battery, but over the lifetime, you will likely need to replace the Pb-acid battery/batteries multiple times while you would still be using the LiFePO4 battery. LiFePO4 batteries also charge quicker. They don't need a float charge and the have a very slow self-discharge rate. 

The expenses other than the battery are the converter upgrade (if needed), and a DC to DC charger since your tow vehicle likely won't charge the battery as you are driving. This is because the newer "smart" alternator control circuits think the TV battery is charged and reduce the output to save gas. The trailer battery supplies what the TV needs so you arrive with the trailer battery partly discharged. I set up a separate charge circuit with a battery isolation solenoid for the TV that can feed a circuit connected to the DC to DC charger which then charges the LiFePO4 battery. The Grey Wolf came with solar, but it has a cheap PWM charge controller. I purchased a Renogy MPPT controller which will let me connect the TV power in addition to the solar panels. That means that I won't need the Renogy 20A DC to DC charger that I had been using in the RPod either. The last thing you would want would be useful even if you stayed with Pb-acid batteries. That is a way to monitor state of charge. The one I have mounts a shunt through which the negative terminal is connected. It drives a meter that shows voltage, amps in/out, and percentage of charge. It is much better than the "idiot" light gauge that was in the RPod. There is some wiring that will be needed, both for the TV and the trailer if you were to duplicate what I did. However, you may be able to skip the TV part and use the power from the 7-way if your TV cuts that power when the engine is off. You could disconnect the wire from the 7-way on the trailer end and connect up a wire to a DC to DC charger instead. You can't just connect the DC to DC charger into the trailer's existing wiring for supply because then it would be like trying to use the battery power to charge the battery. It just doesn't work.

I detailed the installation in my mods. I removed that equipment and the only things I will be using for the Grey Wolf are the 200 AH LiFePO4 battery and the monitor.

Anyway, I hope that is helpful.

Hey did you ever get your hughes autoformer installed in your new unit? I got mine done, but had to add a power watchdog to it so I could monitor the power thru bluetooth, My autoformer in behind my converter, under the fridge and unseeable. 

Originally posted by Pod People So, good for you.  I think you have made a wise move going to the GC2's. the fact they they are not maintenance free is NOT a big deal. Just check the water levels and fill with distilled water occasionally.  I try to check once a month, but honestly in almost 2.5 years, I have added a small amount of water only once.  I have cleaned the terminals with baking soda and a stiff brush and check connections for tightness. Travel safe and often Vann

Yes, Yes, maintenance is key for battery longevity!  I do this as well, keep terminals clean with baking soda and check water levels; pretty easy.  Even during the winter here in northern Michigan both batteries had water levels checked and were given a 24 hour 2 amp trickle charge on Nov. 1 and 2 last year.  After that they were placed directly on a concrete floor in an unheated garage where they remain now.  Once/month their voltage level is checked with a multi meter.  As of yesterday the Interstate reads 12.61v and the Trojan is at 12.68v.  As we boondock often, voltage is checked daily, when battery reads 12.2v it is swapped for the other 'fully charged' battery.

I agree with Jato.  We have used 2 6v GC2 batteries for the last 5-6 years with good success. We initially bought them from Sam's club because we thought that as we traveled we could easily find a Sam's  most anywhere.

We did in fact have to replace them once under warranty. I think they were Duracell brand. They were ok-better than a single 12v and got us started.

In Jan 2021 we were headed to Florida and the batteries crapped out again-still in warranty. we stopped along the way at a golf cart store and bought 2 Trojan t-105 6v GC2's.  They have 225ah each and have been flawless so far.  As I recall, they were about $160 -165 each. The only issue that I have had is the need to buy a new double battery box and the additional 80+/- pounds of tongue weight.

So, good for you.  I think you have made a wise move going to the GC2's. the fact they they are not maintenance free is NOT a big deal. Just check the water levels and fill with distilled water occasionally.  I try to check once a month, but honestly in almost 2.5 years, I have added a small amount of water only once.  I have cleaned the terminals with baking soda and a stiff brush and check connections for tightness.

Travel safe and often

Vann

Agree, that is about right for price.  Not real familiar with Diehard batteries, at the golf course where I worked the electric carts (since the 1980's) have always had Trojan's.  Have worked on some electric carts that members have, and when it comes to changeout, we go with Trojans. 

I have two batteries in our 177.  The oldest is 12 yrs. old, Interstate 12v, group size 24 deep cycle.  The newer one is a Trojan T-1275, a heavy weight at 85 lbs. but also gives 165 AH of service.  We not not utilize either solar of generator.  When the T-1275 was purchased 8/2020, the price was $ 200 and that was with a trade in.