Fogstar Drift Eco 305 ah 499.99

[jopparocks]

Fogstar Drift Eco on sale for 499.99. Before I click on buy, would this be a good replacement for my normal leisure batteries (2 x110 amp) which are around 5 years old now? I also have 2 75 watt solar panels. What victron hardware would I need to go over to the lithium side and as solar panel prices are pretty low just now would adding to the top of the van which has plenty room be advisable?
Thanks
Martin

 

[Kannon Fodda]

The Fogstar Eco is potentially a good option if you don't need to access a BMS, and you aren't needing to charge in colder temperatures. Main use for the BMS is to see the state of charge and also to suspend charge / discharge if you aren't using the battery for a couple of months.

A Victron smartshunt would be essential as only means of seeing how full / empty the battery was.

Ideally your charging systems should have lithium compatibility. You can probably get away without upgrading all if at least one system does do it properly so at least solar, engine or mains should have lithium and ideally thr most used should be first upgrade.

If you have a smart alternator (probably not if your current batteries a five years), a B2B is essential otherwise highly desirable to maximise recharge from engine. Victron Orion XS would be good but also needs thick cables from engine batt to lithium. Costs will add up.

As much solar as possible is good, especially if you don't move every couple of days. Victron blue solar controllers work well.

Mains charger least priority. After all you have a lot of 12V so you don't do EHU? For me the little plug in Victron units do OK and I only bothered as my Sargent system wasn't even smart for lead-acid.

 

[Lenny HB]

They won't be available until late October so you have a bit of time to think about it.

 

[jopparocks]

Thanks guys. Sorry for the slow response from me.