New Lithium Battery Installation

NRM

NRM

Joined
Oct 16, 2018
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Wales
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56,773
MH
Rapido 8096DF
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Need to replace my lead acid batteries after they accidently got discharged to 11.5V
Looking to bite the bullet and go for replacing them with Lithiums.
Interested in people's recommendations/experience of using some of the branded options available, eg
Roamer, NDS, Eco Tree, others??
Would rather pay for a known brand and a reasonable warranty than a generic Chinese import, although accept that most batteries are likely to originate in China.
How does one determine the state of charge? As they apparently have a relatively flat voltage, it seems that a voltmeter cannot be used in the same way as lead acid batteries.
My Rapido's DC to DEC convertor says it has a lithium profile, but sure about the charger used when on AC hookup.
If you were starting from scratch what would be people's ideal installation.
Not a case of money is no option as wish to spend it wisely, but not to try and achieve the cheapest installation possible.
All thoughts greatly received.
 
Have a word with Ecotree at Oaktree motorhomes ,very helpful and don't pressure sell.
With respect to chargers you don't really need one when your on hook up ,just a trickle charge will do. Your best change would be to a mppt solar controller with a lithium profile.
 
I've been doing some research ready to fit some to our new Rapido when it turns up. Looked at Ecotree, Renology, Roadpro/NDS etc I'm leaning towards Roamer because for a relatively small extra cost over the others, you get a 10 year warranty which as it's a long term investment, I'd be looking for. I'll also be seriously considering KS Energy nearer the time with whom we get discount (sponsor of this site) and have a 7 year warranty. No actual experience of using any though and I also need to check what if any upgrades to the factory infrastructure I'll need to make. I believe it will come with a CBE charger.
 
I tend to use Alpha Batteries for my batteries. Running a pair of PolarMax (BT BMS and Heaters) 100Ah Lithiums in conjunction with 3 100Ah Lead Carbons, all from Alpha :) Expecting a 300Ah Base Lithium in next couple of weeks for an Adria install :)

I know people seem to like the KS Energy Batteries but they seem to have a habit of going into sleep mode for no reason, disconnecting momentarily, which is a right PITA.
 
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NRM said:
Need to replace my lead acid batteries after they accidently got discharged to 11.5V
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11.5v should not be the end of your existing batteries. Before considering expensive options I would charge fully and carry out a capacity test.

Geoff
 
Got our gear at Oaktree. Very knowledgable and helpful too. Gave a funster’s discount on the batteries. I’m happy to recommend them. No connection other than being a happy customer.
 
donkey said:
11.5v should not be the end of your existing batteries. Before considering expensive options I would charge fully and carry out a capacity test.

Geoff
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How do I do this? Thanks
 
NRM said:
Need to replace my lead acid batteries after they accidently got discharged to 11.5V
Click to expand...
I certainly would not right off battery's because of this low voltage.. recharge and see how they perform before forking out for replacements.

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Speak to Becs at Fogstar, they were offering 15% discount to funsters, don't know if the offer is still valid but you can only ask? They have 10 year guarantee.

www.fogstar.co.uk

Fogstar Batteries | The UK’s #1 Lithium Battery Retailer

18650 Battery Retailer | 12V Leisure Batteries | 48V Solar Batteries | UK Based | 5* Reviews | Fast & Free Shipping - Same Day Despatch
www.fogstar.co.uk www.fogstar.co.uk

She said they will be at NEC for the solar/home storage exhibition, which is in at the same time at the Motorhome show or alternatively they're in Redditch which isnt far (apparently)

PS I have no links to the company etc but have recently ordered a lithium battery from them.
 
My Relion RB100 has been functioning faultlessly for nearly 5 years. When I chose it 5 years ago it looked the best available. The market has changed a lot since then and there might well be better value options now available.

I have changed motorhomes since then and the battery moved with me. When on EHU I use the the base vehicle CBE charger on a lead setting which slightly undercharges the battery but I don’t need a full battery when mains is available and it does it no harm.
 
NRM said:
How does one determine the state of charge? As they apparently have a relatively flat voltage, it seems that a voltmeter cannot be used in the same way as lead acid batteries.
My Rapido's DC to DEC convertor says it has a lithium profile, but sure about the charger used when on AC hookup.
If you were starting from scratch what would be people's ideal installation.
Click to expand...
Determine the SOC either via a Bluetooth connection to the battery bms or additional instrumentation like a victron bmv712 . I prefer the 712 to the smartshunt as it displays values and can control a relay. Assuming your rapido has cbe equipment a votronic b2b is compact and easy to fit close to a cbe 300. As Pausim i did not bother with a mains charger (the existing is good enough for the odd occasion I would use it.) I also use votronic mppt controllers.
 
Are Oaktree and Ecotree the same company? They seem to share the same Notts address.
 
BillyKontiki said:
KS. Energy think 10% funsters discount.
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fitted a 300ah from them a month ago. Very happy and BT built in.

IMG_6911.jpg

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I have been looking at going to lithiums also. I have a 2017 Elddis 255 to which I fitted the second battery and another solar panel with updated solar regulator. Would consider another two panels with mppt dedicated regulator for lithium. After that it gets complicated. B2B? or not required. Smartshunt, yes or no. I have talked to Sunstore who are not sure about spec of BCA psu I have. I have sent an email to BCA technical and await their reply. I have two separate battery bays that two 100ah lithiums would drop into. One 280ah lithium would be more sensible. More capacity , lower cost. So I made up a box same size as larger lithium plus a few MMS added for safety. Removed one of my batteries and tried it for size and it fits. At least I have one question answered.
 

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Beekeeper said:
I have been looking at going to lithiums also. I have a 2017 Elddis 255 to which I fitted the second battery and another solar panel with updated solar regulator. Would consider another two panels with mppt dedicated regulator for lithium. After that it gets complicated. B2B? or not required. Smartshunt, yes or no. I have talked to Sunstore who are not sure about spec of BCA psu I have. I have sent an email to BCA technical and await their reply. I have two separate battery bays that two 100ah lithiums would drop into. One 280ah lithium would be more sensible. More capacity , lower cost. So I made up a box same size as larger lithium plus a few MMS added for safety. Removed one of my batteries and tried it for size and it fits. At least I have one question answered.
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Fogstar were offering a competitive discount for a 280ah ...
 
That's where I got my dimensions from. Do you know anything about them. They seem to say all the right things on their website.

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A few funsters have pointed out the good bits about their construction etc. I've got a 400ah on ordering but I will be changing it to a smaller one purely because of physically lifting it and out/fitting etc. I have the space but that much weight in a 'single lift' is perhaps not very sensible ...
 
MisterB said:
A few funsters have pointed out the good bits about their construction etc. I've got a 400ah on ordering but I will be changing it to a smaller one purely because of physically lifting it and out/fitting etc. I have the space but that much weight in a 'single lift' is perhaps not very sensible ...
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What’s sort weight are we talking about here ? I am guessing around 40kg for that size .As you say , too much to be lifting into a van in a single lift .
 
Swifter said:
What’s sort weight are we talking about here ? I am guessing around 40kg for that size .As you say , too much to be lifting into a van in a single lift .
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37kg ...... I was hoping they could split it but haven't had an answer back yet, but other funsters have suggested it's not viable.
I suggested having two batteries but only one with the BMS in it as they would effectively be 'one battery' - as I don't know anything about such things it seemed a practical solution...
I was just looking at away to split the weight without having two lots of 'cintrol gubbings'
 
MisterB said:
37kg ...... I was hoping they could split it but haven't had an answer back yet, but other funsters have suggested it's not viable.
I suggested having two batteries but only one with the BMS in it as they would effectively be 'one battery' - as I don't know anything about such things it seemed a practical solution...
I was just looking at away to split the weight without having two lots of 'cintrol gubbings'
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If having 2 from ks energy the app shows 2 batteries and half the input or output on each. Sonic balanced ok then I just read one

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MisterB said:
37kg ...... I was hoping they could split it but haven't had an answer back yet, but other funsters have suggested it's not viable.
I suggested having two batteries but only one with the BMS in it as they would effectively be 'one battery' - as I don't know anything about such things it seemed a practical solution...
I was just looking at away to split the weight without having two lots of 'cintrol gubbings'
Click to expand...
Interesting, my ultramax 200ah weighs 26kg each

By the way there is a 5% off coupon running on eBay for ultramax now again. Last time some ppl was interested but it ended that night.
 
On the '1 x big or 2 x small' question, the thing that swung it for me was the maximum discharge rate. I was deciding between 1 x 220Ah or 2 x 110Ah. The maximum discharge rate of both batteries individually was 100A, however having 2 x 110Ah in parallel means I have a maximum discharge rate of 200A, so double what I would have had with 1 bigger battery. I knew there would be times I wanted to discharge at a bit over 100A with the inverter, so having 2 batteries and double the max discharge was the clincher. It was the Ecotree team that talked me through all this and helped me get the right setup for what I wanted.
 
Fogstar quite a discharge rate of 200a I think
 

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