Lithium batteries for house

[Lin]

Howdy, I have not been around for a while since we have not been using the bus.  Recently though, my AGM house batteries gave up their ghosts.  I was looking at the possibility of switching to lithium.  They actually seem to have some reasonably priced options.  I would be sure that some have tried lithium by now, so I want to ask if anyone prefers them over AGM's.  What's the verdict?  Thanks

[luvrbus]

I am installing Lithium batteries in my daughters Rv and researching there is a big difference in cheap lithium  and the higher price  batteries like Battle Born and Lion some of the  2 or $300  batteries on Amazon just have a 2 to 4000  life cycle with a couple of years warranty while Battle Born and Lion will have a 10,000 to 15,000 life cycle with 10 to 12 years warranty, I went with Lion Energy because of the warranty ,life cycle and Costco sells the Lion  so if any warranty is needed they go to Costco. They were on sale for  $899.00 ea at Costco for 110 amp hour rating where Battle Born was 100 amp hour rating, I got a little better deal buying through this board from Lion and Gary Hatt. My understanding from different forums they don't like being charged from the  engine alternator it doesn't hurt the batteries but take a toll on the alternator so i sprung for Victron DC/DC charger for 150 bucks ,you may have good luck out of the cheaper one I don't know this is my 1st rodeo with Lithium batteries

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

We ran an article about this very subject a couple of years ago. It is worth reading. I switched to Lion Energy Lithium Batteries three years ago, and I love them.  Check out this article....

https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/articles/conversion-and-nomad-life-tips-tricks-and-information/it-is-now-a-near-no-brainer-to-add-lithium-batteries-to-your-bus/

[Glennman]

We installed ( LifeBlue lithium 100 ah batteries to a 24v configuration with 3000 watts of solar. We run a 12,000 btu mini split and a 110v refrigerator among other things, and it's like perpetual motion. No generator, no connection to the bus alternator and we've gone 8 days in 95-degree weather with no hookups whatsoever (that's the longest we've vacationed, but the mini split and fridge has run for 2 full weeks at one point). We love it.

[Lin]

In the little research I've done since first posting, It appears that many say that the lithium batteries would not be good for starting the generator.  Since our generator currently starts off the house batteries, I suppose that I would have to change that power source.  Maybe I could center tap the coach batteries.

[peterbylt]

Installing Lithium Batteries in our Coach was one of the best things we did.
I balked a little at the price at first (and we did ours dirt cheap), but it has been well worth it.
600AH of Lifepo4 Batteries, 2500 watts of Solar panels and a 3000 watt inverter.
It’s like being permanently plugged into a 30 amp shore power outlet.

For an alternative approach to a lithium/solar system see my article in BCM.

https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/articles/bus-life-nomad-stories/electrifying-the-elephant-solar-power-build-part-1-of-2/

Peter

[windtrader]

Lin,


Rapid and large price drops in the lithium battery market have increased the gap between DIY and commercial products.

Battleborn website shows 12v 100ah battery for $925.00.
The following image shows cell prices for DIY build from batteryhookup.com. For $320, you can build a 12v, 105ah lithium battery pack.

Some here value warranty, commercial product, and specs. I can assure you the DIY battery offers the same as a Battleborn at a third of the price.


Additionally, this amount of capacity is likely undersized. Three to five kilowatts can provide adequate power to operate a typical RV for a day or two. You need to consider how you will charge it up.


Generators are not the suggested method. These days solar system components have experienced price drops too.

Starting a generator off a 12v lithium battery should be fine, even one rated 100a nominal. it may pull more than that but is is only for a few seconds so should not cause any damage if it does.

[luvrbus]

 

Starting a generator off a 12v lithium battery should be fine, even one rated 100a nominal. it may pull more than that but is is only for a few seconds so should not cause any damage if it does.
[/quote]

The 100 amp Lithium battery LifeLine sent me to try would not start my 3 cylinder diesel tractor which only requires 450 cranking amps it was dead by just using the glow plugs and would not turn the engine over to start some of the generators have high amp draw glow plugs. He can do it from a center tap and a 60 buck Walmart 12 v battery ,I did mine from the 12 v Vanner lug and it kept the battery charged but he may not have the Vanner

[windtrader]

Clifford,
I am speculating as I've not tried myself like you or read other reports. At worst case, a standard 12v car battery will work and should be easily wired up. The main house battery, charging/inverter system are more important, more involved, costly, and time consuming to get right.

[peterbylt]

I used a cheap Group 29, 845 CCA marine battery from Walmart (was the only battery they had with screw on top posts) to start the PowerTech 20KW generator with a 4 cylinder Kubota diesel.

Bought it about 6 years ago have never had an issue, except checking the acid levels on occasion. The generator has a small alternator just for charging the battery, have never needed to charge it any other way.
 
I start and run the Generator for at least an hour every 4 to 6 months if I haven’t used it. If needed I could jump start it from either the Bus batteries or the car, I have used it to help jump start the Bus.

Peter