Dump Deep Cell and go to Lithium???

[Big_John]

I have a 2021 Class C and it has two, deep cell batteries. I wonder if anyone has considered swapping out your traditional deep cell batteries for one of the modern Lithium batteries that have bunches of capacity and delivery?



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[Stovebolter]

Use the search function on top of page and type in Wet Cell to Lithium

[proost]

We traded in our deep cycle batteries and added a bank of lithium and we have never been happier. You get double the use out of an equivalent battery because you can take them all the way down to zero without damaging the batteries. Also, they are about a third of the weight.

After three years on the road full-time, we always tell folks that if you were going to do an upgrade, the batteries should be close to first because you greatly reduce your reliance on charging and the stress associated with battery management when you convert. We love them.

[THenne1713]

If you go Lithium, expect $1,000 expense min, and add DC-DC charge controller or a LI-BIM Controller to protect Alternator/ batteries.

[Seadog63]

Well big John if your going to boondock you gotta figure out what your usage will be and will you need a converter to go from 12 volt to 110 volt like your microwave, etc. not to mention solar panels. That’s if your camping that way, yeah the Jenny will charge them. And see if your rv if moterized has the capacity to keep them up to charge. Lithium is nice and is very expensive, like $400.00 per battery for starters pending on who you buy from and brand like battleborns. If your just wanting to replace and use hookups in the campgrounds etc I’d stick with good deep cycles. You can buy three deep cycles for the price of one lithium as a average and yeah the lithium has a good life to them but bottom line is what your willing to spend, how you camp or want to camp. It’s all about choices. Check you tube out on rv lithium battery installs and all that,, there is a mountain of excellent info there that can help you. I stick with good deep cycles on my motorhome beings we use full hookups all the time and even if we overnight in a Cracker Barrel and the weather is mild our deep cycles are more than enough for most everything. Tho we use the Jenny on occasion. Hope this help’s somewhat.

[RY469]

Look at amp-hour capacity. Lead acid chemistry allows about 50% capacity usage, where lithium allows about 80% capacity usage. One amp hour equals one amp used for one hour (pretty straight forward). Plus lithium discharges at constant voltage, where lead acid tapers off on voltage. All this said, lithium is better, plus the life span is much longer for lithium. Lithium batteries typically have BMS (battery management system) built into them. They are happy in a certain voltage range, and the BMS manages that. So, as long as the lithium batteries you buy have BMS, I say go for it. They will last longer and provide better power in the long term. 100AH gives about 80AH usage (lithium), where lead acid only about 50AH usage. Five years (lead) Vs 10-15 years (lithium) age.

[Big_John]

Originally Posted by THenne1713

If you go Lithium, expect $1,000 expense min, and add DC-DC charge controller or a LI-BIM Controller to protect Alternator/ batteries.

Yep... this is why I WON'T go the route of Lithium. I am not going to rebuild/purchase a whole new system for a 2021 unit where everything is new at this point.

I think I am going to add two more batteries, Renogy AGM gel. That would give me 4 batteries... 2 that are 80 ah and 2 that are 100 ah.

[RY469]

It is best to only connect same age / size batteries together. Your bank will only perform as well as the worse ones. In this case your old 80Ah batteries will drag down your new ones, you will not see the 100Ah benefit. Best to just use your old ones for your boat trolling motor or a separate circuit with a DC-DC charger supporting them. Use the new ones for the house, exclusively.

[nickfox]

Lithium batteries will be much more convenient, but more expensive.