Group 27 or 24 batteries

[guest2]

We have 600 watts of solar and 200 amp hours of lithium batteries, am considering adding more to the battery bank.

I appreciate the response.
Thank you.
Rich

[rtrainer]

What are everyone's thoughts on heated batteries? Specifically which LiTimes are people buying? I am looking at these 2:

12V 100AH TM: https://www.amazon.com/Litime-LiFePO.../dp/B0C8T1FD7M
12V 100AH Smart: https://www.amazon.com/Litime-LiFePO.../dp/B0BPXSHX8W

Their heated battery is out of stock

[ncitro]

What are everyone's thoughts on heated batteries? Specifically which LiTimes are people buying? I am looking at these 2:

12V 100AH TM: https://www.amazon.com/Litime-LiFePO.../dp/B0C8T1FD7M
12V 100AH Smart: https://www.amazon.com/Litime-LiFePO.../dp/B0BPXSHX8W

Their heated battery is out of stock

I do not personally see the need for heated. You can charge down to freezing, and discharge below 0F. Generally you want to size your bank to last you at least a few days, so that would mean sustained camping in below freezing weather where I could not charge, without hookups. If we are camping that cold, for that long we are going to have hookups, and the batteries will not be in play. That said I do recommend a battery with a solid BMS and low temperature cut off that will ensure it disables charging below the recommended temperature so you do not harm it if using it in those conditions.

[Sandridge4]

What are everyone's thoughts on heated batteries? Specifically which LiTimes are people buying? I am looking at these 2:

12V 100AH TM: https://www.amazon.com/Litime-LiFePO.../dp/B0C8T1FD7M
12V 100AH Smart: https://www.amazon.com/Litime-LiFePO.../dp/B0BPXSHX8W

Their heated battery is out of stock

I bought these, https://a.co/d/ci9kkkN
I didn’t go with heated as at the time I never thought we would go back to an area when it was that cold….. we are now headed to Colorado next week. I have built a heating system for the batteries and an insulated enclosure. Doubt that I spent as much as a heated battery would cost.

[rtrainer]

ncitro That is my thinking. Which battery do you have?

Sandridge4 I looked at those but they don't have a low temp cutoff.

[ncitro]

I have the Lion Energy. Four of the original model and 2 of the newer one. About 600ah total.

[TCampers]

To directly answer your question, I'd go with two group 24 batteries. Here's why:

Useable amp hour capacity for a group 27 battery: 44Ah (88Ah x 50%).
Useable amp hour capacity for two group 24 batteries: 81Ah. (2 x 81Ah x 50%)

Price: Interstate Group 27 $159.95
Price: Interstate Group 24 $149.95 x 2 = $299.90

I know others have mentioned lithium batteries. Specifically Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4). I recently purchased Li Time batteries. You can purchase a Li Time battery that will give you more useable power than two group 24 batteries (100Ah vs. 81Ah). And the current prices is $269.99 which is $30 less than the suggested retail price of Interstate lead acid batteries.

https://www.litime.com/products/liti...ifepo4-battery

Other things to consider if you purchase LiFePO4 batteries
1. They will typically last four to five times longer than lead acid
2. They are truly maintenance free.
3. You will need to invest in a lithium battery charger to get the fastest charging and the most complete charge cycle. Your old converter/charger will charge them up to about 90%.

Jim

We are waiting on our 2024 303RLS to come in and I am trying to decide on what to do for batteries. We plan on doing a bit of boondocking with it. I am leaning towards 2 of the Li time 12v-100ah-lithium-lifepo4-battereries from your post above. Do you know would our coach would come with a lithium battery compatible charger?
! am wondering if I would need to change it right away. It is coming with a factory installed 370watt solar panel also. All it states is it comes with a 60 amp blue tooth Charge Controller. Thanks

[howson]

We are waiting on our 2024 303RLS to come in and I am trying to decide on what to do for batteries. We plan on doing a bit of boondocking with it. I am leaning towards 2 of the Li time 12v-100ah-lithium-lifepo4-battereries from your post above. Do you know would our coach would come with a lithium battery compatible charger?
! am wondering if I would need to change it right away. It is coming with a factory installed 370watt solar panel also. All it states is it comes with a 60 amp blue tooth Charge Controller. Thanks

The "charge controller" is the MPPT Solar Controller (it works with the 370W solar panel).

According to the Parts Lookup website (see link on Menu Bar above) your rig will come with a Progressive Dynamics IntelliPower 9300 converter/charger. Yes, it charges LifePO4 batteries. See https://www.progressivedyn.com/pd9300/

Note GD can (and does) substitute components as supply of parts dictates, so you'll only know for sure what you have when you take delivery of your rig.



If you're going to boondock for any length of time, get as many batteries as the budget (and space) will allow. Cate&Rob has a vintage 303RLS -- he may have a recommendation as he's recently gone lithium, too.

Howard

[reubenray]

I do not personally see the need for heated. You can charge down to freezing, and discharge below 0F. Generally you want to size your bank to last you at least a few days, so that would mean sustained camping in below freezing weather where I could not charge, without hookups. If we are camping that cold, for that long we are going to have hookups, and the batteries will not be in play. That said I do recommend a battery with a solid BMS and low temperature cut off that will ensure it disables charging below the recommended temperature so you do not harm it if using it in those conditions.

Would these comments work for a trailer that is in a storage yard with full sun for my 370w solar panel in the winter? I don't want to remove the battery if possible. It got down to the minus single digits last winter. I want to change out my AGM battery to a lithium, but I don't know what model of size yet?

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Would these comments work for a trailer that is in a storage yard with full sun for my 370w solar panel in the winter? I don't want to remove the battery if possible. It got down to the minus single digits last winter. I want to change out my AGM battery to a lithium, but I don't know what model of size yet?

Leave the battery in, just disconnect it..or if you installed a disconnect switch, use that. My lifepo4 batteries are isolated from charging for 5 months. You actually want them at about 50-60% during storage anyway..not topped up at 100% by the solar.

[reubenray]

Leave the battery in, just disconnect it..or if you installed a disconnect switch, use that. My lifepo4 batteries are isolated from charging for 5 months. You actually want them at about 50-60% during storage anyway..not topped up at 100% by the solar.

I have a solar disconnect and a battery disconnect. So would I turn both of these off? If possible I would relocate the battery from the tongue to the compartment. I have to figure out how to move the battery cables.

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Well, for myself I only have the battery disconnect. Best practice for the solar disconnect I'm not sure about. howson or TucsonJim will know the answer to that. I just know that unlike a flooded lead acid battery, you don't want to keep lifepo4 at full charge while in storage.

[acoleman43]

I would disconnect solar panels before you disconnect batteries.

I agree with Scott'n'Wendy lithium batteries like to be stored at about 70%. Storing at 100% degrades the cells and reduced life cycles.

However, even if stored at 100%, you should still get a good 10 years from a good lithium battery.