Quote:
Originally Posted by rlvanasse
Go to You Tube and check out Lithium Ion Batteries. If you are keeping your rig for a long time they are the least expensive alternative. The other advantage is a 200 amp hour battery gives you the full 200 amp hours, not the 50% draw of any other battery. They also last 10+ years, rahter than the 3 - 5 years of any wet cell battery. Worth checking out!
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That's the sales pitch, but it isn't that simple. For one thing, the idea that 100% discharge is safe for the battery is simply not true - electric cars using lithium ion batteries avoid the extremes on both the charge and discharge ends of the cycle, typically discharging to only 80% depth of discharge and not fully charging so less than 80% of the nominal capacity is used. A good (not cheap and typical) lead-acid can withstand much more than 50% discharge repeatedly. Lifetime is not really established for most lithium chemistries, because they haven't been in common use for that long.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jnfrombigt
I agree lithium is the way to go but I understand it's not just a simple battery switch. I'm not sure the factory installed charge controller is optimum for a lithium.
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True. LiFePO
4 type lithium ion batteries are the most suitable for RV use, but even then the charging voltage won't likely be right, and the lithium cells need a protective battery management system (usually an integral part of the "12 volt" battery unit). Cold weather can be a problem.