Battery decision?

[MD-Escape]

I also agree there are some dangerously crappy Lithium batteries out there. I purchased SOK batteries a few years ago that are working flawlessly.

If purchasing LiFe batteries today I would probably go with one of the Epoch Essentials flavors. Good combination of value, quality, support, and availability,

Will Prowse’s reviews are quite good.

Epoch Essentials

 

[vermilye]

Jon, my needs are simple, no inverter and so far my 2 original 6 volt lead acid GC2 batteries have sufficed for me. I'm curious about your thoughts, would it be better to replace them with 2 100 AH lithium, or a single 200 AH lithium? I realize the single 200 AH would make for simpler wiring and maybe even better charging, but would having that extra 100 AH battery in case of one battery failing be a good option?

To be honest, if you are happy with your lead acid batteries, I'd stick with them. For me I needed more storage, enough output for a 1500 watt inverter, and a way to eliminate the middle of the night propane detector alarming because my lead acid batteries were gassing off and setting off the detector.

As to 1 large or 2 small, the one large is simpler, but be sure that the BMS can output what you need. You noted that you didn't have an inverter, but they sure are handy; who knows what the future brings? While they can fail, lithium batteries are reliable, I'd have no concerns about going with one large, at least in an RV. I agree that there are good reasons for multiple batteries in a boat.

 

[Carmel Clown]

The propane detector reminds me to check the water in the batteries.

 

[nrthwds]

To be honest, if you are happy with your lead acid batteries, I'd stick with them. For me I needed more storage, enough output for a 1500 watt inverter, and a way to eliminate the middle of the night propane detector alarming because my lead acid batteries were gassing off and setting off the detector.

As to 1 large or 2 small, the one large is simpler, but be sure that the BMS can output what you need. You noted that you didn't have an inverter, but they sure are handy; who knows what the future brings? While they can fail, lithium batteries are reliable, I'd have no concerns about going with one large, at least in an RV. I agree that there are good reasons for multiple batteries in a boat.

Jon,
My 22c has dual 6v batteries and the propane sensor goes off all the time when it’s hot out especially.
I just found out that my controller is defective and is still under warranty. The defective controller is allowing the batteries to be charged to 14.5 15.0 causing the propane sensor to go off all the time until the batteries are at 13 or lower. Go power is sending me a new one. It is set from factory for Agm and it would be good time to replace batteries when controller is installed. I’m thinking I should get rid if the 6v batteries and get AGM or lithium batteries. I like in Michigan where it can be -20 below and snowbird but don’t leave until mid January. Trailer is parked in my driveway and I don’t want to remove the batteries. Which do you think would work better for me? Thanks for any info.

 

[alanmalk]

Lead-Acid/AGM batteries can handle -20F better than lithium when fully charged. But on the other hand, lithium weigh so much less, so they are easier to remove and install. On that basis alone I would consider it a toss up.

But the switch to lithium requires a different approach to charging that must be considered. And likely it will increase the total cost in addition to the batteries. From an economic standpoint it is not worth it.

But (#3 now): It is very easy to increase your total AH for more power to boondock or run appliances with lithium. (I put in 600 AH, others have put in more and on the extreme end there are people who run their air conditioning systems on Lithium). From a power standpoint it is totally the way to go.

Bottom line, not an easy decision to be taken lightly. My personal opinion, get your $$ out of the lead-acid if possible. They could last 6+ years if taken care of.

 

[DT6]

We had a similar dilemma when we bought our 2022 21C. We opted for the "Lithium Package" minus the actual batteries themselves. This does force Escape to install a Lead-Acid battery and drill two vent holes in your trailer that you will have no use for once you install your Lithium Batteries.

We went with SOK batteries like John from Santa Cruz ordered. We have 3, 100Ah SOK's and have them wired two in parallel and one in standby (accomplished by a cutoff switch). SOK and LiTime seem to have good reputations and I would not hesitate to purchase either.

One tip I highly recommend is to fully charge each lithium battery prior to arriving at Escape. Also, have an installation plan ready. I did not do either and I ended up wasting $60 on unneeded battery boxes and then had to deal with unbalanced batteries (you don't have to worry about that if you only go with one). Several of us use a simple piece of angle iron or a metal corner brace that you can easily find at Home Depot or ACE, and a good strap to hold them in place. I purchased about 6 feet of the stuff and cut a few 10 to 12 inch lengths and used a drill and metal file to create holes for the hold-down strap, and had screws to secure them to the floor. Escape will have the screws, but you will need to bring the metal braces and straps if you choose to secure them this way. Bottom line is have an install plan.

You can plug the lead-acid vent holes with a soft putty (I think what I used is called electrical putty, used to seal drilled holes. look for a small gray brick about the size of a cube of butter. HD or ACE should be able to find it for you with this description or someone on the forum can chime in with the exact name of the stuff).

Finally, not mentioned here, but I highly recommend you stay close to Chilliwack the first night. We stayed at a Casino near Sumas and discovered a few things that Escape had to address the next day. Hopefully that won't happen to you, but it makes it easy to get it corrected if it does.

 

[C&G in FL]

When I switched to (Battleborn) lithium batteries, I removed the battery box and cut it down to approximately 3-inches tall using a rip fence on a table saw. I then reinstalled it and secured the batteries with a piece of plywood and the original hold-downs (threaded rods) provided by ETI. My intent was to secure the batteries in place while providing less restrictive access to the battery terminals.

In deference to Alan’s comment regarding getting 6 years out of the FLA batteries, I couldn’t wait 6 years because I was sick of being ripped out of sleep in the early morning hours by the high decibel shrieking of a false alarm due to ETI’s poorly designed venting of minute amounts of hydrogen when the converter went into boost mode.

 

[GinoandLinda]

Guess I don't understand the phobia over battery boxes. I actually bought an ETI battery box when I added our two additional HUBLiON batteries. Made for a nice tidy and consistent installation. Not that anyone else's installation isn't tidy and consistent.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

i dumped the dual GC2 batt box when I dumped the lead acid batts. my SOK 206AH were just a hair too big to fit in it , and i wanted to relocate the batteries, and lithium don't need ventilating. i replaced the vent port with a 12VDC port.

 

[Shiny]

.....

We went with SOK batteries like John from Santa Cruz ordered. We have 3, 100Ah SOK's and have them wired two in parallel and one in standby (accomplished by a cutoff switch). SOK and LiTime seem to have good reputations and I would not hesitate to purchase either.

....

We are planning to replace our 2 original FLAs with lithium to gain more capacity.

After reading and watching too much YouTube, we are leaning toward these two brands as the best of the brands within our cost goals.

I recognize the support and warranty risks are significant, but yours and many others' experience seems to be good. To me, I can pay the price of two batteries up front and get a good warranty with a premium brand or just take a chance on having to buy two budget batteries and move on.

I think buying two 100+ AH batteries vs 1 200+ AH might mitigate some risk but cost a little more. Opinions?

Any other budget brands that are worth considering?

Mike

 

[alanmalk]

Odds are that two 100's will provide more Amps for the inverter than a single 200.

 

[CE Vogel]

Odds are that two 100's will provide more Amps for the inverter than a single 200.

Agreed. Most 100AH batteries will provide 100 amps each. Some 200AH batteries provide 200 amps, but many provide only 100 amps, not enough to run many inverters. Also, two 100AH batteries are easier to move around than a heavier 200AH battery.

 

[GinoandLinda]

We have 4@100AH HubLion batteries, however we only run a 1500watt inverter which has met all of our needs for 3 seasons now.

 

[Shiny]

Odds are that two 100's will provide more Amps for the inverter than a single 200.

Understood, thanks.

Agreed. Most 100AH batteries will provide 100 amps each. Some 200AH batteries provide 200 amps, but many provide only 100 amps, not enough to run many inverters. Also, two 100AH batteries are easier to move around than a heavier 200AH battery.

Thanks. I've seen that on some of the LiTime 200 AH batteries. And yes, the weight is a big consideration for me since we will have to remove them for winter storage.

We have 4@100AH HubLion batteries, however we only run a 1500watt inverter which has met all of our needs for 3 seasons now.

Yes, no immediate plan to replace our 1500W inverter but that's ahead of us. More important to gain some capacity right now.

 

[Shiny]

Anyone have strong opinions and/or experience to guide a decision between SOK and LiTime?

I'm leaning toward SOK because of the "repairable" design and having at least one US sales/support contact (12 hr email support vs 24 hr ??).

SOK is priced a little higher.

The Will Prowse test and teardown videos for both seem great compared to some of the other budget brands...

I know I'm taking a chance of eating whatever I buy, given the shipping cost for a return. I see positive experience for both on this forum, but it's impossible to know the return rate for either brand.

We have a monitor so the BT apps are not a big factor, but in event of an issue, they might be useful for diagnosis and/or support of a warranty claim.

If the BMS is better with one, that might be important, but what is a "better BMS"? Both have similar specs but if one is glitchier or more annoying than another, that could matter.

Thanks again for sharing your experience and advice.

Mike

 

[iamunique127]

You’re in Windsor so in a big metropolitan area. Are there any reputable local battery shops that can sell you good Li-Ion batteries? That would save on the shipping concerns and cross-border issues. Personally, those would be some of my top criteria. I always like to take my purchases back to the shop where i bought them if I have problems. I know we have some solar-knowledgable battery shops here and we’re smaller than Windsor and area.

 

[Garry George]

Mike,

I installed the 280AH SOK in my E19 last year and am quite happy with the performance. I have a 3K inverter fused for 200A input, that I rarely use (visible to the right of the battery). The battery is some what compact and I, like you, like the fact it can be repaired and/or inspected as required. I like the internal heater and metal case as well. However, the price is about 50% higher that comparable budget batteries; or it was at the time I was shopping around in 2023.

Garry

 

[Shiny]

You’re in Windsor so in a big metropolitan area. Are there any reputable local battery shops that can sell you good Li-Ion batteries? That would save on the shipping concerns and cross-border issues. Personally, those would be some of my top criteria. I always like to take my purchases back to the shop where i bought them if I have problems. I know we have some solar-knowledgable battery shops here and we’re smaller than Windsor and area.

Yes, I have easy access to Fort Collins and Loveland. Less so for Longmont and Denver.

I'm motivated to save money, so willing to take a chance on return hassles and honestly didn't look too hard for a local store. I may be doing this for parts, though..

Mike,

I installed the 280AH SOK in my E19 last year and am quite happy with the performance. I have a 3K inverter fused for 200A input, that I rarely use (visible to the right of the battery). The battery is some what compact and I, like you, like the fact it can be repaired and/or inspected as required. I like the internal heater and metal case as well. However, the price is about 50% higher that comparable budget batteries; or it was at the time I was shopping around in 2023.

Garry

Thank you

I ordered 2 SOK 100AH, no heaters...

They were more expensive than many other brands including the LiTime, but not as much as a premium brand.

Wish me luck.

 

[iamunique127]

Yes, I have easy access to Fort Collins and Loveland. Less so for Longmont and Denver.

I'm motivated to save money, so willing to take a chance on return hassles and honestly didn't look too hard for a local store. I may be doing this for parts, though..

Sorry, I took simply “Windsor" as being the one in southern Ontario.