Lipo4 <span class="highlight">batteries</span> or <span class="highlight">agm</span>

On the caravanners forum not so long ago there was a lot of vitriol posted against the Lithium (LiFePo4) battery converts.
Stating all the claims were smoke and mirrors.
As time has gone on, more and more are converting to Lithium with some having massive 400 amp hour plus systems installed.
The ability to push large power quickly into them and being able to discharge way below what is acceptable for an AGM battery makes the eventual conversion from AGM to Lithium systems the norm in my opinion.
Prices are coming down but like many things buying from a reputable manufacturer is paramount. Winston batteries seem to be the battery of choice.
Try the Caravanners forum there is lots of information there to read and now that more people have changed to them there is more real world info as well.
Regards Andrew.

Yes go for the Lithiums, we have a 400 a/h bank in the Oka, there is no comparison to the 480ah bank of AGM's they replaced.
They can be safely discharged to 20% SOC with in excess of 13v at that point which gives a usable 320ah but could be taken further without harm whereas taking the AGM's below 50% SOC causes loss of capacity. So instead of a 240ah battery we now have 320ah or more if needed.
I have had the Oka in the shed with the 130l Vitrifrigo fridge going for 8 days straight now in +30 temps on about half the days with NO charging and the SOC is still over 53%.
They take whatever the solar can supply until fully charged which is typically done in a couple of hours which would of taken days to do with the AGM's.
They weigh less than half of what the AGM's weighed, take up 2/3rds the space and yes while they need to be monitored to prevent overcharging and too low a discharge it isn't too onerous with the right gear.
Some of the other Lithium users have been running split aircons with the solar keeping up with the demand on large vans and motorhomes.
We have no gas so use normal electric jug, toaster and inductive cooktop on 240 through the inverter.

Hi DD

When we need to replace our batteries, I will go for Lithium on weight alone. The other advantages will be a bonus. At the price we paid for our four AGMs, they are not expensive and price is getting better as they are being sold in greater numbers.

Motherhen

DD, your use of the word 'allegedly' does not become the post. If you can follow the science you shouldn't post that way.

Our Bushtracker was the first to leave the factory as their test bed. Their comment to me on the collection day, after saying g'day, was that they were so impressed. Discharge rates and subsequent recharge rates were fantastic, and the voltage right through the discharge range, was kept high. Much unlike AGM batteries that need to push out more amps to match the lower voltage, the further they discharge. Very poor against the AGM batteries.

On the BOG site there have been many discussions on lithium batteries. Before I posted on reliability I quizzed my friends on the Kimberley Karavan owners site where some have used LIFEPO4 batteries for about 18 months longer than I have. Failures have been on chargers (what is new?) and some other kit, but zilch on batteries.

The comment to me at BTi has been that they tend not to hear anything from lithium battery owners, quite different to issues with AGM.

With the help of a fellow that has developed a conditioning,charging,monitoring system for Winston LiFePo4 batteries, I have converted my battery storage system over to a 4 cell 200ah one. It took me many hours of changing/upgrading solar panels,wiring and the associated electronics I required. I only finished the project around 2 weeks ago.
I am relying solely on 300watts of solar as the charging regime. My first week of full time use finished today. My overnite usage sees the morning voltage around 13.4v and float voltage has been achieved by no longer than lunch time even with a couple of cloudy days. Although our use is not massive, with our old 120ah AGM in the same conditions, we would be struggling to hold 12v by this time.
I can only say the difference is phenominal and I can only thank the "guru" who was so badly admonished on the Caravaners forum. Regards,Bob.

Dublediff, don't want to hijack your thread, but having read the good reports, where abouts does one get the batteries from? Hopefully the knowledgeable ones here will be able to provide an answer. Thanks in advance. John

Many thanks one and all, John - take a 'bex' and lie down, it was merely a comment on information give to me that lipo4 had been overrated, that is why I have posted on this forum, one which I much appreciate the knowledge and experience of, for positive corroboration, corroboration such as you have given and I thank you for it! If I have offended you I am sorry.
The caravaners forum, well what can I say....what a font of information, pity I am on limited bandwidth due to travelling, when I get home next week I will spend the hours reading it to its end, thanks for that one too.

There are a couple of requirements for charging lipo4 that differ from agm or wet cell batteries. Bushtracker recommend different chargers both dc/dc and solar to battery pack so MH you will have to cLculate the costs of changing those when the time comes, but it appears that you will truly have your monies worth from them by that time with the amount of travelling you do.

DD