New battery setup in camper - LiFePO4

Submitted: Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 at 09:30
ThreadID: 104755 Views:2467 Replies:4 FollowUps:4
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So, I'm getting a new camper and have the opportunity to set everything up from scratch, rather than changing my current "aged" system.

Without entering a debate about battery types, I'm leaning towards the LiFePO4 type of battery due to capacity and weight advantages. There is so much conflicting info out there from the lovers and haters, so I just have a few simple questions:

1. Any advantage/disadvantage of using 3 x 60Ah or 2 x 90Ah to get 180Ah, particularly regarding battery management?
2. A couple of suppliers seem to be EV- Power and EVWorks. Any feedback on these?
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Reply By: Herbal - Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 at 10:00

Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 at 10:00
The only advantage I see to have 2 or 3 batteries is if your space requires it. Otherwise a single 180ah is lighter than 2 90ah and will cost less too. A single battery is much easier and cheaper to manage than a bank of batteries.

I don't know if either EV Power and EV Works are better than each other. But EV Power does seem to get talked about a lot and seems to be popular.
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Follow Up By: Jos - Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 at 10:14

Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 at 10:14
My concern with EV Power is their website - no telephone or address details. Makes me a little dubious.
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Follow Up By: Herbal - Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 at 11:04

Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 at 11:04
I would not be concerned about contact details. They are actually a B2B seller. That means their main sales are business to business. Although they can and do sell at retail level. Not having a published phone number for a B2B company is quite common.
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Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 at 10:22

Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 at 10:22
Hi Jos. As others have said, the disadvantages of 2 or 3 cell lots are size,weight, cost and monitoring. The one advantage is if in the unlikely instance that a cell did fail, it would be cheaper to replace. I have 4x3.5v 200ah cells. They weigh 42Kg all up with supports and cell connectors but replaced a single 100ah AGM that weighed 38kg. I bought mine from this fellow who, along with his wife, are very knowledgeble and efficient. Because of our dollar devalue lately they have gone up slightly in price. LiFePo4 are becoming more and more popular. Bushtracker Caravans now fit them as an option. Regards,Bob
LiFePO4
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Follow Up By: Jos - Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 at 10:32

Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 at 10:32
Thanks for the link. Looks like a good price on the batteries.
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Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 at 22:58

Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 at 22:58
The specifications show these types of batteries to be top performers.
If I was in the market for a new battery I’d seriously consider them.
Generally with any deep cycle battery – comparing one single large battery to two half size batteries, adding up to the same capacity – the larger single battery will have the longer life span. The same applies to 3 smaller batteries compared to 2 large etc.
Another advantage, if you have the charger capacity, is this type’s ability to charge at a very high rate, compared to a standard AGM’s (If I read their specifications correctly).
AnswerID: 519884

Reply By: Jos - Friday, Oct 18, 2013 at 12:59

Friday, Oct 18, 2013 at 12:59
Thanks everyone for the info. While I wait patiently for the arrival of my new camper I'll hopefully have my battery system wants finalized. Manufacturer wants to fit AGM's and can't do an alternative for me, so my option is to get my new camper minus some of the electrics and batteries and get this done elsewhere. I honestly didn't think it was going to be this hard.
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Friday, Oct 18, 2013 at 13:17

Friday, Oct 18, 2013 at 13:17
I will try not to get into the debate Jos , but I suspect you will be better off to stick with the manufacturers AGM's and system.

After you have got thru the new campers debug period then consider the most cost effective mods , the lithium option will not be first on the list.

Robin Miller

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