Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #25 – January 13, 2023, 04:02:05 pm As I understand it most good lithium batteries come with a heater in them. The battery management system keeps the cells under control at are use situations.Glen
Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #26 – January 13, 2023, 05:54:31 pm I also removed the battery slides, and built up a new floor to stay flat with the weight of the batteries now resting on the floor, instead of the roll out platform. I sealed the vents on the door, and insulated that as part of the door. I put standard compartment rubber seal on the edge of the door, and greased it up with silicone grease. It oozes shut with some pressure, and cleaned it off on the outside. That keeps air and water out. The battery heater panel I used was exactly the right size to cover the opening. Mentioned in Will Prowse's YouTube, it is made by Facon, and is originally intended for fresh water tanks. Amazon.com: Facon 12" x 18" RV Camper Trailer Water Holding Tank Heater Pad... It has an internal disc thermo-switch to turn itself on and off. On at 45 degrees/ off at 65. I have an indicating LCD thermometer and the 30" wired probe is located at the bottom of the external door. I have the power switch off, but if I thought that the temperature of the batteries might get near freezing, I would turn it on. The holes in the poly compartment where the leads used to go through, let enough warm air in. In a 'TK the heater vent is near the bottom of the vanity, just inches away from the batteries. I might consider adding a small duct offshoot over closer to the batteries. I haven't yet been anywhere close enough to cold weather, to see how my insulation efforts worked. RonB added: The SOK battery has an internal sensor to shut off the batteries if they get too cold (or too hot). I'd rather not test that feature. As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #27 – January 13, 2023, 06:09:40 pm Quote from: colddog - January 13, 2023, 04:02:05 pmAs I understand it most good lithium batteries come with a heater in them. The battery management system keeps the cells under control at are use situations.Glen The inclusion of a heater is not a marker of the quality of a battery; however in the right circumstances the choice of an internal or external heater will allow operation in extreme conditions. The marker of a good battery management system is one that will protect the battery in all circumstances. For instance, you do not want to rely on a heater to protect the battery if temps fall - heaters take power and could potentially drain the battery and turn off...Steve
Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #28 – January 13, 2023, 08:52:33 pm Hi Glen and Steve. Will Prowse's video talks about heaters for Batteries. This one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJmIS5tmzPU details the marine version SOK 206 which is larger than the metal case version. I wanted every inch I could because the 'TK fitment is so tight. I wanted a metal case to fit in better. The heater detailed previously, I put between the batteries and the aluminum vented door. RonB 2 Likes
Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #29 – January 14, 2023, 03:18:35 am So far, our lithium batteries have stayed warm in cold conditions as a result of insulating the compartment door and venting the compartment to the interior.If the future shows the need for a heater, placing a heating pad in the compartment would be simple. I was given a USB-powered chair heating pad for Xmas and it would be straightforward to place it in the battery compartment and use the battery to power it through a nearby USB power port. Commercial heating pads are also available.A hard-wire digital thermometer probe is located in the battery compartment for monitoring the compartment's interior.Amazon.com: Akozon USB Heating Pad 5V 2A Electric Cloth Heater Washable...Lithium battery installation details are here.Lithium Battery replacement | FlickrLarry 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #30 – January 15, 2023, 12:57:27 pm Next week I'll have a long talk with the folks of Battle Born. I'll be at the Q big tent show. Looking to get a small deal on them there. glen 1 Likes
Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #31 – February 22, 2023, 11:01:54 pm My new battery door. Working on electrical overhaul and spending too much money.
Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #32 – February 23, 2023, 11:23:28 am Folks - I wanted to get back to all of you to thank you for the time you've taken to educate me on the Lifo subject. RonB, thanks so much for your offline responses to my questions; Larry for the links to equipment; and all others, Thank You!So here's where I'm at. I am convinced that the Lifo option is the way to go. However, it appears to be a significant outlay of some upfront cash and work to modify my existing components and battery purchase. My wife and I use the LD about 5 - 10 times a year usually a week or two at a time and are not large power users....laptops, TV, lights, that sorta thing. Our existing AGM's have served us well for several years and we have been satisfied with their performance.Based on this we have decided to replace the AGM's in kind and pass on the Lifo upgrade.This Forum has been a great source of information and I can't thank you all enough for the help and support! Cheers! 3 Likes
Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #33 – February 23, 2023, 12:09:39 pm Quote from: Craig P - February 22, 2023, 11:01:54 pmMy new battery door. Working on electrical overhaul and spending too much money.No one ever said that RVing was going to be cheap.It has taken years, you are getting closer to being done rebuilding your '97. Tenaciousness wins the day.Keep up posted on the upgrades.Larry 1 Likes
Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #34 – February 23, 2023, 05:09:45 pm Quote from: Howard Arnold - February 23, 2023, 11:23:28 amSo here's where I'm at. I am convinced that the Lifo option is the way to go. However, it appears to be a significant outlay of some upfront cash and work to modify my existing components and battery purchase. My wife and I use the LD about 5 - 10 times a year usually a week or two at a time and are not large power users....laptops, TV, lights, that sorta thing. Our existing AGM's have served us well for several years and we have been satisfied with their performance.Based on this we have decided to replace the AGM's in kind and pass on the Lifo upgrade.Yeah, that's kinda where we are at also.
Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #35 – February 23, 2023, 07:40:35 pm We came to the same conclusion as Howard & Greg, ie; we replaced our AGMs with new ones when one of them failed. LifeLIne was great to work with and gave us 50% discount from MSRP as a pro-rated warranty. We will consider replacing with LiPO4 when these AGMs wear out. I hope though, that having installed a Progressive Dynamics three stage converter/charger and a Victron Smart Battery Monitor, we’ll be better able to care for these AGMs and will as a result see many more than the three year lifespan we did on the Lazy Daze installed original batteries. In the mean time, we do of course suffer the lower useable capacity, slower charge time, and heavier weight of the AGMs. - Warren
Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #36 – February 23, 2023, 07:48:28 pm I know the sticker shock of a lithium/solar upgrade oh so well. My original plans for replacing our failing AGM’s was very modest. Replace with AGM’s or golf cart batteries. 🧐My DW had shown an interest in having a hair dryer available so my budget slowly grew from there. I penciled in plans to cover a variety of upgrades. My final budget grew significantly from the original one.Here is a pic of my plans from which I had to choose. Each plan had its merits but ultimately it came down to AM Solar doing the job. The final cost included all the other elements of the build. I’m ok with DIY projects but not this one. Knowing that I had to drive from Long Beach to Oregon meant I had only one chance to get this right. It would be quite a while before I got back up that way. Glad I made the decision to get the work done.Kent
Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #37 – February 23, 2023, 09:14:06 pm My upgrade was similar to Kent’s, the 400 Ah of lithium, essentially 4x the capacity of the existing AGMs, is a game changer when coupled with a 3000 watt inverter.I used to never use the microwave or any electrical appliances because it was just a pain to crank up the generator to use them, now I use them much more frequently. Even have enough power to run the AC a bit during the day once the 850 watts of solar has me fully charged.Almost didn’t do the upgrade given the cost (almost $20k) but I can camp just about anywhere independent of power. 2 Likes
Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #38 – February 23, 2023, 09:52:08 pm Hi Dave. When I saw what Kent had, and I was faced with replacing my wet lead/acid batteries, the mental wheels started turning in earnest. I'm a career electronics technician. When Kent showed me the SOK batteries, with exactly the footprint I needed for the confined space of a 'TK, I knew what I had to do. My BalMar meter, new solar panels, and new PD4655 converter confirmed that I needed new batteries. Will Prowse convinced me that the SOK's, with the addition of a fresh water tank 12v heater stick on sheet would keep the batteries warm in cold weather. The Facon heater has an internal on/off disc switch, and could be trimmed for a perfect fit. Lots of Labor (capital 'L') and about $3k, leaves me with a well functioning electrical system. I didn't have room for a 3kw inverter, but a 2kw true sine wave inverter will still run the microwave or my wife's hair dryer. Plenty of power now for other toys. The air conditioner will have to remain a generator thing. I've carried around a tv for years. Didn't watch it much. A recent offer for a Dish Network roof or ground mounted self locating Eastern and Western Arc dish with Wally receiver caught me for long, remote trips. The Starlink is also interesting now. I had been planning some of these monetary outlays for a new Mid bath, but refurbishing the one I have, beats one that is now unavailable. The 'TK will have to last a bit longer. RonB 3 Likes
Re: AGM Battery Replacement Reply #39 – February 24, 2023, 04:30:05 pm First time in Quartzsite, Jan 2018, I realized a single 100W panel wasn't enough.Dan at Quality Solar (then in Fremont) added 2 180W & 1 100W panels and replaced the original AGMs for about $6200 in 2019. I opted not to include an inverter or Lithium batteries at that time for cost considerations. Was thinking of upgrades when Terry joined me in travels. Her comment about being OK with running the generator to run the hair dryer helped me decide further upgrades. Talking with Dan at Quality Solar (now in Rough & Ready CA and much closer) let me to install 300AH single lithium battery and 2K full sine wave generator under the sofa where it's nice and warm. The battery, inverter, AMPL start, Cat Strap and a few other things came to about $10K.First experiment after getting it back: chill the reefer from 70 deg with the inverter. Overnight freezer went to 3deg & fridge 41. Took 210 AH off the battery (down to 33%). Watched how long for solar to refresh battery, which was day 1 of a succession of 9 atmospheric rivers, it took a couple of days to recover. I did note that running the engine, the alternator was pushing about 45A to the system - quick recovery option.On our last trip Terry reported that her hair dryer only worked on low, but not high, power on the inverter......When we got home, the dryer still worked only on low power - time for a new dryer.YMMV 3 Likes
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Topic: AGM Battery Replacement (Read 845 times)
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