Lithium battery charging in cold weather - Montana Owners Club

Budman229 · 07-10-2022, 03:29 PM

We are planning on switching to lithium batteries for the RV. There are so many brands, options and prices. My current concern (of which I have many) is charging in below freezing temps. Is this a major issue or not something to worry about. Thanks.
Paul

RipNC · 07-10-2022, 04:49 PM

Most LiFePO4 batteries come with BMS (battery mgmt system) that shut them down if too cold/hot for charging. A work around is to add 12 volt heating to keep the batts warm (some come with onboard heaters). Some install a tank heater below the batteries.

My solution - I avoid the cold weather!

Budman229 · 07-10-2022, 06:25 PM

Thanks. We generally go to Fl. in December, but it does get cold before we go. I can probably figure out a heater for the battery compartment. Any recommendations as to brand? So many out there.

firestation12 · 07-10-2022, 11:19 PM

Check out Will Prowse's youtube channel. He has evaluated dozens of lithium batteries and can offer several affordable brands.

Lee-CI · 07-11-2022, 05:52 AM

Ditto on doing your research on Will Prowse's channel. You'll have to decide what is best for you, your needs and best for your budget. Good luck and happy camping ��

Added: My DW also found a Facebook group that just deal with Keystone SolarFlex.

Livermore · 07-11-2022, 05:38 PM

You have options. You can locate the batteries in a heated area of your rig, they do not off gas like lead acid batteries. You can heat the batteries with a blanket. You can buy batteries with heaters built into them. My batteries are in my basement and stay warm from the propane furnace.
They also have built in heaters.
Lithium batteries can discharge in cold weather and can more easily be stored in cold weather.
The BMS on a quality lithium battery should stop you from charging them when they are too cold. I believe it is not good for lead acid batteries to be charged when they are cold. Good news-Lithium charges much faster than lead acid batteries.
Keystone uses Dragon Fly/Battle Born batteries. High quality comes with a cost. Shop around. Size the system and get quality components.
Good luck.

I took the leap a year ago when I bought my Montana. One of my favorite features of my rig, Lithium Batteries. It is a whole new world for us.

Budman229 · 07-11-2022, 05:51 PM

I'm leaning towards Chins Smart batteries. It has low temp cutoff, internal heaters and Bluetooth. Will Prowse did a review on it and gave it good marks. Not bad for $550 each on Amazon. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Paul

Livermore · 07-11-2022, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budman229

I'm leaning towards Chins Smart batteries. It has low temp cutoff, internal heaters and Bluetooth. Will Prowse did a review on it and gave it good marks. Not bad for $550 each on Amazon. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Paul

Are you just switching batteries? Nothing else? We have a shunt that tells us our remaining capacity, works on Bluetooth, love it.
Looking to add to your system down the road? More capacity or solar?

Daryles · 07-11-2022, 06:10 PM

I made my own.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=87442

Budman229 · 07-11-2022, 06:16 PM

Just switching to lithium. Want to power the inverter longer.

Livermore · 07-11-2022, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budman229

Just switching to lithium. Want to power the inverter longer.

How big you going? How big is your inverter? What are you powering?
Lots of ways to charge batteries. LiBim, DC/DC, solar, generator, plugged in.
They do charge fast.
We dry camp about half the time. Use about 35% of my 540 AH overnight after the sun goes down. We use the electrical system like we are home. But use propane for heat, fridge, water. When solar kicks in we charge back up, generator would do the same for you, mine is just on the roof.

Budman229 · 07-12-2022, 07:35 AM

Just going to put in 2 100ah bats. The inverter is 2000 watts. We basically use it to power the residential frig. going down the road or when we have a power outage. The 2 year old original batteries don't seem to last very long.
Paul

Livermore · 07-12-2022, 08:23 AM

Nice plan. That is like having four lead acid batteries. And no voltage drop with lithium.

Will that get you to your destination without having to recharge? Seen some rigs with an extra charging cable linked to their truck alternator(s). DC/DC.

Budman229 · 07-12-2022, 08:46 AM

I believe it will. Someone on another forum said their frig. ran for over 10 hrs. on one 100ah battery.

RipNC · 07-12-2022, 08:48 AM

Don't connect lithium directly to your alternator! Use a dc/dc charger in between (I think that is what Nick meant). Lithium will suck down amperage and burn up an alternator. I use a 60 amp dc-dc charger that is powered by 1 gauge wire I ran from my main truck battery (2 batts) and controlled by a high amperage rated relay operated by an upfitter switch. I use an Anderson connector in the truck bed to a pigtail to the charger. I get better than 50 amps charging while going down the road. Charger is Renogy (prefer Victron but only goes to 30 amps). Have over 600Ahr of LiFePO4 and they will go from 65-70% SOC to 100% in a little over 3 hours of drive time.

Livermore · 07-12-2022, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RipNC

Don't connect lithium directly to your alternator! Use a dc/dc charger in between (I think that is what Nick meant). Lithium will suck down amperage and burn up an alternator. I use a 60 amp dc-dc charger that is powered by 1 gauge wire I ran from my main truck battery (2 batts) and controlled by a high amperage rated relay operated by an upfitter switch. I use an Anderson connector in the truck bed to a pigtail to the charger. I get better than 50 amps charging while going down the road. Charger is Renogy (prefer Victron but only goes to 30 amps). Have over 600Ahr of LiFePO4 and they will go from 65-70% SOC to 100% in a little over 3 hours of drive time.

Yes, DC/DC charger. With 200 AH, perhaps just a 20 amp unit? Doesn't sound like he needs it though.

Rip, never have seen a 60 amp DC/DC unit. You must have a large alternator(s). Heavy wire. The guys at Battle Born suggested a LiBim with a bigger battery system. So far, we have been doing well with 1200 watts of solar to recharge. We have 540 AH of lithium. But we are fair weather campers and never really tested the batteries in bad weather. I might invest in a truck charging system if I were to buy a new truck. I carry a little Honda 2k but have no on-board generator. Haven't used the Honda on the rig in a year.

Paul, I have been told to disconnect from truck if sitting for a long time. Lithium will continue to draw if it needs charging.

RipNC · 07-12-2022, 10:21 AM

Nick,
Ran 1 gauge from batt to bed (lots of creeper time under my truck), 4 gauge pigtail about 15' long from bed to charger. Alternator on my truck is 397 amp.

Also, my outfitter switches are set to only make the connection when the engine is running. I also run my AirLift compressor using upfitter switch.

Budman229 · 07-12-2022, 02:20 PM

With 2 100ah batteries and probably having shore power each night to charge when traveling, do I need to charge going down the road? Can I just disconnect the 12v charging wire from the pigtail? (in case you haven't guessed, I'm not an electrician)

Budman229 · 07-12-2022, 02:44 PM

My truck does have a "extra heavy duty alternator" which I read to mean 240 amps. Don't know if this makes a difference.

Lee-CI · 07-12-2022, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budman229

My truck does have a "extra heavy duty alternator" which I read to mean 240 amps. Don't know if this makes a difference.

Even with a heavy duty alternator, you will likely not see more than 5 to 7 amps at your 7-way plug. YMMV. I went ahead and ran the HD wiring from the TV batteries to a Renogy 40 amp DC-DC charger in the battery bay. One just needs to remember to engage BOTH resetable circuit breakers for charging while traveling. Don't ask me how I know....

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