Lithium battery installation

Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic

   After having my two Interstate batteries die after five days of boondockimg in our 192, using only water pump and frig fan, along with the wife charging watch and iPad, I am considering a 200ah lithium battery installation. I am looking at the same unit that Stephan installed in his Rpod. 
I have checked on line and it appears that my original inverter/converter will accommodate the lithium battery. 

My question is: how is the best way to attach the needed long negative battery cable. Should it go all the way back to the red battery/on/off knob? If so will that on/off unit accept that size cable? Or what proper method should be used?

Thanks in advance,

Bill

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
Geezerbill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Jul 2022 Location: Puyallup, Wa Online Status: Offline Posts: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote Geezerbill Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Lithium battery installation Posted: 06 Aug 2023 at 11:00pm
	After having my two Interstate batteries die after five days of boondockimg in our 192, using only water pump and frig fan, along with the wife charging watch and iPad, I am considering a 200ah lithium battery installation. I am looking at the same unit that Stephan installed in his Rpod. I have checked on line and it appears that my original inverter/converter will accommodate the lithium battery. My question is: how is the best way to attach the needed long negative battery cable. Should it go all the way back to the red battery/on/off knob? If so will that on/off unit accept that size cable? Or what proper method should be used? Thanks in advance, Bill

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3220	Post Options Post Reply Quote jato Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Aug 2023 at 9:07pm
	Interesting to hear about your Interstate batteries. Hopefully you got a full refund on them. We normally boondock and go 6-7 days with our two 12v batteries when night temps are in the 40's and the furnace is running a lot. Also we do not utilize solar or generator. Oldest battery is a 12+ year old Interstate group size 24 deep cycle, the newer one is a 3 year old Trojan T-1275 that gives 160AH. Battery is changed when it drops to 12.2v and is then recharged as we travel.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Geezerbill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Jul 2022 Location: Puyallup, Wa Online Status: Offline Posts: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote Geezerbill Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Aug 2023 at 10:27pm
	I still have them. And the most recent trip they held up quite well. Although, we did not charge the iPad or Apple Watch through them. We also always are extremely careful how much power in the Rpod that we use. Years ago, in our Timberline trailer, two Interstate group 24 deep cycle batteries would last us two full weeks, again being extremely careful of useage.

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Post Options Post Reply Quote StephenH Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Aug 2023 at 11:55pm
	Question: Did you by any chance turn the TV's booster on? That would be a power draw that might help explain the power use during the previous trip. If it was really hot and the fan behind the refrigerator was running constantly, that would also use power. If you ran the vent fan, that is another draw. Do you have a clamp-on multimeter that can read DC as well as AC Amperes? You could use that to see what is drawing power. I have a Southwire one. It isn't as good as a Fluke one, but it is pretty good overall and much more affordable. https://www.amazon.com/Southwire-Equipment-21550T-Built-Tester/dp/B07HB9W8CX/
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Geezerbill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Jul 2022 Location: Puyallup, Wa Online Status: Offline Posts: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote Geezerbill Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 2023 at 9:22am
	Stephen, I removed the TV as neither of us wanted it as we very seldom camp with hookups. It was also over the dinette seat and alway hitting my head on it. The fridge fan does run quite a bit but not nearly constantly. We have. Or run the vent fan. So far only camping in National Parks with no hook ups. Thanks for the link to the amp meter. Will put it on my Amazon wish list….with a hundred other items🙄.

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Post Options Post Reply Quote StephenH Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 2023 at 9:26am
	It will help you with trying to figure out what is using power. You can connect it and then pull fuses one at a time to see which circuit is drawing power and how much. It is a good diagnostic tool.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS