Switching to Lithium Iron Battery

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   I'm seriously considering switching from my two 6v golf cart batteries to a lithium iron battery. I like just about everything about the lithiums, especially the light weight. I'm almost always off-grid, use a 100 watt solar panel to charge, took out the tv and microwave, and the AC has never been turned on in my 2016 172. I know those things require 110, but my point is that I use very little juice, mostly lights and stereo, with occasional furnace fan use. 
So my question is, will a 100ah battery be sufficient and since I live in cold country should I go for the self heating option. And any advice on preferred brands?

Thanks in advance and I'm glad you guys are willing to share your knowledge and wisdom with me.

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IdahoBoy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 24 Oct 2015 Location: Ketchum, Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Post Options Post Reply Quote IdahoBoy Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Switching to Lithium Iron Battery Posted: 22 Mar 2022 at 4:24pm
	I'm seriously considering switching from my two 6v golf cart batteries to a lithium iron battery. I like just about everything about the lithiums, especially the light weight. I'm almost always off-grid, use a 100 watt solar panel to charge, took out the tv and microwave, and the AC has never been turned on in my 2016 172. I know those things require 110, but my point is that I use very little juice, mostly lights and stereo, with occasional furnace fan use. So my question is, will a 100ah battery be sufficient and since I live in cold country should I go for the self heating option. And any advice on preferred brands? Thanks in advance and I'm glad you guys are willing to share your knowledge and wisdom with me.

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: 6298	Post Options Post Reply Quote StephenH Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 2022 at 5:24pm
	If you put it inside, which is something I recommend, you should not need the heating option. Only if you know the battery will need to be charged in temperatures below 32F would it be prudent to go with the self-heating option. It will use some of the battery's power to heat itself. You could go for the name brand which will cost you more. Instead of flat out recommending brands, check the specs and more particularly the warranty. Don't get fooled by terminology that says the maker will provide service support for X number of years. You want to see the actual warranty period. Then make your choice on the most bang you can get for your buck.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

IdahoBoy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 24 Oct 2015 Location: Ketchum, Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Post Options Post Reply Quote IdahoBoy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 2022 at 5:33pm
	Thanks, will one 100ah battery be sufficient for my low-demand use?

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Post Options Post Reply Quote offgrid Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 2022 at 6:01pm
	To see if 100 amp hours is enough, And assuming you currently have about 200AH, be sure your existing batteries are fully charged, then run your normal loads for 24 hours. Then disconnect your loads and any charging sources and wait an hour. Measure your dual golf cart battery voltage. If that is around 12.3 or higher then youre at greatr than 50% state of charge so you would have at least a day of storage with 100 amp hours. Will a day of storage be enough? No if you're relying entirely on solar while boondocking. If you have a couple cloudy days in a row you'll be out of juice. I'd want at least 2 days storage with no generator as a solar backup. To see if you'll have 2 days with 100AH just run your loads for 48 hours, then check your battery voltage as above.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

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: 6298	Post Options Post Reply Quote StephenH Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 2022 at 9:28am
	One other consideration is that LiFePO4 batteries can be discharged to a much greater depth than lead-acid batteries without damage. From what I read above, it sounds like you have very low power needs. That being the case, I think that 100 AH would be sufficient. On 12V, you would not be running the AC, Convection Microwave, or TV anyway (possibly the TV if you use a small inverter). LED lighting is very low power use. Stereo is low power use. Furnace is higher use, but if you are not trying to turn the inside of your RPod into a sauna, it can be reasonable. Except for the one time I tried to run the old refrigerator on battery power, I have not run short of power. We don't go and sit in one spot for very long though. That makes a difference. Offgrid's advice about how to see if it will be sufficient is good. On a 100AH battery we have been multiple days during mild weather with no problems. In addition to lights, we run a small fan, charge phones with a USB plug I installed, and run CPAP machines (with humidifier turned off for lower power use). If you are not running any of the higher power need devices, you will need to monitor the state of charge. Check out my mods for the meter I installed as well as the DC to DC charger for charging while towing. Your tow vehicle's charging system will not adequately charge the LiFePO4 battery, so you will need to make sure it can be charged or you may end up arriving at your boondocking location with a battery that is insufficiently charged for your stay.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS