I know this subject has been done to death but Im still no wiser. My van has 2/200 panels TPS555-1230 Solar controller a ST20-11 or ST35-11 POWER SUPPLY. This runs 2-100 A/H batteries that have died I want to replace these with a110 to 120 lithium battery. I don't think I have a battery charger but if I do I doubt it would be suitable.Can I fit a charger then use adrop in battery like a Solarking 120 orITECHWORLD 100 THEY ARE ADVERTISING AT THE MOMENT.Am I heading in the right direction or have I lost the plot? Thanks Bob Bear
Peter_n_Margaret said
09:50 PM Feb 21, 2020
What do you expect to gain from Lithium batteries?
Cheers,
Peter
BOBBEAR said
09:44 AM Feb 22, 2020
Peter, I have a problem with tow ball weight & replacing 2 dead AGMs at between 60/70 kgs for a single lithium at around 18/20 kgs and similar power supply made sense. BOB BEAR.
Peter_n_Margaret said
09:56 AM Feb 22, 2020
Yes, lithium will reduce the battery weight significantly, but I suggest that you will also need to buy a decent quality solar controller too. I would not use the one you have for any battery, let alone lithiums.
What do you run from the batteries?
Cheers,
Peter
BOBBEAR said
10:13 AM Feb 22, 2020
PETER Hi I run lights & sometimes the fridge.
Peter_n_Margaret said
10:33 AM Feb 22, 2020
I would question your need for 200Ah of batteries.
You could install a new 100Ah battery for about $250 and save 30kg, but I would still consider a better solar controller.
Shifting the batteries rearwards will also reduce the tow ball weight.
Cheers,
Peter
Whenarewethere said
10:54 AM Feb 22, 2020
Not batteries, but have you had a seriously hard look at everything else you are carrying to reduce weight.
BOBBEAR said
11:12 AM Feb 22, 2020
Im not looking for 200a/h that's why I posted Iwas after 100-120 a/h lithium.I was quoted $500 each for 100A/H gel batteries as this was supposedly the best answer to my problem according to the local expert here.What would you suggest is a good solar controller? The batteries have been moved forward as far as they can go. Bob
BOBBEAR said
11:19 AM Feb 22, 2020
Hi. I don't need a lot but as my batteries are dead & need replacing I thought it a good chance to kill two birds with one stone & to upgrade. Bob
Peter_n_Margaret said
12:24 PM Feb 22, 2020
BOBBEAR wrote:
Im not looking for 200a/h that's why I posted Iwas after 100-120 a/h lithium.I was quoted $500 each for 100A/H gel batteries as this was supposedly the best answer to my problem according to the local expert here.What would you suggest is a good solar controller? The batteries have been moved forward as far as they can go. Bob
I would never suggest the use of gel batteries in an RV application. They are more particular in their charge requirements compared with AGMs and good quality AGMs can be purchased for $250 per 100Ah.
Shift weight rearwards to reduce ball weight.
I would probably choose a Victron MPPT controller. They can have the charge voltages set by the user so are suitable for any battery chemistry and be set to exactly the battery maker's recommendations.
Cheers,
Peter
Whenarewethere said
01:28 PM Feb 22, 2020
I use 4 x 26ah gel batteries, basically for a 28L Waeco, it's all I can fit in the car. All the gear I have is Victron, very happy with it, & you have the battery state and adjustments on your mobile.
MPPT 100/20, 10amp battery charger, DC-DC 9amp x 2 in parallel.
Muskat55 said
02:05 PM Feb 22, 2020
It is interesting that the person most qualified to answer questions on lithium has beenbanned from the forum.....why?
Jaahn said
04:25 PM Feb 22, 2020
Muskat55 wrote:
It is interesting that the person most qualified to answer questions on lithium has been banned from the forum.....why?
Hi Muskat55
I do not know why that person was banned but he skated close to the edge on lots of occasions IMHO. And whether or not he is the most qualified to answer is also up for debate. You need an open mind for a good answer to any question
However if you and Bobbear want to know what he thinks about the lithium batteries mentioned then just go back to some of the discussion he participated in. He had something to say about what he thought of them.
Jaahn
Brenda and Alan said
07:32 PM Feb 22, 2020
I think the setec ST 20 or 30 would be OK with a drop in Lithium battery. Its out put voltage of 12.7 volts is not going to damage it as it has done to your AGM battery. But to get the most out of your drop in Lithium a charger that can be programmed to a lithium profile with no more than 14.3 volts max would be the way to charge it properly. The Solar king battery has a built in battery management system which will prevent over charging and over discharging. The solar regulator you have should be OK with a drop in Lithium as well, but I would run the loads direct from the battery not the controller.
Alan
Sorry about the typo on setec voltage I missed it in reading my post. Have changed from 16.7 to the correct figure of 12.7 volts. -- Edited by Brenda and Alan on Saturday 22nd of February 2020 07:40:05 PM
-- Edited by Brenda and Alan on Sunday 23rd of February 2020 08:26:53 AM
Kiwoz said
09:02 PM Feb 22, 2020
Bobbear, This subject was broached by you a few days ago and you have not responded to the reply given by myself. The installation in the tow vehicle used 4 100 ahr CALB cells charged by a CTEK D250s and 2 years on it's a happy unit. All the best, B.
Dhutime said
12:10 AM Feb 25, 2020
Muskat55 wrote:
It is interesting that the person most qualified to answer questions on lithium has beenbanned from the forum.....why?
Is this true ? I hope NOT
Phillipn said
07:40 AM Feb 25, 2020
Dhutime wrote:
Muskat55 wrote:
It is interesting that the person most qualified to answer questions on lithium has beenbanned from the forum.....why?
Is this true ? I hope NOT
This persons details are easy to find, do a search and you will find him, I did.
beiffe said
03:52 PM Feb 26, 2020
Terry was banned for trying to give hard gained knowledge and information freely to help people. It is up to the people here to now find their own way as most that have gone Lithium with Terry will not post any information either. Even in this thread there is information we know is not correct but not sticking my neck out to correct.
Muskat55 said
07:39 PM Feb 26, 2020
The problem is forums such as these tend to be run by self satisfied cliques, who are not going to let the facts get in the way of their power trips(nice pun)
Muskat55 said
07:41 PM Feb 26, 2020
The problem is forums such as these tend to be run by self satisfied cliques, who are not going to let the facts get in the way of their power trips(nice pun) In every aspect of life free speech seems to be under threat unfortunately.
Peter_n_Margaret said
08:06 PM Feb 26, 2020
In this case, the forum is run by its owner.
Cheers,
Peter
Dhutime said
11:24 PM Feb 26, 2020
Well all I can say its a sad situation with Terry gone . I have had dealings with him and also read most of his posts on here, most of what goes way over my head, but I have learnt that Terry knows his stuff when it comes to Lithium systems in caravans . He certainly was not at any time on a power trip. To me he is very knowledgeable and happy to pass some of it on to forum members.
Dhutime
Muskat55 said
07:52 AM Feb 27, 2020
This forum has diminished at least 90% in value with Terry's banning by the thought police.
Bow said
08:30 AM Feb 27, 2020
beiffe wrote:
Terry was banned for trying to give hard gained knowledge and information freely to help people. It is up to the people here to now find their own way as most that have gone Lithium with Terry will not post any information either. Even in this thread there is information we know is not correct but not sticking my neck out to correct.
People that want the correct information should contact Terry, information on this forum could lead to expensive problems.
Tony Bev said
09:06 AM Feb 27, 2020
I was unaware that T1 Terry had been banned
I found that although most of his posts went over my head, they were much more informative, than the salesmen talk, from the drop in lithium battery sellers
The only dealings I had with Terry, was
He gave me, free of charge, (not even postage), some one way diodes
I used what I required, and passed the rest onto another forum member
I put my hand up to ask, can he be un-banned
Phillipn said
10:38 AM Feb 27, 2020
Their have in the past been a lot of do-gooders posting that he was advertising his goods.
Never had I seen an address of contact details in his posts.
He knows more than the rest of us about lithium power. His valued information will be missed.
The Travelling Dillberries said
07:52 PM Feb 27, 2020
Has this helped BOBBEAR or are you still confused?
BOBBEAR said
05:08 PM Mar 3, 2020
G Day Dillberries. Yes Im still confused a lot of the answerers don't read the question. Ive replaced the 2 dud 100ah with a single120ah lithium & using my existing controller &power supply which supposedly will cope. Thanks BOB BEAR
The Travelling Dillberries said
05:16 PM Mar 3, 2020
BOBBEAR wrote:
G Day Dillberries. Yes Im still confused a lot of the answerers don't read the question. Ive replaced the 2 dud 100ah with a single120ah lithium & using my existing controller &power supply which supposedly will cope. Thanks BOB BEAR
Yes, thats what I thought. What brand did you buy? (only answer if you wish to continue the discussion)
BOBBEAR said
10:15 AM Mar 4, 2020
I used a120 ah from ITECH WORLD in Perth.Good guarantee,advice & plenty of positive endorsements. I placed the order on the wed night. it arrived in Port Macquarie on Tuesday morning. So far so good. I took a leap of faith with this because it was doing my head in with so many combative replies.
I know this subject has been done to death but Im still no wiser. My van has 2/200 panels TPS555-1230 Solar controller a ST20-11 or ST35-11 POWER SUPPLY. This runs 2-100 A/H batteries that have died I want to replace these with a110 to 120 lithium battery. I don't think I have a battery charger but if I do I doubt it would be suitable.Can I fit a charger then use adrop in battery like a Solarking 120 orITECHWORLD 100 THEY ARE ADVERTISING AT THE MOMENT.Am I heading in the right direction or have I lost the plot? Thanks Bob Bear
Cheers,
Peter
What do you run from the batteries?
Cheers,
Peter
You could install a new 100Ah battery for about $250 and save 30kg, but I would still consider a better solar controller.
Shifting the batteries rearwards will also reduce the tow ball weight.
Cheers,
Peter
Not batteries, but have you had a seriously hard look at everything else you are carrying to reduce weight.
Hi. I don't need a lot but as my batteries are dead & need replacing I thought it a good chance to kill two birds with one stone & to upgrade. Bob
I would never suggest the use of gel batteries in an RV application. They are more particular in their charge requirements compared with AGMs and good quality AGMs can be purchased for $250 per 100Ah.
Shift weight rearwards to reduce ball weight.
I would probably choose a Victron MPPT controller. They can have the charge voltages set by the user so are suitable for any battery chemistry and be set to exactly the battery maker's recommendations.
Cheers,
Peter
I use 4 x 26ah gel batteries, basically for a 28L Waeco, it's all I can fit in the car. All the gear I have is Victron, very happy with it, & you have the battery state and adjustments on your mobile.
MPPT 100/20, 10amp battery charger, DC-DC 9amp x 2 in parallel.
Hi Muskat55
I do not know why that person was banned but he skated close to the edge on lots of occasions IMHO. And whether or not he is the most qualified to answer is also up for debate. You need an open mind for a good answer to any question
However if you and Bobbear want to know what he thinks about the lithium batteries mentioned then just go back to some of the discussion he participated in. He had something to say about what he thought of them.
Jaahn
I think the setec ST 20 or 30 would be OK with a drop in Lithium battery. Its out put voltage of 12.7 volts is not going to damage it as it has done to your AGM battery. But to get the most out of your drop in Lithium a charger that can be programmed to a lithium profile with no more than 14.3 volts max would be the way to charge it properly. The Solar king battery has a built in battery management system which will prevent over charging and over discharging. The solar regulator you have should be OK with a drop in Lithium as well, but I would run the loads direct from the battery not the controller.
Alan
Sorry about the typo on setec voltage I missed it in reading my post. Have changed from 16.7 to the correct figure of 12.7 volts.
-- Edited by Brenda and Alan on Saturday 22nd of February 2020 07:40:05 PM
-- Edited by Brenda and Alan on Sunday 23rd of February 2020 08:26:53 AM
Is this true ? I hope NOT
This persons details are easy to find, do a search and you will find him, I did.
Cheers,
Peter
Dhutime
People that want the correct information should contact Terry, information on this forum could lead to expensive problems.
I found that although most of his posts went over my head, they were much more informative, than the salesmen talk, from the drop in lithium battery sellers
The only dealings I had with Terry, was
He gave me, free of charge, (not even postage), some one way diodes
I used what I required, and passed the rest onto another forum member
I put my hand up to ask, can he be un-banned
Their have in the past been a lot of do-gooders posting that he was advertising his goods.
Never had I seen an address of contact details in his posts.
He knows more than the rest of us about lithium power. His valued information will be missed.
Has this helped BOBBEAR or are you still confused?
Yes, thats what I thought. What brand did you buy? (only answer if you wish to continue the discussion)