I watch Todd videos because I want to learn about things that my friends and my local dealer/service does not know. Thank you NRVTA for providing these videos
I totally agree with Todd’s evaluations about the physics of two batteries vs 1. In my case I purposely went with 2 knowing the physics but for the same reason I have twin engines on my boat I did with my rv batteries. I have a backup for the just in case scenario. Stuff usually fails at the most inconvenient times.
Todd, Victron uses an external BMS that controls up to 20 batteries and keeps them balanced looking at all batteries. Seem that no one in the RV industry looks at Victron batteries. We uses the extensively in the marine industry and the are much lighter as well.
Another option is to bottom balance the individual lithium cells. For example, I built a pack with 8 180aH LiFePO cells from CALB, and started by bottom balancing each cell to 2.500v (yes, it’s very important to get millivolt precision, get a good voltmeter that is precise to 3 decimal places) and after 3 years and 27,000 miles of traveling (including two trips to California) the cells are still within 3 millivolts of each other. I have 900w of solar with a Victron MPPT charge controller, and that does a nice job of keeping the batteries in float when I’m not using the RV.
Todd is correct...the more batteries for the same amount of power thing everything will last long is a farce...I've had issues like balance issues and I ended replacing both batteries cuz one is Robbin the other 🤷great tech tips Todd keep them coming👍
What are the best practices for using and extending lifep04 battery life? Rely completely on the BMS and let solar or inverter constantly top off or use battery disconnect after complete charging? If so at what point of state of charge is best to begin another charging cycle? Thanks.
Please answer my question, if you upgrade to a 24 volt, how will your rv act if it came with a 12-volt battery? Do you have to upgrade the converter and all 12 lighting? I'm scratching my head all the time when i watch your videos about 24 volt or 48-volt systems. As you know by now reading this, I'm not a electrician. I don't google this stuff because i like learning and watch UA-cam videos like yours. When i retire in a year, i plan on doing more off the grid for weeks at a time. I have 4 6-volt golf cart batteries in my 5th wheel now for bigger storage of energy. Hope you can get to my question after you slam the keyboard warriors. LOL Thank you Todd for the other videos as well.
So there are a couple options. 1) Victron makes a DC/DC converter 24v to 12v. So it takes the 24volt a abd steps it down to 12volts for your 12volt needs. 2) you can leave the current 12v system for your 12volt needs and put in the 24volt system to operate independently of the 12volt system.
Battery question: When looking for replacement deep cycle batteries, it’s sometimes mentioned the number of cycles. a battery has. What is considered a cycle? Is it counted every time the charge is less than 100% or is it when it’s taken down to a specific percentage?
So a cycle generally is defined as a discharge to the maximum recommended state of charge and a complete recharge. So a lead acid battery is to discharge it to 12.0volts (50%) and a full recharge.
You talked about batteries in series. How does this work for batteries on parallel? I run two 12V AGM so does the brain analogy still fit? I would think not because out and in come off both together. But I don't know for certain. 😁
Thanks Todd, does a person really need to upgrade the converter if they go from lead acid to a lithium battery? I know the lead acid converter won't totally top off he lithium batteries but wouldn't it still work with just a little less capacity?
If I never boondock and am always plugged into shore power do I need a deep cycle in my rv? The only thing it's doing is sitting there waiting for the breakaway switch to be activated. Won't a cranking battery be just fine?
With your hands-on experience, I'd love to know how I could keep a video playing in one window while heavily switching in another window? Open Canvas seems to obscure the video window while multitasking in the other.
Todd I'm thinking of buying a lithium battery. If I use it at night is it ok to start the generator in the morning. Is it better to have a charger hooked up to the battery or just plug camper plugged into generator. My fridge is 12 volt only. Please help I have solar
Here is a question Im sure you have been asked but Ive never saw it.What about using Tesla batteries out of a car for house batteries? They hold alot of power and last a good long time.My thoughts on them is they can take up less space and put in places most batteries dont. Im asking cause this is my thoughts on doing this on a solar and batteries in my Class A. Or am off in left field??LOL. Thanks
Question I’m in the process of buying a new travel trailer that has a 200 watt solar panel 1800 watt inverter the unit comes with one lead acid battery it has a dual battery box should I have two batteries or one and what type of battery should I get
Just bought a used 2022 Thor Four Winds 28z. It has two mismatched 12v 100Ah batteries. I'm thinking of dropping in 2x 200Ah batteries. Would I have to upgrade the factory converter that charges the batteries?
I'll be doing an upgrade within the next 2 years from the factory AGM batteries (200)AH to lithium battery. Are there single lithium batteries with the same or more amp hours that are the same foot print as what I have. I have a Class B RV and the battery is mounted outside by the rear tires. Would you have any recommendations as to batteries? I understand if you don't give any. BTW you always give great explanations.
Good information, thank you Todd. I'm curious though, if you have multiple 12V lithium batteries in parallel, is there any benefit to rotating them? Sort of like regularly rotating your truck tires.
So lithium without the proper bms does gage a greater thermal run away potential. Typically EV vehicles as you brought up also use a different chemistry of lithium called Lithium Ion. It has a lower thermal runaway temp. We use Lithium Iron Phosphate that has a higher thermal runaway and a bms that protects the cells.
Just got a notice of a new video from your site. Clicked on it and it came up private video click here. Something that doesn't happen with you guys. Something smells funny so just letting you and others know.
![Deep Cycle Battery Charging with your Alternator: The 3 Best Options explained [+ Wiring Diagram]](/img/n.gif)
Lol, living witha a pocket knife. I love it!
I watch Todd videos because I want to learn about things that my friends and my local dealer/service does not know. Thank you NRVTA for providing these videos
I totally agree with Todd’s evaluations about the physics of two batteries vs 1. In my case I purposely went with 2 knowing the physics but for the same reason I have twin engines on my boat I did with my rv batteries. I have a backup for the just in case scenario. Stuff usually fails at the most inconvenient times.
😅 We are experiencing battery issues due to the cold and this is the tip that I needed.
Todd, Victron uses an external BMS that controls up to 20 batteries and keeps them balanced looking at all batteries. Seem that no one in the RV industry looks at Victron batteries. We uses the extensively in the marine industry and the are much lighter as well.
…meant converter.
Thanks Todd! The world is a better place for the knowledge that you share!
Love your comments about bragging 😅😅😅
Another option is to bottom balance the individual lithium cells. For example, I built a pack with 8 180aH LiFePO cells from CALB, and started by bottom balancing each cell to 2.500v (yes, it’s very important to get millivolt precision, get a good voltmeter that is precise to 3 decimal places) and after 3 years and 27,000 miles of traveling (including two trips to California) the cells are still within 3 millivolts of each other. I have 900w of solar with a Victron MPPT charge controller, and that does a nice job of keeping the batteries in float when I’m not using the RV.
Yes every single cell before putting them in series for a battery build.
Thanks Todd, so glad I replaced my (2) 6V lead acid batteries wired in series to (2) 12V lithium batteries in parallel. An upgrade on so many levels!
This is why I built a 48v battery bank with 16 3.2v 280ah prismatic cells and an Overkill BMS. Automatic cell balancing, problem solved.
Todd is correct...the more batteries for the same amount of power thing everything will last long is a farce...I've had issues like balance issues and I ended replacing both batteries cuz one is Robbin the other 🤷great tech tips Todd keep them coming👍
Thanks for sharing
What are the best practices for using and extending lifep04 battery life? Rely completely on the BMS and let solar or inverter constantly top off or use battery disconnect after complete charging? If so at what point of state of charge is best to begin another charging cycle? Thanks.
Please answer my question, if you upgrade to a 24 volt, how will your rv act if it came with a 12-volt battery? Do you have to upgrade the converter and all 12 lighting? I'm scratching my head all the time when i watch your videos about 24 volt or 48-volt systems. As you know by now reading this, I'm not a electrician. I don't google this stuff because i like learning and watch UA-cam videos like yours. When i retire in a year, i plan on doing more off the grid for weeks at a time. I have 4 6-volt golf cart batteries in my 5th wheel now for bigger storage of energy. Hope you can get to my question after you slam the keyboard warriors. LOL Thank you Todd for the other videos as well.
So there are a couple options.
1) Victron makes a DC/DC converter 24v to 12v. So it takes the 24volt a abd steps it down to 12volts for your 12volt needs.
2) you can leave the current 12v system for your 12volt needs and put in the 24volt system to operate independently of the 12volt system.
Thank you, Sir!@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy
Battery question: When looking for replacement deep cycle batteries, it’s sometimes mentioned the number of cycles. a battery has. What is considered a cycle? Is it counted every time the charge is less than 100% or is it when it’s taken down to a specific percentage?
So a cycle generally is defined as a discharge to the maximum recommended state of charge and a complete recharge.
So a lead acid battery is to discharge it to 12.0volts (50%) and a full recharge.
You talked about batteries in series. How does this work for batteries on parallel? I run two 12V AGM so does the brain analogy still fit? I would think not because out and in come off both together. But I don't know for certain. 😁
Thanks Todd, does a person really need to upgrade the converter if they go from lead acid to a lithium battery? I know the lead acid converter won't totally top off he lithium batteries but wouldn't it still work with just a little less capacity?
If I never boondock and am always plugged into shore power do I need a deep cycle in my rv? The only thing it's doing is sitting there waiting for the breakaway switch to be activated. Won't a cranking battery be just fine?
Good video.
With your hands-on experience, I'd love to know how I could keep a video playing in one window while heavily switching in another window? Open Canvas seems to obscure the video window while multitasking in the other.
Todd I'm thinking of buying a lithium battery. If I use it at night is it ok to start the generator in the morning. Is it better to have a charger hooked up to the battery or just plug camper plugged into generator. My fridge is 12 volt only. Please help I have solar
Here is a question Im sure you have been asked but Ive never saw it.What about using Tesla batteries out of a car for house batteries? They hold alot of power and last a good long time.My thoughts on them is they can take up less space and put in places most batteries dont. Im asking cause this is my thoughts on doing this on a solar and batteries in my Class A. Or am off in left field??LOL. Thanks
Question I’m in the process of buying a new travel trailer that has a 200 watt solar panel 1800 watt inverter the unit comes with one lead acid battery it has a dual battery box should I have two batteries or one and what type of battery should I get
Just bought a used 2022 Thor Four Winds 28z. It has two mismatched 12v 100Ah batteries. I'm thinking of dropping in 2x 200Ah batteries. Would I have to upgrade the factory converter that charges the batteries?
Hey Todd how about A tech tip on cleaning products IE floors, fabrics, and other surface??.
Todd, When replacing house AGM batteries with Lithium batteries, do the chasis batteries (on a motorhome) have to be replaced with lithium also?
What about Ecoflo systems
I have a question for you about a propane stove explosion in a camper. The accident is very close to home. Ease let me know if you reply.
I'll be doing an upgrade within the next 2 years from the factory AGM batteries (200)AH to lithium battery. Are there single lithium batteries with the same or more amp hours that are the same foot print as what I have. I have a Class B RV and the battery is mounted outside by the rear tires. Would you have any recommendations as to batteries? I understand if you don't give any. BTW you always give great explanations.
TODD; i HAVE 3 200 AMP Lithium batteries that are 3 years old with 1800 watts of solar, how do I test the batteries?
Good information, thank you Todd. I'm curious though, if you have multiple 12V lithium batteries in parallel, is there any benefit to rotating them? Sort of like regularly rotating your truck tires.
Can I get rid of my 2 lead acid batteries and replace them with a 200ah lithium
Todd YOU need a balancing system, you go back and forth and explain thins in a way that is confusing!
48v
Good comeback on the keyboard warriors. Lol
Are lithium batteries really safe - hear a lot of electric cars n bus fires n made in China 😊
So lithium without the proper bms does gage a greater thermal run away potential. Typically EV vehicles as you brought up also use a different chemistry of lithium called Lithium Ion. It has a lower thermal runaway temp.
We use Lithium Iron Phosphate that has a higher thermal runaway and a bms that protects the cells.
@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy thanks for the reply have a good day
Just got a notice of a new video from your site. Clicked on it and it came up private video click here. Something that doesn't happen with you guys. Something smells funny so just letting you and others know.
Thank you but definitely not us
How about I don't even know what kind of battery I have😂😂
You are not alone. Many do not.