Newmar has told us that if we go away from the lead acid batteries that they have put in the coach from the plant then they will not help us if we have issues that arise from those wrong type of batteries.
There's so much to unpack there I don't even know where to start. If having consistent voltage is a problem, I'd like to know what they have installed that's designed to only work off technology from 1859. I would reach out to bigbeardbattery.com and have them help you out.
I have one 90Ah lead acid battery in our camper van and have all the power required for a couple nights. Couple of guidelines, run the frig on propane and if you need AC, find somewhere to plug in.
Sure wish you were closer so you could design a system for us. We have something right now....pieced together, but it does work for us, but I'm sure if tweeked just a bit could be so much better. Thanks for your videos
Big Beard Battery offers FREE solar design services for ALL RVers, not just those located in Texas. They can also help you find a local installer if you’re not the DIY type, but if you are - they can provide a diagram to assist! Check it out at www.bigbeardbatteries.com.
I’d like a comparison chart of your larger 24v battery vs the 12v … to know if day 4x12v 300 batteries is the same or similar to say ? 3x24v 460 batteries ?? Sorry I’m clueless… but looking at this and space is a consideration, thanks!
The closest we get to boondocking is a single overnight at Walmart and we consider 255ah the minimum battery bank you should have in order to not run out of battery in just one night.
I've got a 30amp Class C, 10amp gopower solar charger which does recognize lithium, rv came set up for a single 100w solar panel which i haven't installed yet... RV came with an AGM battery, but i was wondering if i could install 1-4 100amp lithium batteries(hoping for 400amp). Can i do that without having to rewire everything? Got into the panels around the kitchen area and saw some 4awg cables, kinda confused about having to upgrade the cables. Thanks ahead of time, love the videos!
You will need to replace all your battery cables to a thicker gauge. One of the biggest problems is when folks upgrade their device, controllers, inverters, batteries etc they only go with the minimum gauge size and then down the road when they upgrade something they have to replace all the battery cables again. Always try to go a little bigger on the cables. I just upgraded my 2200watt inverter to a 3000watt inverter and had to replace all the battery cables again : (
If you have a generator, you also need to make sure you have the crank amps to start the generator and many of the Lithium batteries do not have this. Also how do you winterize with Lithium batteries, do you take them in to store them in warmer area or are the okay to keep outside and let them drain down? Can lithium batteries get to hot or too cold when the weather turns, and then not work for you?
Generators don’t require anywhere near the cranking amps that cars do. An 100 aH lithium will start any generator no problem. RV Manufacturers wouldn’t be going to lithiums if they couldn’t start onboard generators. My RV has 400 aH lithium and sits in an unheated garage in the winter with everything hooked up. Not one issue in 3 years. A decent lithium battery will have temp protections built in and the newest ones even have built in heaters.
You can supplement charging capabilities during non-quiet hours with a genny at the same time. Large batteries like the ones he described should be able to handle 100+ ah each when being charged.
Love your videos, I have 2 AGM batteries (775 cranking hours, reserve @25Amp draw 120) would this be better than having 1-300amp Big Beard Lithium Battery?
Short answer is no. Long answer is LiFePo4s can handle a bigger discharge if needed, charge at least twice as fast, you don’t have to worry about discharge percentage until the at 10%. And they’ll last you likely 3 times as long. The only caveat is if you never park/camp without being plugged in then the old style batteries should be fine.
If im converting my lead acid battery to lithium, what should I do with my tow vehicle to protect the alternator from damage, my converter will automatically adapt
Nothing. Unless you're hooking up the batteries straight to your alternator for charging. Then a DC-DC charger is needed. If just running though the 7 pin you won't have any issue if you have a modern vehicle
@Frenchy5117 all 7 ways do charge but at a very slow rate of about 3 to 4 amps per hour...the 7 ways wiring is so small you don't have to do anything to the jeep unless you want to charge at a higher rate of let's say 20 to 50 amps per hour then you'll need a dc to dc charger heavier 4awg cable with anderson connectors and a fuse sized correctly to the charger size and of course making sure your alternator can handle that load as well
This will be in the future video line up! We had a full system on our Grand Design Momentum Toy Hauler but sold it about a year ago as we built a home. Picking up a new RV soon and will document the install and share the details. Thanks for asking!
Nothing about time-to-charge? The more batteries, the more time needed to charge. I have 800 AH of batteries (4 200AH D size) and my solar panels (1800 total watts) on a good day charges at 90 amps; takes 4 hours to fully charge my batteries when they are down 30%. I'm a full time RVer.
I thought about buying enough batteries to run my a/c for at least 10 hours, it draws on average about 1700 watts, 3200 watts at surge start up. To save money I wouldnt purchase solar panels or the things that go with solar. During the day I would use my generator for a couple of hours or 3 to keep the batteries charged. This is strictly a money saving idea. Because solar is only good as the sun. What does anyone think about that idea? Or put all my money into a really nice quiet box and then if no one can hear my generator there is no harm..
The recharging rate to replace the ah lost from that much usage will GREATLY depend on the size of converter/charger you have and if the new wire needed is gauged properly. I have a 3200w generator connected to a 65amp converter wired to my battery busbar with 0awg wire and still only get 48amps of charging. Combine it with the DC/DC charger connected to my truck at the same time I get as much as 82amps.
Thank you for all your videos and technical answers. I need to have you tell my wife I need more batteries and solar panels : )
Ha! Have your wife reach out to my wife, Mrs. Beard! She can share why it’s so important to have ALL the power! ;)
Newmar has told us that if we go away from the lead acid batteries that they have put in the coach from the plant then they will not help us if we have issues that arise from those wrong type of batteries.
There's so much to unpack there I don't even know where to start. If having consistent voltage is a problem, I'd like to know what they have installed that's designed to only work off technology from 1859. I would reach out to bigbeardbattery.com and have them help you out.
I have one 90Ah lead acid battery in our camper van and have all the power required for a couple nights. Couple of guidelines, run the frig on propane and if you need AC, find somewhere to plug in.
Sure wish you were closer so you could design a system for us. We have something right now....pieced together, but it does work for us, but I'm sure if tweeked just a bit could be so much better.
Thanks for your videos
Big Beard Battery offers FREE solar design services for ALL RVers, not just those located in Texas. They can also help you find a local installer if you’re not the DIY type, but if you are - they can provide a diagram to assist! Check it out at www.bigbeardbatteries.com.
I’d like a comparison chart of your larger 24v battery vs the 12v … to know if day 4x12v 300 batteries is the same or similar to say ? 3x24v 460 batteries ?? Sorry I’m clueless… but looking at this and space is a consideration, thanks!
Please reach out to Big Beard Battery at sales@bigbeardbatteries.com and that information can be provided!
The closest we get to boondocking is a single overnight at Walmart and we consider 255ah the minimum battery bank you should have in order to not run out of battery in just one night.
I have 125 AH battery bank and can easily go 3-4 days. It really depends on what you want to power.
@@JeffC-t8m We have a residential fridge and a 36ft motorhome so a lot of lights.
Last overnight we burned 105ah in less than 10h...
I've got a 30amp Class C, 10amp gopower solar charger which does recognize lithium, rv came set up for a single 100w solar panel which i haven't installed yet... RV came with an AGM battery, but i was wondering if i could install 1-4 100amp lithium batteries(hoping for 400amp). Can i do that without having to rewire everything? Got into the panels around the kitchen area and saw some 4awg cables, kinda confused about having to upgrade the cables. Thanks ahead of time, love the videos!
You will need to replace all your battery cables to a thicker gauge. One of the biggest problems is when folks upgrade their device, controllers, inverters, batteries etc they only go with the minimum gauge size and then down the road when they upgrade something they have to replace all the battery cables again. Always try to go a little bigger on the cables. I just upgraded my 2200watt inverter to a 3000watt inverter and had to replace all the battery cables again : (
@@EarlBalentinewho told you to upgrade? Math is your friend. Companies don’t put out their math.
If you have a generator, you also need to make sure you have the crank amps to start the generator and many of the Lithium batteries do not have this. Also how do you winterize with Lithium batteries, do you take them in to store them in warmer area or are the okay to keep outside and let them drain down? Can lithium batteries get to hot or too cold when the weather turns, and then not work for you?
Generators don’t require anywhere near the cranking amps that cars do. An 100 aH lithium will start any generator no problem. RV Manufacturers wouldn’t be going to lithiums if they couldn’t start onboard generators.
My RV has 400 aH lithium and sits in an unheated garage in the winter with everything hooked up. Not one issue in 3 years. A decent lithium battery will have temp protections built in and the newest ones even have built in heaters.
My 100ah LiFePo starts my F250. Accidentally discharged it one time.
Must have a large solar array and charger to replace all those AH’s used
You can supplement charging capabilities during non-quiet hours with a genny at the same time. Large batteries like the ones he described should be able to handle 100+ ah each when being charged.
True, but they charge 3x faster, if, you have the power. As you stated.
Love your videos, I have 2 AGM batteries (775 cranking hours, reserve @25Amp draw 120) would this be better than having 1-300amp Big Beard Lithium Battery?
Short answer is no. Long answer is LiFePo4s can handle a bigger discharge if needed, charge at least twice as fast, you don’t have to worry about discharge percentage until the at 10%. And they’ll last you likely 3 times as long.
The only caveat is if you never park/camp without being plugged in then the old style batteries should be fine.
Might be biased but any amount of Big Beard Batteries are better than another other brand! :)
I have only spot for 1 battery. Makes it difficult. Good old generator
One battery can give you 300 amp hours of power. If you're running one lead acid you're probably seeing 50. Might be worth it in the long run.
@@ToddandTonyshow to switch to lithium? And get a new converter?
8(300 ah batteries) 2,400 AH camper?????? I can't even imagine
If im converting my lead acid battery to lithium, what should I do with my tow vehicle to protect the alternator from damage, my converter will automatically adapt
You will need a dc to dc charger.
Most don’t have an issue. But that depends on your rig and its age.
Nothing. Unless you're hooking up the batteries straight to your alternator for charging. Then a DC-DC charger is needed. If just running though the 7 pin you won't have any issue if you have a modern vehicle
It's a 2020 jeep wrangler and I know it charges the battery thru the 7 pin
@Frenchy5117 all 7 ways do charge but at a very slow rate of about 3 to 4 amps per hour...the 7 ways wiring is so small you don't have to do anything to the jeep unless you want to charge at a higher rate of let's say 20 to 50 amps per hour then you'll need a dc to dc charger heavier 4awg cable with anderson connectors and a fuse sized correctly to the charger size and of course making sure your alternator can handle that load as well
Do you have a video showing your own RV setup?
Todd probably has Hoover Dam installed in his pass-thru
This will be in the future video line up! We had a full system on our Grand Design Momentum Toy Hauler but sold it about a year ago as we built a home. Picking up a new RV soon and will document the install and share the details. Thanks for asking!
Nothing about time-to-charge? The more batteries, the more time needed to charge. I have 800 AH of batteries (4 200AH D size) and my solar panels (1800 total watts) on a good day charges at 90 amps; takes 4 hours to fully charge my batteries when they are down 30%. I'm a full time RVer.
Maybe his next video he can explain how to figure How many solar panels would one need based on a particular panel.
I thought about buying enough batteries to run my a/c for at least 10 hours, it draws on average about 1700 watts, 3200 watts at surge start up. To save money I wouldnt purchase solar panels or the things that go with solar. During the day I would use my generator for a couple of hours or 3 to keep the batteries charged. This is strictly a money saving idea. Because solar is only good as the sun. What does anyone think about that idea? Or put all my money into a really nice quiet box and then if no one can hear my generator there is no harm..
The recharging rate to replace the ah lost from that much usage will GREATLY depend on the size of converter/charger you have and if the new wire needed is gauged properly.
I have a 3200w generator connected to a 65amp converter wired to my battery busbar with 0awg wire and still only get 48amps of charging. Combine it with the DC/DC charger connected to my truck at the same time I get as much as 82amps.