May I ask how your heater for the rv lithium battery bank is working. Have you considered placing one on each side of the batteries. Thanks for your video and have a great day.
Thank you! I could not figure out why I could brew coffee in my Keurig (plugged into my Jackery) when the van was warm, but in the morning in freezing temperatures nothing. So frustrating! I pulled out an old seedling heat pad that I have and will see if solves my problem. Based on info in this video I suspect it will.
Have you ever measured how long it takes raise the battery temperature say 10F? My plan is to install the same product you show in a box that has two 100 Ah lithiums. Plan is to power up the pad from the batteries a few hours before trip. Of course as soon as the batteries reach 32f I can power everything up and top of the batteries. Glad you made the video. Assume everything worked as you planned since you made this 7 years ago. Thanks
I did something similar. I put two of them along side my two LiPo4 batteries but I did not wire them directly to the camper. I purchased the H&G lifestyles RV Holding Tank Heater Pads with 110 extension cords and plug them into a 110 Thermostatically Controlled Outlet inside the battery compartment. I don't intend like you said, leave them on during the summer. I just wanted something that I can drop inside the battery box and plug it in to my existing 110 extension cord that feeds my 30 amp when parked over winter. We don't camp in the winter unless it is someplace warm. So I did not see the need to be permanently attach it.
I just bought a 280AH Lithium Iron battery and would like a heating pad but not sure which one and why did you not stick it to the battery? I see many have self adhesive? If I built a box for the battery I can just drop the pad on the side without sticking it directly to the battery?
Thanks. Cool solution! Question - does your inverter go through your fuse box? Or, is the connection directly from the battery bank to the inverter? Thx!
Could this be used with a solar panel? I have a solar electric pontoon boat with a 2 battery boxes of 4 Tesla batteries in a deck box. In winter storage, I'd love to not have to move the boxes to indoors as each are 120 pounds!
Thanks for the video. We are trying to solve this issue, as well. We have four of these batteries arranged in a square inside a compartment. Do you think placing the warming pad along the panel next to two of the batteries would warm the ambient temperature inside the whole (small) compartment enough to protect the two batteries not immediately adjacent to the pad? There is not a good spot for another pad on the back wall. Thank you so much for any insight!
Hey, great video... my battery management system gave me the orange warning light although battery was fully charged. Im thinking it was because it was 15-20 degrees over the weekend with no heat ! Can you relate to this? If so, I'd appreciate some feedback, sir.
This is much cheaper then paying an extra 120-125 cost on new lithium batteries with low temp sensory. It seems batteries without low temp average around 250-300 but with 489-500 or so. Thank you !
Even at the 400-500 mark those ones are not trustworthy, once you get into the $800 for a single 100ah Lithium that’s how you can tell it actually has the low temp and heaters
Could you hook that up straight to the battery to power the heating pad? Then just unhook when it gets up to temp? My layout is kinda funky and that would be the easiest solution if possible.
@@thrivans Renogy now makes a self heating lithium battery for about $50-100 more than the their similar non self heating. They're still a bit out of my price range and I was looking at cheaper lithium batteries (namely Rebel) but they don't have the self heating option.
I have four BattleBorn 100Ah batteries, thus this might be a good option as well for us. I wouldn't imagine this pad would handle having the batteries sitting 'on' the pad would it? My thinking, with 'heat rising' it could heat the base, and heat the upward batteries enough as well to allow charging? The way my batteries sit, they are 14" X 24" so the pads (if used along their side) really are not long enough. I'm wondering if I just had the pads along the sides of the batteries (longwise, with nothing on the ends) if that might be an option? Still lots to consider, as to what would be the best solution for my setup!
@@dalewatkins9889 Depending on how cold it gets, I think that you will be fine. I only have one BattleBorn battery. I'll put a piece of Super TUFF-R insulation (fire block as well) between the floor and the bottom of the battery. I'll attach the heater to sheet of aluminum that will sit tight against the side of the battery. Should work fine.
I wanted to heat my batteries with a pad as well, but I am concerned that the bottom will be warm and the tops still too cold and that I could possibly damage the battery.
I have installed one, glued it to a plexiglass and sat the batteries on top, only worked for 5 days the heating pad burnt out and almost caused a fire !!!, the heating pad was sitting on styrofoam and melted the foam board, if using this heating pad maybe leave and air gap between the underside and the bottom or side wall, in my case i had wrapped the box with foam board to keep the heat in.
Get a 280 ah lifepo4 cells, wrap it in the heating pad . Which is perfect temperature range for lifepo4 since 14 6v charging current is typical for lifepo4 and automotive alternator charges at 14.2 which means they will never get charged to full capacity which will extend it's life 7-10 years.
That's 120 Amp hours in a 24 hour period, that's a lot of energy. Would always have to be charging just to keep the batteries warm. In 3 days it could drain all your batteries.
Wait, a 6 amp draw is 144 amp hours after just one day. Unless you are plugged in to shore power, this doesn’t seem like a great solution. I realize that once the compartment is warm, the pad will shut off so let’s say it will consume 144 amp hours in two days.
Your calculations seem pretty about right. I have solar, so that keeps my batteries topped off, as long as it’s not cloudy. I also keep my rig plugged into shore power during winter when it’s parked at my house. It’s not ideal, but better than having my batteries freeze.
It’s absolutely better than freezing. I don’t have a lithium set up yet for an RV I’m thinking of buying in a few years. I live in cold climates in the winter. It looks like the only solution if I want lithium in the camper for winter storage is to remove the batteries. I have a small camper now and I use flooded batteries on a battery minder for winter storage and that works fine. But if I upsize to a “real” rig I might not be able to store the rig behind my house for storage. Secondly I have a friend who has a solar powered off-grid cabin. In the winter, the panels are often snow covered. He needs to replace his batteries next winter season and currently uses AGM. I don’t think a lithium solution will work since there might be solar charging in deep cold which will hurt the lithium set. He can’t heat them since it might be two weeks before he goes out to the cabin to recharge by generator. I think he will be stuck buying flooded or AGM again despite our love for the lithium performance.
@@rogerkarlinski3779 Don't quote me but I don't think lithium batteries get damaged by just being stored in the cold. Might just be good to turn them off (many have this option, shelf mode) or disconnect them. The problems come when they try to charge when they're too cold (or if its way too cold when they try to discharge).
@@kevinseverson3397 There is storage limits on lithium even when they are not being charged or discharged. They will get damaged at something like -4F or so, depending on the manufacturer and the types of individual cells used in the design.
Recap of the discussion with @Michael Ward so other readers don't have to scroll through any emotional nonsense: a pad with a thermostat closer to the top of an enclosed space will turn off prior to any redundant thermostat with a sensor placed at the bottom of an enclosed space. Had Mr. Ward suggested a small circulating fan attached to a thermostat or placed in-line with the existing thermostat then I may have been on board with his 'suggestion'. Although, unless the thermostat in the pad fails, a small circulating fan that blows air downward is the only improvement that would ensure the existing thermostat doesn't turn off the pad prior to the ambient temperature desired.
Instead of a switch, connect to a thermostat. A lot of electronic thermostat switches have both normally open as well as normally closed contacts and can run off 12V - 24V. Just make sure you get one with the contact ratings with high enough current for your heating pad.
@@gregsReply The problem with a lot of these devices is that it measures the temperature local to where ever you place the device. You have it placed above the batteries, whereas the cold starts at the bottom of the box. The idea of a remote thermostat is two fold. First the only switch you would need is an isolator switch, given the external thermostat would turn the power on or off. Secondly the placement at the base of the batteries would allow for better temperature control. A lot of charge controllers have a thermostat port, which allows the charger to reduce the current when the temperature at the battery goes below a set limit. Something that is paramount for Lithium celled batteries. A thermostat set at the bottom of the batteries will help enormously, in saving you money. A good indicator that although the box has dropped in temperature, is that the the batteries are going to be colder a good time before the device sees that low temperature, so a thermostat at/on the battery base is advisable. I Just don't want to see your good work be marred by something easily overcome. Just as an aside, lining the battery compartments with fire resistant insulation would also help to stabilise the temperature and reduce the amount of time the heater is on for.
@@michaelward402 Guess you didn't watch that part either, 1:50 . Placed next to the batteries. Guess you're a thermostat and insulation salesman. What is the R factor of wood covered in plastic?
@@gregsReply Not a sales rep just a design engineer and only trying to help based on professional design experience. Your video shows the unit near to the batteries to one side to be accurate and by you video at 5:05 on it shows you screwing a unit to the side of the wooden box. As far as insulation is concerned I said it would help to stabilise the temperature, which in essence has a far better R rating than wood alone. I merely gave advice and nothing I have staid detracts from what I see as a decent basic job.
@@michaelward402 Guess your a design engineer for the space shuttle, redundant thermostat, redundant insulation. Not my vid by the way, just a general engineer picking on a design engineer that's trying to complicate a simple and working solution.
Thanks so much. Looking forward to doing the same for my set up. Nice quick presentation. Happy travels
I agree, a great solution mate!
Rad! will definitely be using this for my LiFePO4 batteries on the travel trailer. Thanks for the idea!
Thanks , will try this on my surron battery this winter
May I ask how your heater for the rv lithium battery bank is working. Have you considered placing one on each side of the batteries. Thanks for your video and have a great day.
Thank you! I could not figure out why I could brew coffee in my Keurig (plugged into my Jackery) when the van was warm, but in the morning in freezing temperatures nothing. So frustrating! I pulled out an old seedling heat pad that I have and will see if solves my problem. Based on info in this video I suspect it will.
Have you ever measured how long it takes raise the battery temperature say 10F? My plan is to install the same product you show in a box that has two 100 Ah lithiums. Plan is to power up the pad from the batteries a few hours before trip. Of course as soon as the batteries reach 32f I can power everything up and top of the batteries. Glad you made the video. Assume everything worked as you planned since you made this 7 years ago. Thanks
Hello, just wondering how your diy heater is working for you?
I did something similar. I put two of them along side my two LiPo4 batteries but I did not wire them directly to the camper. I purchased the H&G lifestyles RV Holding Tank Heater Pads with 110 extension cords and plug them into a 110 Thermostatically Controlled Outlet inside the battery compartment. I don't intend like you said, leave them on during the summer. I just wanted something that I can drop inside the battery box and plug it in to my existing 110 extension cord that feeds my 30 amp when parked over winter. We don't camp in the winter unless it is someplace warm. So I did not see the need to be permanently attach it.
Do you feel it would be safe to mount the pad under the batteries?
I just bought a 280AH Lithium Iron battery and would like a heating pad but not sure which one and why did you not stick it to the battery? I see many have self adhesive? If I built a box for the battery I can just drop the pad on the side without sticking it directly to the battery?
thanks for you post
The inverter, controller and other electrics keeps mine warm, also exhaust fans can be wired with a dual polarity switch to blow air in or out.
Thanks. Cool solution! Question - does your inverter go through your fuse box? Or, is the connection directly from the battery bank to the inverter? Thx!
The inverter output goes through an AC breaker panel.
How’s it working? Considering doing the same thing with our battery bank.
It’s working great. Toasty warm batteries.
Could this be used with a solar panel? I have a solar electric pontoon boat with a 2 battery boxes of 4 Tesla batteries in a deck box. In winter storage, I'd love to not have to move the boxes to indoors as each are 120 pounds!
Thanks for the video. We are trying to solve this issue, as well. We have four of these batteries arranged in a square inside a compartment. Do you think placing the warming pad along the panel next to two of the batteries would warm the ambient temperature inside the whole (small) compartment enough to protect the two batteries not immediately adjacent to the pad? There is not a good spot for another pad on the back wall. Thank you so much for any insight!
I think that would work. If possible, you could add some insulation to the compartment to help retain the heat.
@@thrivans please any updates... Anything you would change since this mod
Hey, great video... my battery management system gave me the orange warning light although battery was fully charged. Im thinking it was because it was 15-20 degrees over the weekend with no heat ! Can you relate to this? If so, I'd appreciate some feedback, sir.
This is much cheaper then paying an extra 120-125 cost on new lithium batteries with low temp sensory. It seems batteries without low temp average around 250-300 but with 489-500 or so. Thank you !
Even at the 400-500 mark those ones are not trustworthy, once you get into the $800 for a single 100ah Lithium that’s how you can tell it actually has the low temp and heaters
Hello what phone did you use for the holystone hs720
iPhone 12 Pro.
Aren’t you concerned that the heating pad is only gonna warm up one side of the battery bank? Would it be better to mount it on the lid?
What might even be better than mounting it on the lid, is placing under both batteries so the heat radiates up
Good idea
I've seemed another youtuber stick the same heating pad directly to the battery. Could you tell me why didn't you do it?
It would work that way, as well.
Could you hook that up straight to the battery to power the heating pad? Then just unhook when it gets up to temp? My layout is kinda funky and that would be the easiest solution if possible.
Yes, you can but be sure there's a fuse between the heating pad and the battery. When you don't need it, just pull the fuse.
What brand if lithium batteries do you have?
Renogy
@@thrivans Renogy now makes a self heating lithium battery for about $50-100 more than the their similar non self heating. They're still a bit out of my price range and I was looking at cheaper lithium batteries (namely Rebel) but they don't have the self heating option.
@@kevinseverson3397 Interesting. I hadn’t heard about that.
I have four BattleBorn 100Ah batteries, thus this might be a good option as well for us. I wouldn't imagine this pad would handle having the batteries sitting 'on' the pad would it? My thinking, with 'heat rising' it could heat the base, and heat the upward batteries enough as well to allow charging? The way my batteries sit, they are 14" X 24" so the pads (if used along their side) really are not long enough. I'm wondering if I just had the pads along the sides of the batteries (longwise, with nothing on the ends) if that might be an option? Still lots to consider, as to what would be the best solution for my setup!
@@dalewatkins9889 Depending on how cold it gets, I think that you will be fine. I only have one BattleBorn battery. I'll put a piece of Super TUFF-R insulation (fire block as well) between the floor and the bottom of the battery. I'll attach the heater to sheet of aluminum that will sit tight against the side of the battery. Should work fine.
I wanted to heat my batteries with a pad as well, but I am concerned that the bottom will be warm and the tops still too cold and that I could possibly damage the battery.
looking for the product links. Says, "Product links below" but I don't see them
You just need to scroll down a ways. The links are there.
I was wondering if it was worth installing this? I'm looking for a way to heat my battery storage. If anyone has an idea let me know.
I have installed one, glued it to a plexiglass and sat the batteries on top, only worked for 5 days the heating pad burnt out and almost caused a fire !!!, the heating pad was sitting on styrofoam and melted the foam board, if using this heating pad maybe leave and air gap between the underside and the bottom or side wall, in my case i had wrapped the box with foam board to keep the heat in.
Get a 280 ah lifepo4 cells, wrap it in the heating pad . Which is perfect temperature range for lifepo4 since 14 6v charging current is typical for lifepo4 and automotive alternator charges at 14.2 which means they will never get charged to full capacity which will extend it's life 7-10 years.
wouldn't discharge?
The problem with your solution is those heater pads are complete junk. I have tried two and they didn't last a month
That's 120 Amp hours in a 24 hour period, that's a lot of energy. Would always have to be charging just to keep the batteries warm. In 3 days it could drain all your batteries.
Now $68 not available in EU or UK.
Wait, a 6 amp draw is 144 amp hours after just one day. Unless you are plugged in to shore power, this doesn’t seem like a great solution. I realize that once the compartment is warm, the pad will shut off so let’s say it will consume 144 amp hours in two days.
Your calculations seem pretty about right. I have solar, so that keeps my batteries topped off, as long as it’s not cloudy. I also keep my rig plugged into shore power during winter when it’s parked at my house. It’s not ideal, but better than having my batteries freeze.
It’s absolutely better than freezing. I don’t have a lithium set up yet for an RV I’m thinking of buying in a few years. I live in cold climates in the winter. It looks like the only solution if I want lithium in the camper for winter storage is to remove the batteries. I have a small camper now and I use flooded batteries on a battery minder for winter storage and that works fine. But if I upsize to a “real” rig I might not be able to store the rig behind my house for storage. Secondly I have a friend who has a solar powered off-grid cabin. In the winter, the panels are often snow covered. He needs to replace his batteries next winter season and currently uses AGM. I don’t think a lithium solution will work since there might be solar charging in deep cold which will hurt the lithium set. He can’t heat them since it might be two weeks before he goes out to the cabin to recharge by generator. I think he will be stuck buying flooded or AGM again despite our love for the lithium performance.
@@rogerkarlinski3779 Yes. There is no perfect solution. Good luck!
@@rogerkarlinski3779 Don't quote me but I don't think lithium batteries get damaged by just being stored in the cold. Might just be good to turn them off (many have this option, shelf mode) or disconnect them. The problems come when they try to charge when they're too cold (or if its way too cold when they try to discharge).
@@kevinseverson3397 There is storage limits on lithium even when they are not being charged or discharged. They will get damaged at something like -4F or so, depending on the manufacturer and the types of individual cells used in the design.
Pad is 39.00
Recap of the discussion with @Michael Ward so other readers don't have to scroll through any emotional nonsense: a pad with a thermostat closer to the top of an enclosed space will turn off prior to any redundant thermostat with a sensor placed at the bottom of an enclosed space. Had Mr. Ward suggested a small circulating fan attached to a thermostat or placed in-line with the existing thermostat then I may have been on board with his 'suggestion'. Although, unless the thermostat in the pad fails, a small circulating fan that blows air downward is the only improvement that would ensure the existing thermostat doesn't turn off the pad prior to the ambient temperature desired.
Instead of a switch, connect to a thermostat. A lot of electronic thermostat switches have both normally open as well as normally closed contacts and can run off 12V - 24V. Just make sure you get one with the contact ratings with high enough current for your heating pad.
Watch the vid again. It has a built in thermostat.
@@gregsReply The problem with a lot of these devices is that it measures the temperature local to where ever you place the device. You have it placed above the batteries, whereas the cold starts at the bottom of the box.
The idea of a remote thermostat is two fold. First the only switch you would need is an isolator switch, given the external thermostat would turn the power on or off.
Secondly the placement at the base of the batteries would allow for better temperature control.
A lot of charge controllers have a thermostat port, which allows the charger to reduce the current when the temperature at the battery goes below a set limit. Something that is paramount for Lithium celled batteries. A thermostat set at the bottom of the batteries will help enormously, in saving you money.
A good indicator that although the box has dropped in temperature, is that the the batteries are going to be colder a good time before the device sees that low temperature, so a thermostat at/on the battery base is advisable.
I Just don't want to see your good work be marred by something easily overcome.
Just as an aside, lining the battery compartments with fire resistant insulation would also help to stabilise the temperature and reduce the amount of time the heater is on for.
@@michaelward402 Guess you didn't watch that part either, 1:50 . Placed next to the batteries. Guess you're a thermostat and insulation salesman. What is the R factor of wood covered in plastic?
@@gregsReply Not a sales rep just a design engineer and only trying to help based on professional design experience. Your video shows the unit near to the batteries to one side to be accurate and by you video at 5:05 on it shows you screwing a unit to the side of the wooden box. As far as insulation is concerned I said it would help to stabilise the temperature, which in essence has a far better R rating than wood alone.
I merely gave advice and nothing I have staid detracts from what I see as a decent basic job.
@@michaelward402 Guess your a design engineer for the space shuttle, redundant thermostat, redundant insulation. Not my vid by the way, just a general engineer picking on a design engineer that's trying to complicate a simple and working solution.
Not safe! Crazy idea
soon as i hear the stupid music i'm gone, thanks for trying to entertain me but no thanks, don't need the annoyance.