Lifepo4 Batteries

[Ray_5040391]

I know the advantages of Lifepo4 batteries, and I notice that the prices have dropped dramatically. You can now get a 100AH one for around £200. My question is, are they worth buying, has anyone tried one of the cheaper ones, or is it a case of you get what you pay for?

 

[Mr Plodd]

Ask yourself just one question.
Do you actually need a Lifepo4 battery? If not then stick with lead acid.

 

[JLPlumb]

Ask yourself just one question.
Do you actually need a Lifepo4 battery? If not then stick with lead acid.

Exactly!!

 

[ProfJohnL]

In most cases the built in battery charger in caravans is only designed to charge Lead Acid batteries. It would not provide optimum management of other types of battery.

 

[Buckman]

According to Elddis and the battery supplier, the charger in our 2018 is capable to recharging a lithium battery however we prefer to stick with AGM. I am unsure about the solar panel controller, but doubt if it will be an issue.

Lithium is ideal if you go off grid a lot and it also increases your payload by a couple of kg.

 

[Beachball]

it your choice if you want to have a Lifepo4 battery but we decided to stay with lead acid with our caravan

 

[Guzzilazz]

Lithium batteries of this size generally have built in charging circuitry to deal with traditional 12V chargers... I use smaller LiFe batteries (1.6AH) and they are excellent, taking many charging cycles, maintaining output voltage and being able to be discharged to a much deeper level than the 50% for LA...

 

[Dustydog]

When I bought my new Apuljack charger I was offered an alternative design for lithium batteries . The alternative cannot be used with Lead acid. Clearly it’s not just about changing the battery type

 

[trevormonty]

When I bought my new Apuljack charger I was offered an alternative design for lithium batteries . The alternative cannot be used with Lead acid. Clearly it’s not just about changing the battery type

For most caravans would need to disable built in AGM charger eg pull fuse. Then use a LiFePO4 charger connected to one of vans AC outlets. In my case there is one under seat for supplying fridge.

 

[GUMPY]

I just unplugged the fitted "charger" and used that supply to feed a new Victron charger. A year later when I got the lithium battery I just reprogrammed the Victron.
I await to see just how often I have to turn the charger on over the next summer as I suspect that the 120w of solar combined with a 90% DOD of the battery will take care of most of my power requirements.