My Battery Upgrade Challenges and What I learned-- Finally Done!
Why the Battle Born’s– The costs for high end lithium batteries are pretty much the same ranging from about 600.00- 1600 for each battery. Some are made and supported in China, A few are from the USA at least supported and assembled. Some have minimal warrantiues that I have seem from 3-11 yhears, some have no support or a few have great support. We watched you tube videos, teardowns and reviews and we decided the Battle Born was a great fit. There are about 5 at this point that were in the running and are realy close. The Renogy, Lion,Dakota, Expert Power and Battle Born.
Battle Born was a great choice for me because of one the best warranties- 10 years, support had been great and products are built with quality and in the USA– Ding Ding Winner.
The Challenges I learned- Some the hardway but good! First of all the existing batteried on my trailer are located on the from tounge in plastic battery boxes that were not very secure. So when I started hearing about battery thiefs I bought a Battery shackle with worked great to secure the batteries. BUT wait-
The Challenges I learned- Some the hardway but good! First of all the existing batteried on my trailer are located on the from tounge in plastic battery boxes that were not very secure. So when I started hearing about battery thiefs I bought a Battery shackle with worked great to secure the batteries. BUT wait-
Problem – Most Rv’s I have discovered do not come with the correct power charger to charge lithium batteries as they require a higher voltage to charge correctly. So this module has to be replace. I also discovered that in mostr cased this module is right next or behind the fuse panels and most RV’s. I found the manufacturer (WFCO) of the currently installed converted and I called them up and got them on the phone and the confirmed the lithium issue and they gave me the upgraded direct fit replacement module. You have to shop around for this as the prices for the exact same product,m part number and the same MFG varied from 123 up to 270.00 cover.
Problem – After receiving the new battery boxes, Arghh they still did not fit as the handles on the boxes prevented the fit. So I decided to shave the handles off with a power tool. I did that and the fit was still questionable and the more I thought it …not very secure.
Problem – The battery shackle now would not fit correctly. I put everything back to the way it was and decided to order a steel tounge mount battery box from Amazon.
Problem – I measured the box, installed it, put batteries inside and all looked good but then I noticed the box height would not accomodate the plasitic battery boxes I had bought. I then decide to remove the plastic boxes and would just use some battery trays in the box.
Problem – I thought all looked great and I went to close and lock the box thenb I noticed the lid would not go down all the way and was hitting the top of battery. Just what I needed- Lets short out 2000.00 Battle Born Batteries. I did not want to the take the chance.
FINAL Solution!!- Now I decided I needed a different type of battery box one that the batteries would fit side by side neaty and be tall enought not to hit the lid. So started shopping aroung again oline and we came across at Harbor Freight on sale for 79.00. I went to the store and we chacked it out and all looked good and we decided to try it out and it WORKED!!! I mounted it by drilling 2 holes thru the bottom of the box and drilled 2 holes in the cross member, put in some carriage bolts and all is good. However, I still have a issue with the security as the lock is not that great and the shackle I had does not fit over the box. So in the interim I have wrapped steel cable around the box and locked them down. But fortunately we have a family friend my son went to school with who is now a professional fabricator and welder and he is custom manufcturing a shackle to lock the box down to the frame and in addition welding the box to the tounge.
Now I feel good about and so far everything looks great. Next up – adding the the Solar Panels, inverted and a soft start. Stay Tuned
