Adding Lithium Batteries

[Ram Montana High Country]

Going to install Lithium batteries - think the best place to mount might be vertical in the basement. Reason is better temperature control especially in winter camping. Was thinking the front wall so mount would be close to ALL electrical connections but would put MPPT with battery.

Am I mistaken in thoughts or better plan??

[firestation12]

Congrats on your plan to go lithium! Is Pointblank in Texas? First, locating the battery(s) as close as possible to your other 12 volt cabling, inverter, transfer switch, fuse panel etc., is a wise one. By MPPT I assume you are referring to some type of solar system/panels. Depending on your total battery storage capacity and solar panel sizes, you may be able to use 12 volt heating pads to protect your lithium batteries from freezing temperatures. The BMS of lithium batteries protects them from being charged when they fall below an internal temperature of 32 degrees. A strong lithium system contains several elements such as 400ah or greater battery capacity, 600+ watts of solar panels, a 60 amp solar charger, a shunt to measure current flow in and out of batteries, direct current rated circuit breaker between solar panels and MPPT controller, main battery disconnect, 300 amp fuse at battery output, separate battery bus bar terminals to combine negative cables and positive cables. A safety note: always connect battery to solar controller first, then solar panels can be connected to solar controller. I use a transfer switch to connect all my outlets to the inverter when boondocking. A push of a button on the inverter remote activates the transfer switch to send power to both legs of the 120 volt outlets. Just have to make sure the breaker to voltage converter is off and to run water heater and refrigerator off of propane. No, you won't be able to run the a/c units off of your batteries, but a second transfer switch to introduce a generator can add that to your Swiss army knife system.

[Ram Montana High Country]

Originally Posted by firestation12

Congrats on your plan to go lithium! Is Pointblank in Texas? First, locating the battery(s) as close as possible to your other 12 volt cabling, inverter, transfer switch, fuse panel etc., is a wise one. By MPPT I assume you are referring to some type of solar system/panels. Depending on your total battery storage capacity and solar panel sizes, you may be able to use 12 volt heating pads to protect your lithium batteries from freezing temperatures. The BMS of lithium batteries protects them from being charged when they fall below an internal temperature of 32 degrees. A strong lithium system contains several elements such as 400ah or greater battery capacity, 600+ watts of solar panels, a 60 amp solar charger, a shunt to measure current flow in and out of batteries, direct current rated circuit breaker between solar panels and MPPT controller, main battery disconnect, 300 amp fuse at battery output, separate battery bus bar terminals to combine negative cables and positive cables. A safety note: always connect battery to solar controller first, then solar panels can be connected to solar controller. I use a transfer switch to connect all my outlets to the inverter when boondocking. A push of a button on the inverter remote activates the transfer switch to send power to both legs of the 120 volt outlets. Just have to make sure the breaker to voltage converter is off and to run water heater and refrigerator off of propane. No, you won't be able to run the a/c units off of your batteries, but a second transfer switch to introduce a generator can add that to your Swiss army knife system.

Poiintblank is in Texas - Thank you for input

[Daryles]

I put mine in the forward battery compartment.
I did add insulation and made my own battery heaters.

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...90#post1255190

[Lee-CI]

Originally Posted by Daryles

I put mine in the forward battery compartment.
I did add insulation and made my own battery heaters.

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...90#post1255190

Daryl - Looking for Pros and Cons of utilizing the space aft of the pass through compartment vice the original front battery bay for everything other than the Giggy Box (or whatever it is called) up in the front bay for the rest of the normal 12 volt circuitry. Just thinking the LiFePo4 batteries would be protected from cold if in the heated underbelly so long as one was winter camping and has the gas furnace running. Otherwise it seems as like your install of extra insulation and heater blankets would be the better option. Thoughts?

[Daryles]

Lee-CI
I put them in the battery compartment because I didn't want to give up and storage space in the basement.
Yes it does mean I have to be a little more proactive if camping in cold weather, but with the extra insulation it holds the temperature in that compartment very well.

[Ram Montana High Country]

Originally Posted by Daryles

Lee-CI
I put them in the battery compartment because I didn't want to give up and storage space in the basement.
Yes it does mean I have to be a little more proactive if camping in cold weather, but with the extra insulation it holds the temperature in that compartment very well.

I have the 373RD - storage space isn't my issue. Thx for the reply

[rames14]

Les, I am not sure if pin weight is an issue for you, but the further back will reduce pin weight. Also, one issue with our Super Solar is access to components. Not sure if your batteries have the heaters built in. Temp may not be an issue.