Looking to replace 2 x AGM 130ah batteries (6 yrs old) with 2 x lithium of 100 to 140ah batteries (physical size permitting). My current charger will do lithium as well, so thats not an issue. Ive looked at Giant, Itechworld, DCS, Enerdrive and a couple of others, big variation in price ! I mean, why is enerdrive so expensive ? Is it really that much better ? Any recommendations from users out there appreciated ? Looking at advantages to boost run time and get weight advantage as well. Thanks
boab said
06:55 PM Oct 3, 2021
i bought an itech 120 about a year ago this has performed up to my expectations it replaced agm batteries so i have saved about 45 kg in weight and no problems so far
Whenarewethere said
07:16 PM Oct 3, 2021
If you haven't done so you may want to read this thread.
I think it's the same with anything, you have to look at what they are offering for the money, Remember that some bigger companies charge extra just because they have a known name, however this does not add to their quality whats so ever, and some add more just because they can.
Although people can recommend and often this is fine, but don't look at brand site recommendation, only use independent recommendations, I found reading lots of forums and watching youtube videos is about the only way to get a good idea on the quality of what you are buying. I had personal issues with buying drop in lithium's, quality v price v build, this led me to build my own.
But if I was to buy one I would try to find a distributor that sells with minimal amounts of cells. example: 12v=4 cells, many producers use smaller cells and this to me is not the correct way to build a battery for drop in, at present as I gave up the idea of buying a drop in the only place I found this type of build was The Cheapest Battery Shop in Australia - Big Wei Battery.
He is a Chinese guy who imports his stuff, however I'm not sure if they are assembled in China or Aus, a quick phone call to ask all the related questions and then a follow up email for written proof before buying. This was as far as I got on this before following up on how to build your own.
There also was a guy in Aus on DIY Solar Power Forum that mentioned he was about to release drop in 4 cell batteries, but I never followed this up.
I had not contacted either of these guy's to ask about what they are offering so I cant comment on the quality.
Cisco kid said
06:28 PM Oct 11, 2021
Stay with AGM batteries, they are cheaper
the lithium ones are great but a bit dear for this grey nomad
orid said
08:57 PM Oct 11, 2021
EV. Power
peatop said
03:24 PM Oct 14, 2021
Cisco kid wrote:
Stay with AGM batteries, they are cheaper
the lithium ones are great but a bit dear for this grey nomad
AGM costs you far more in the long run, lithium has come down in price and the more it is used the cheaper it will get, I'm building my own 105Ah at a total cost of about $500 this should last me a minimum of 10 years for full time off grid use. But I would expect that it will last more than double that if taken care of.
yobarr said
05:21 PM Oct 14, 2021
peatop wrote:
Cisco kid wrote:
Stay with AGM batteries, they are cheaper
the lithium ones are great but a bit dear for this grey nomad
AGM costs you far more in the long run, lithium has come down in price and the more it is used the cheaper it will get, I'm building my own 105Ah at a total cost of about $500 this should last me a minimum of 10 years for full time off grid use. But I would expect that it will last more than double that if taken care of.
Only common sense,really.Cheers
orid said
05:42 PM Oct 14, 2021
https://www.ev-power.com.au/products/
orid said
05:46 PM Oct 14, 2021
Good high quality, fairly priced , seperate Bcu unit ,Mine are performing faultless ,wouldnt, be without them.
Bicyclecamper said
06:38 PM Oct 14, 2021
I have a 45ah, Gel for my camper, as I got a better run out of Gel's (( 9 years) as I got out of a Century 105ah AGM, it last 4 years and was still with the van I recently sold, but could not charge it above 12.35 volts. Doesn't mean it was dead, but close to. So I bought a Gel 45ah for the hard floor camper. Was going to get 2 X 20 ah Lithiums from Renogy as I have 2 X 20 ah here at home for security reasons, and I had a 20ah in my bicycle camper. They charge really easy, and last quite well. It will be a while before my Gel dies, but will be looking a Renogy Lithiums next time around again.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Thursday 14th of October 2021 06:38:42 PM
Looking to replace 2 x AGM 130ah batteries (6 yrs old) with 2 x lithium of 100 to 140ah batteries (physical size permitting). My current charger will do lithium as well, so thats not an issue. Ive looked at Giant, Itechworld, DCS, Enerdrive and a couple of others, big variation in price ! I mean, why is enerdrive so expensive ? Is it really that much better ? Any recommendations from users out there appreciated ? Looking at advantages to boost run time and get weight advantage as well. Thanks
If you haven't done so you may want to read this thread.
https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t67732755/lithium-batteries-charging-discharging-balancing/
I think it's the same with anything, you have to look at what they are offering for the money, Remember that some bigger companies charge extra just because they have a known name, however this does not add to their quality whats so ever, and some add more just because they can.
Although people can recommend and often this is fine, but don't look at brand site recommendation, only use independent recommendations, I found reading lots of forums and watching youtube videos is about the only way to get a good idea on the quality of what you are buying. I had personal issues with buying drop in lithium's, quality v price v build, this led me to build my own.
But if I was to buy one I would try to find a distributor that sells with minimal amounts of cells. example: 12v=4 cells, many producers use smaller cells and this to me is not the correct way to build a battery for drop in, at present as I gave up the idea of buying a drop in the only place I found this type of build was The Cheapest Battery Shop in Australia - Big Wei Battery.
He is a Chinese guy who imports his stuff, however I'm not sure if they are assembled in China or Aus, a quick phone call to ask all the related questions and then a follow up email for written proof before buying. This was as far as I got on this before following up on how to build your own.
There also was a guy in Aus on DIY Solar Power Forum that mentioned he was about to release drop in 4 cell batteries, but I never followed this up.
I had not contacted either of these guy's to ask about what they are offering so I cant comment on the quality.
Stay with AGM batteries, they are cheaper
the lithium ones are great but a bit dear for this grey nomad
AGM costs you far more in the long run, lithium has come down in price and the more it is used the cheaper it will get, I'm building my own 105Ah at a total cost of about $500 this should last me a minimum of 10 years for full time off grid use. But I would expect that it will last more than double that if taken care of.
Only common sense,really.Cheers
I have a 45ah, Gel for my camper, as I got a better run out of Gel's (( 9 years) as I got out of a Century 105ah AGM, it last 4 years and was still with the van I recently sold, but could not charge it above 12.35 volts. Doesn't mean it was dead, but close to. So I bought a Gel 45ah for the hard floor camper. Was going to get 2 X 20 ah Lithiums from Renogy as I have 2 X 20 ah here at home for security reasons, and I had a 20ah in my bicycle camper. They charge really easy, and last quite well. It will be a while before my Gel dies, but will be looking a Renogy Lithiums next time around again.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Thursday 14th of October 2021 06:38:42 PM