rideandfly

Temperature tags or something similar may be a good idea for both batteries, too. Like the idea of being able to check battery temps with the smart phone. Here's my current plan to monitor the 100AH BB temperature connected to the load, subject to change, will see. We have two 100AH BB connected parallel in our Ollie. Since we have one Victron IP65 Bluetooth SmartShunt, going to connect the + BB battery terminal to the Shunt temperature sensor that the + load/charge cable is also connected to. We don't have an inverter or factory installed solar. Battery charge comes from a Progressive Dynamics 4045 converter/charger or our two 100W solar suitcases. The reason I installed a Victron IP65 SmartShunt in the battery compartment is because it's waterproof. Here's a Q&A on the Victron forum about connecting the IP65 SmartShunt to the Victron temperature sensor splicing to the correct IP65 wires: https://communityarchive.victronenergy.com/questions/213907/temp-sensor-with-smartshunt-500a-ip65.html

Never had an issue with a single BattleBorn 100AH in our LE2 since 2021. Believe our battery use would be considered low stress. Just purchased two new 100AH BB during Black Friday sales event because of our past experience with BB before this video came out. I have been careful securing the battery and all connections are tight. Will start monitoring Battery Temperature with our Victron shunt. .

We use a 500A Victron Bluetooth Shunt to monitor battery SOC. After looking at the Victron website, looks like it has a temperature function, too.

The guy that made the video is very knowledgeable about solar/electrical systems from what I have seen on YouTube and BattleBorn was aware of the video when I called them, but when they started telling me about their battery system, it was over my head 🙂, so I told them I preferred to post their written reply.

I recommend to anyone with additional questions to give BattleBorn a call to further understand their explanation.

I'm not a electrical or mechanic engineer. They said the BattleBorn system worked as intended in the case of this battery. I'm happy they gave me this reply to post on the forum because I told them I am not able to get into the technical aspects of their product.

Here's the reply from BattleBorn technical today: "Thank you for contacting us. We appreciate the opportunity to provide technical context regarding the engineering and safety of your system. We understand there are conversations circulating externally, and we want to support you with facts about how our products are engineered and certified. Regarding the concerns you raised: Battle Born Batteries have been available in the market for more than a decade. During that time, we have delivered well over 400,000 batteries into service across all major markets. Our solutions have undergone extensive third-party testing to UL standards, we operate an open production process in the United States, and we routinely provide tours, published videos, and engineering transparency. These outcomes and the long track record of safe operation speak for themselves. To address questions that have recently surfaced about terminal heating and fastener design, it is important to highlight that what some observers view as a failure is a safety device working exactly as intended. The aluminum nut used in our 100Ah packs’ positive terminal is a purpose-built thermal failsafe. It is engineered so that the plastic deforms and disconnects when excess heat is present at the terminal. This protects the internal cell structure by interrupting the current, preventing further heat buildup and thermal runaway. This safeguard exists for conditions created in the field such as loose external connections, systems operating outside specification, or uncontrolled short circuits. It is one of several intentional protective mechanisms within our packs and is necessary for our UL Listing Standards. The key takeaway is this: This design prevents heat from migrating into the cell stack, meaning it is designed to stop conditions that could otherwise create a thermal runaway event. It works as a sacrificial barrier that takes the heat event on behalf of the cells. That is the exact purpose of the feature. In cases where a pack has already experienced misuse or improper installation, visible damage at the terminal is typically the result of that safety mechanism activating. That does not mean the design is flawed. It means the protective feature served its purpose. The batteries we sell and support today use the same trusted and validated design that has been in successful field service for many years. If you are currently experiencing a specific operational issue with your system, please reply with photos of your installation so we can assist you further."

BattleBorn will send me an informative document I can post here with their permission. They have sold over 400,000 batteries.

Just called BattleBorn and left a message for technical support. Had a BattleBorn battery in Ollie for years without issues. I have had such good performance out of BattleBorn batteries, just purchased two more 100AH batteries during the Black Friday sales event. Will see what they say and post.

John, I’m confident you know this, but wanted to let everyone know they boxed and shipped our unit on it’s side, so after unpacking let it sit upright for at least 24 hours before operation.

We purchased the same compressor dehumidifier and it did a good job for us, too! Tried this unit for 3 days in Ollie with outside humidity ranging from 50% in the afternoon to 90% before sunrise with outside temps ranging from low 40s to afternoon upper 60s. This unit removed about a quart of water daily. I dumped the tank daily, but it also has a drain hose that could be run into the kitchen sink or shower drain. Set the unit at 40% and it actually kept the inside humidity at 47% when the compressor shut off to 55% when the compressor turned back on. It has CSA certification. Took a Joker out of a deck of cards to cover the light on the front of the unit, since it's bright at night.

Thanks for the report. Ours did a great job, too!

We use Puretalk. There are probably better discount smartphone internet services, but always receive calls & text messages OK unless there is no signal. The phone works great with Spectrum Wi-Fi at home and Starlink Mini Wi-Fi when camping. When using Spectrum internet at home, around every 12 months they increase their service price, so I make a trip to their store and let them know I can also get Verizon home internet or another service for a better price, so they lower the price.

We have Spectrum internet at home, but use a discount cell service that uses another large carrier network. Some places we camp still have poor cell service. Starlink Mini Wi-Fi works great with our smartphone & Roku as long as we have an opening in the trees for satellite reception at the campsite.

That's why we're taking our time replacing the springs in 2026 with Alcan springs. I don't like Dexter EZ Flex wet pin spring bushings, they were thin and fragile when installing the EZ Flex system, very easy to damage. Believe Alcan's bushings are made of more durable material and thicker than Dexter's wet pin spring bushings. This will be a good reason for us to visit Grand Junction, CO this year during our western trip. 🙂

Not aware of any 5 leaf Dexter spring failures, yet.

Our LE2 came with 5200lb axles and 5 leaf springs. I'm not going to install them, going to visit Alcan in 2026 and let them do the installation.

We plan to replace our Dexter 5 leaf spring packs with Alcan springs during 2026, installed new shocks last year. Our LE2 is light, even after adding to Ollie's ready to camp weight during 2025, should be around 5100 pounds with empty tanks. Been running 40PSI in Ollie's tires during 2025 and not having issues with trailer contents shifting. This air pressure chart came from a previous thread here.

We wanted to wish everyone here a Safe and Great Thanksgiving! Best Regards, Bill and Debbie

David, Nice looking rig and Welcome to the Oliver family! Art, Congrats on the new Brinkley, very nice camper! Please stay in touch!

Appreciate info on the other 12V components!

Removed the wash cloth rack to re-attach the heater vent hose when the 12V water pump LED indicator light connection broke off inside of the LED. Checked with Mike at Oliver Service and he said they have not installed that LED for years and did not stock it. He said he could source it for me, but I found a replacement on Amazon. Ordered and installed an 8MM 5/16" IP67 Waterproof 5-24V LED indicator light package of 10 with various colored LEDs for less than $11 during Black Friday sale event. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B41ZC73G?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I'm not familiar with factory solar/lithium systems installed from Oliver and like David, still learning about electrical/electronics. We installed Battleborn Lithium battery with Renogy Solar controller that we use with up to two solar suitcases, and an onboard progressive Lithium charger. We had issues with our MaxxAir fan. It started beeping and a green light on the unit started flashing. Checked internet and found Lithium batteries can cause high voltage issues with MaxxAir fans, when we had the issues we were on shore power, the Progressive lithium charger had our 12V system at 14.4V DC. Also gave MaxxAir/Airxcel technical support a call and they confirmed lithium battery higher voltage can cause the problem we were having with the MaxxAir fan. This had me wondering if the higher lithium voltage would cause issues with other 12V components, checked with Jensen and they said our TV was tested to 16 to 17V without issues. I don't know about other 12V components on Ollie, yet. We installed a DC to DC converter (12.3V output) from Amazon, secured with Velcro. Also replaced the fan's circuit board with one from Amazon, probably unnecessary. It's working OK now. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081RG8XP5?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 Found this on YouTube:

David, Great looking installation, looks like you picked a quality company, too. Looking forward to seeing this installation learning more about it!

Good to meet another retired railroader! The NW & NS Engineers I knew were senior and had the best runs, probably why they were happy, thought it may also have something to do with operating powerful diesel electric locomotives. I never operated a Locomotive, but got to operate locomotive simulator one time, very interesting. We used to build and rebuild intermodal cranes & parts in our shop, sometimes when a crane was to be relocated we would disassemble and reassemble intermodal cranes at their new locations. Our gas TV does a good job towing Ollie, but really appreciate Diesel Trucks with engine braking feature towing down large mountains, too.