Another AGM to Lithium Modification on 2020 LE2

[Ray Kimsey]

I updated my batteries with assistance of a friend who does solar installs for a living. This is a bit different than most of the installs  I have seen here in that we used two 400 AH EG4 rackmount batteries.  After removing the rackmount handles from the batteries and the battery tray from the Oliver they fit perfectly. There was a bolt in the bottom of the battery cabinet that was an issue. We put in 1 inch square aluminum  rods on the floor of the cabinet to raise the batteries above the bolt head.  We also replaced the Xamp solar charger with a Victron solar charger 100/30, added Victron lynx shunt, Victron distributor, and Victron cerbo with a touch screen (7" model).  This fit perfectly in the hole left by the removal of the Xamp solar charger. To get the cables from the cerbo to the touch screen I ordered an extra HDMI extension cable and USB cable (approx. 15'). I ran the cables to the back of the camper in the tray behind the cabinet and then down the wall in the back, under the basement, and back up under the street side bed. Trying to pu the wire down next to the pantry would not work. It was too tight. I believe Victron is planning on replacing the HDMI cable with the small USB connections this spring. Didn't help me, but maybe it would help you. In addition we added a solar disconnect which you can see below. In the pictures below.  These batteries can be powered off and the breaker thrown to disconnect. They also come with automatic fire suppressants, two per battery. Cost was $1200 per battery (400 AH, each).

This was the first stage of the upgrade. At some point I may replace the Xantrex 2000 inverter, but for now it works well for us. Unfortunately the Xantrex and Victron do not talk to each other.  That is why you don't see information on the touch screen about the AC loads and AC input. We have taken it on a couple of trips now and we do not come close to making a dent in the batteries. I added an extra battery in case we need to replace our 3-way fridge in the near future. So far it is doing well. I replaced a power board on it a while back, but since then no issues. Parts are harder to come by now though.

[Patriot]

Nice job Ray! I may go the Lithium route at some point when my AGMs give up the ghost.

[Ray Kimsey]

17 hours ago, Patriot said:

Nice job Ray! I may go the Lithium route at some point when my AGMs give up the ghost.

Thank you. My AGMs were still doing pretty well, but we were up in Canada this summer for five weeks and we were having to work hard at not pushing them too hard and using voltage to guess at the state of charge was rather annoying. I decided to go ahead and replace the batteries and enjoy the upgrade myself instead of waiting until they had to be replaced. 

[jd1923]

21 hours ago, Ray Kimsey said:

This is a bit different than most of the installs. I have seen here in that we used two 400 AH EG4 rackmount batteries...

Cost was $1200 per battery (400 AH, each).

Wow, great idea Ray with the help of your friend in the solar biz! This is $3/AH (given this is the true OTD price, no tax and free shipping). I spent $1800 OTD on 600AH of Epoch batteries which is again $3/AH, but you fit 800AH in the Oliver battery bay at this price. What an EXCELLENT upgrade!

I'm not the guy who worries about warranties and most LiFePO4 warranties are 11 years but likely not full replacement after 5 years. EG4 claims 15 years service to 80% DoD with a 5-year full replacement warranty. It appears they are being honest and do not want to get into prorating warranties after 5 years.

18 hours ago, Patriot said:

Nice job Ray! I may go the Lithium route at some point when my AGMs give up the ghost.

Really? on your gorgeous XPLOR! I just assumed you had the OEM Platinum Package.

We needed the LiFePO4 upgrade this year, along with Victron MP2 and 400W suitcase solar (now 720W total), allowing us to dry camp for days, and up to a week off-grid using several 110VAC appliances daily. AGM is fine for those who camp with hook-ups.

We had very good condition lead-acid batteries, replaced in 2022 by the prior owner. We could have used these for many more years but would have only 220AH available which can be depleted over two cloudy days. Instead, we spent $1800 on 600AH LiFePO4 and sold the LA batteries for $300 on Craigs, net cost $1500! Four years ago on a prior RV, we installed AGM since back then the cost of LiFePO4 was prohibitive.

If Ray had posted this 6 months earlier, I would have copied this install for 800AH! Hard to beat this capacity/value. Instead, we'll limp along with only 600. 🤣

[Patriot]

4 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Really? on your gorgeous XPLOR! I just assumed you had the OEM Platinum Package.

Lithium packages were not available when we ordered our 2020 Oliver. The AGMs have been serving us well! 😊

[KeysConchs]

Nice upgrade, Ray.  Curious where you installed the 3rd battery.  We are installing 2, 300aH Epochs in the battery bay and have room under the streetside bed for more batteries, even with the Victron MPII installed there.   Just wondering if anyone else has considered this option or alternative locations for increasing LiPO4 battery capacity?  Is this unwise considering venting issues with possible battery failure?  

[ScubaRx]

Lithium batteries do not have the risk of venting hydrogen gas like the LA batteries. They can safely be mounted anywhere and in any orientation.

[rideadeuce]

On 11/8/2024 at 2:18 PM, Ray Kimsey said:

There was a bolt in the bottom of the battery cabinet that was an issue. We put in 1 inch square aluminum  rods on the floor of the cabinet to raise the batteries above the bolt head.

Nice install. I built up the floor with a 1/4 inch rubber mat to get ride of the bolt problem. 

[Ray Kimsey]

7 hours ago, KeysConchs said:

Nice upgrade, Ray.  Curious where you installed the 3rd battery.  We are installing 2, 300aH Epochs in the battery bay and have room under the streetside bed for more batteries, even with the Victron MPII installed there.   Just wondering if anyone else has considered this option or alternative locations for increasing LiPO4 battery capacity?  Is this unwise considering venting issues with possible battery failure?  

Thank you. I only have two batteries, 400AH each for a total of 800AH., So one on top of the other.

[jd1923]

9 hours ago, KeysConchs said:

Nice upgrade, Ray.  Curious where you installed the 3rd battery.  We are installing 2, 300aH Epochs in the battery bay and have room under the streetside bed for more batteries, even with the Victron MPII installed there.   Just wondering if anyone else has considered this option or alternative locations for increasing LiPO4 battery capacity?  Is this unwise considering venting issues with possible battery failure?  

So, you also installed the MP2? Have an installation post or pictures. I knew of 3 prior to our installation but your name is new to me. Thanks.

Like Steve wrote, no venting issues. I installed our MP@ under the streetside bed, so no room under there. Without detail measurements, If I was to desire more than 600AH in the battery bay, I would look under the pantry!

[Teaney Hull 292]

On 11/24/2024 at 4:31 PM, rideadeuce said:

Nice install. I built up the floor with a 1/4 inch rubber mat to get ride of the bolt problem. 

Mike, nice set up. Anita and I will be at the Ollie Rally in April. Are you going? At some point will go from AGM to Lithium. Would like to see your set up. Hull 292 here. 

[John Dorrer]

On 11/24/2024 at 11:36 AM, KeysConchs said:

Nice upgrade, Ray.  Curious where you installed the 3rd battery.  We are installing 2, 300aH Epochs in the battery bay and have room under the streetside bed for more batteries, even with the Victron MPII installed there.   Just wondering if anyone else has considered this option or alternative locations for increasing LiPO4 battery capacity?  Is this unwise considering venting issues with possible battery failure?  

I believe the batteries need to be in close proximity of each other. Cable length is significant. Hopefully someone can confirm that. 

[rideadeuce]

12 hours ago, Teaney Hull 292 said:

Mike, nice set up. Anita and I will be at the Ollie Rally in April. Are you going? At some point will go from AGM to Lithium. Would like to see your set up. Hull 292 here. 

Thanks, Yes, I will be at the Guntersville Rally in April-May. 

[jd1923]

13 hours ago, John Dorrer said:

I believe the batteries need to be in close proximity of each other. Cable length is significant. Hopefully someone can confirm that. 

Must be close enough. If you're running 4/0 wire, which is over-engineered unless you're running A/C on inverter, you are more than OK for a few feet. I would put extra batteries dead center under the pantry. I have our Victron Mp2 Inverter-Charger just 4.5 ft (1.4M) from our Epoch 600AH LiFePO4 batteries and all DC runs are connected directly to the MP2.

I could simply add another battery, say an Epoch 460AH and install it under the pantry. The terminals would be only 2 ft from our inverter connection which would make it closer than the 600AH in our battery bay, NP!

Hey JD, when you have time, let's talk about your upcoming trip to AZ. Looking forward to seeing you when you get to the great Southwest!

Edited January 11 by jd1923

[John Dorrer]

11 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Must be close enough. If you're running 4/0 wire, which is over-engineered unless you're running A/C on inverter, you are more than OK for a few feet. I would put extra batteries dead center under the pantry. I have our Victron Mp2 Inverter-Charger just 4.5 ft (1.4M) from our Epoch 600AH LiFePO4 batteries and all DC runs are connected directly to the MP2.

I could simply add another battery, say an Epoch 460AH and install it under the pantry. The terminals would be only 2 ft from our inverter connection which would make it closer than the 600AH in our battery bay, NP!

Hey JD, when you have time, let's talk about your upcoming trip to AZ. Looking forward to seeing you when you get to the great Southwest!

For sure. When we dial in the backside of the trip, I'll let you know.

 

On battery location, I thought they had to be tight (close) together. Thinking putting battery under rear dinette seat, might require a longer cable. Way above my knowledge base🙃

[jd1923]

12 hours ago, John Dorrer said:

For sure. When we dial in the backside of the trip, I'll let you know.

On battery location, I thought they had to be tight (close) together. Thinking putting battery under rear dinette seat, might require a longer cable. Way above my knowledge base🙃

Not much difference, given 4/0 cables, between 1 ft and 3-5 ft. You can have a pair of LiFePO4 batteries in the battery bay and another 1-2 LiFePO4 batteries in the basement nearby. I do not have room under the "rear dinette seat" nor under the  streetside bed since I installed our Victron MP2 inverter/charger there, but that raceway under the pantry could host a LiFePO4 of considerable size. You could even install a pair of batteries under the front dinette seat, where there is a LOT of ROOM and the cable lengths would be further but doable. I'm not going that way since under the front dinette seat is Chris' territory. She has many items up there that makes our camping so much more comfortable! 😂

[johnwen]

On 11/24/2024 at 3:31 PM, rideadeuce said:

Nice install. I built up the floor with a 1/4 inch rubber mat to get ride of the bolt problem. 

You were able to fit 2 460a Epochs in the battery cave with the battery tray removed?  My tray bearings are shot anyway.  Can you take a picture of your install?  Are you by chance coming to Quartzsite?

Thanks,

John

[jd1923]

8 hours ago, johnwen said:

You were able to fit 2 460a Epochs in the battery cave with the battery tray removed?  My tray bearings are shot anyway.  Can you take a picture of your install?

Mike has several pictures in a mod post. BTW, two (2) of the more expensive Epoch 460AH battery with "Victron Comms" will just fit! Two of the less expensive Epoch Essentials 460AH will not fit. They are about a 1/2" too wide.

 

[johnwen]

8 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

Mike has several pictures in a mod post. BTW, two (2) of the more expensive Epoch 460AH battery with "Victron Comms" will just fit! Two of the less expensive Epoch Essentials 460AH will not fit. They are about a 1/2" too wide.

Thanks, JD ::)

 

 

[johnwen]

1 hour ago, johnwen said:

 

Thanks, JD :)

[KeysConchs]

On 1/10/2025 at 8:35 AM, John Dorrer said:

I believe the batteries need to be in close proximity of each other. Cable length is significant. Hopefully someone can confirm that. 

Hello John. I just saw your question.  Our tech said that all the battery wires must be the same length which necessitates making the cables going to batteries in the battery compartment as long as the cable needed to go to the 3rd battery under the streetside bunk.  We have opted to stay with 2, 300 aH batteries at this time.   

[KeysConchs]

On 11/24/2024 at 9:22 PM, jd1923 said:

So, you also installed the MP2? Have an installation post or pictures. I knew of 3 prior to our installation but your name is new to me. Thanks.

Like Steve wrote, no venting issues. I installed our MP@ under the streetside bed, so no room under there. Without detail measurements, If I was to desire more than 600AH in the battery bay, I would look under the pantry!

We are installing the MP 2 as we speak.  Here is a photo of the mounting bracket under the streetside bunk made from aluminum and PVC that our tech made. Is is mounted horizontally on the fiberglass wall with epoxy and two s/s screws for safe-keeping through the wall.  We live in the Keys so our tech specializes in wiring boats.  He said 1) this is fairly simple compared to a lot of installs on sailboats he has done, and 2) that heat that is produced is also not an issue compared with other installs in engine compartments, etc.  Nevertheless, we are installing a fan on the bulkhead to the basement to dissipate heat. We considered the Mulitiplus 2 bracket (https://battlebornbatteries.com/product/multiplus-ii-free-standing-mounting-bracket/) but it really won't mount well to the deck. 

2018 LE2 Hull 344, LE 2.

  

Edited January 20 by KeysConchs

[SeaDawg]

3 hours ago, KeysConchs said:

Hello John. I just saw your question.  Our tech said that all the battery wires must be the same length which necessitates making the cables going to batteries in the battery compartment as long as the cable needed to go to the 3rd battery under the streetside bunk.  We have opted to stay with 2, 300 aH batteries at this time.   

Ww have been toldcthis by friends in the marine industry,  as well. Thanks

[MAX Burner]

For our "style" of boondocking our 300AH bank of Battle Born's are serving us well.  At Quartzite now, low sun angles, and overcast, our 200amp "Solar Tracker" is augmenting our roof modules.  We are burning through about 70AH/night and the tracker is bringing us back up to 100% SOC by 1300 - 1400hrs every day, FYI.  The "tracker" is proving very efficient as a much lighter weight module than our 35# Renogy 400W suitcase 

 

Photos.app.zip

[dewdev]

@MAX Burner

Art: I really like the solar tracker you have and showed in the video. 

Can you tells us where you bought it, what brand and model it is and what was the cost?

How long have you had it and how is it working out for you?

How did you connect it to the Olllie electrical system?

Thanks

Edited January 23 by dewdev