Battleborn Battery Safety Issue

[Mike and Carol]

9 hours ago, jd1923 said:

The next step up is 2x 300 Ah Essentials. Call me crazy, but we're lovin' our 900 Ah with these great features. 😎

https://www.epochbatteries.com/products/12v-105ah-heated-bluetooth-lifepo4-battery-epoch-essentials

I discussed this with Ken, I think this is what I will do too.

[rich.dev]

11 minutes ago, Mike and Carol said:

I discussed this with Ken, I think this is what I will do too.

You cannot go wrong with Epoch, another brand that’s also getting good reviews, and is on Will Prowse’s approved list is WattCycle https://www.wattcycle.com/products/wattcycle-deep-cycle-rv-battery-ad

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

I discussed this with Ken, I think this is what I will do too.

Good choice Mike. Ken would have his installed already if it wasn't so cold in the east!

[Geronimo John]

21 hours ago, Wayfinder said:

They better get a handle on this or they may have some rough times ahead - true or not.

I think that they have been in that zone for quite some time now.  I am suprised that we have not seen more on this.  Glad I don't own any Dragon Fly stock.  Sad that so many of us are, or will be impacted by their design, marketing and now warranty decisions.

GJ

[Geronimo John]

On 12/16/2025 at 12:48 PM, jd1923 said:

but with 900 Ah I'd have to run our A/C, our Air Fryer and run a power cord to another RV to run their A/C to get anywhere the 600A of continuous power (2x for peak use) the spec of these batteries

I know you are just joking.  But let's not toss that glove as someone may try it.  I think our 4/0 cables and lugs would have some concerns if running them at 900 amps. Not to mention our fuses.

Checked AI and "it" agrees.

 

 

[Geronimo John]

4 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

The next step up is 2x 300 Ah Essentials. Call me crazy, but we're lovin' our 900 Ah with these great features. 😎

$2400 to do so, plus likely mods to the cables and fusing...   OUCH............

 

[rideandfly]

5 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

I discussed this with Ken, I think this is what I will do too.

We installed two Epoch 105 AH replacing two 100AH BB batteries on Ollie. We don't have factory solar charging and only have an onboard Progressive Dynamics 45A Lithium charger. The BB worked nicely with this setup.

The Epoch 105AH batteries are a little smaller physically and lighter than the 100AH BB batteries. I like the carry handles on them, too. The new Epoch batteries with the carry handles are easy to install and remove on Ollie. I removed them in less than 10 minutes when I put Ollie in storage this winter. It will take a little longer to install them later this month. Really like the Epoch app, too.

Edit: I looked at the Epoch 105AH link in your post and thought you were installing 105AH, what ever size is used, they are very nice batteries. 

 

 

Edited Monday at 07:14 PM by rideandfly

[Wayfinder]

@rideandfly I also have the same 45A charger it put in a couple years ago. I’ll wait until these newer LifeLine AGMs get a bit older. So far they’ve been more power than I need, but will retire in December so camping life style will change greatly. 
 

Keep us up to date. 

[jd1923]

7 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

I know you are just joking.  But let's not toss that glove as someone may try it.  I think our 4/0 cables and lugs would have some concerns if running them at 900 amps. Not to mention our fuses.

Not kidding, just stating that each 300 Ah Essential can take 200A in or out but of course when you run multiple units in parallel, agreed there would be other limiting factors. For example, the Victron MP2 can only charge 120A and requires a 400A fuse which is the max DC in it can invert! As mentioned before, you’d have the run the A/C, microwave and more to hit that limit. As you pointed out, same 400A limit on the 4/0 wire.

There are at least a half dozen Oliver owners that have made this purchase, at this price point, two more with Ken and soon Mike. But don’t spend $2400, wait for the 15% off. I think it’s worth it. I spent $1800 on 600 Ah summer 2024 and $1,020 for the 3rd Epoch 300 during Black Friday sales. So my 900 Ah total is$2,820. Isn’t that close to the cost of three 100 Ah Battleborns for 3x the Ah?

Edited Tuesday at 02:17 AM by jd1923

[rideandfly]

3 hours ago, Wayfinder said:

@rideandfly I also have the same 45A charger it put in a couple years ago. I’ll wait until these newer LifeLine AGMs get a bit older. So far they’ve been more power than I need, but will retire in December so camping life style will change greatly. 
 

Keep us up to date. 

Will do!

[jd1923]

Given the known failures, if Battleborn was to provide you with new batteries under warranty at no additional cost, would you install replacement Battleborn batteries in your special Oliver? Here's another example from a full-timer and YouTuber =>

 

[Geronimo John]

5 hours ago, jd1923 said:

total is$2,820. Isn’t that close to the cost of three 100 Ah Battleborns for 3x the Ah?

I understand your position and thoughts.

But on my end, and more than a few others, we should not have to be replacing our ten year "Bullet Proof Battle Born's" now, and spending a dime is more than we had planned on doing ....until well down the road.  

With "only" a 60 amp PD charger, and a 300 amp fuse my hope is that our 3 BB's will continue to perform. That the Trust side.  On the Verify is... the with lots of inspections and monitoring of course.

GJ

PS:  I really like your nuclear power plant in your Ollie!

 

[ScubaRx]

We are still on our yearly western sojourn but I have 2 x 300Ah Epoch’s waiting for me at home. 
 

If you are using BB’s, I certainly can’t promise you they will fail. But if they do, I can promise you it won’t be in a convenient place. 

[jd1923]

21 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

I understand your position and thoughts.

But on my end, and more than a few others, we should not have to be replacing our ten year "Bullet Proof Battle Born's" now, and spending a dime is more than we had planned on doing ....until well down the road.  

With "only" a 60 amp PD charger, and a 300 amp fuse my hope is that our 3 BB's will continue to perform. That the Trust side.  On the Verify is... the with lots of inspections and monitoring of course.

GJ

PS:  I really like your nuclear power plant in your Ollie!

And I certainly understand yours. Getting ripped off is never a good experience and we've all been there in our lifetimes!

I would worry about two things. First what Steve pointed out. I'd hate to see you stuck somewhere on your upcoming annual trip. I would also worry about fire danger. These issues can happen at any timing, including the hour after an inspection.

On the upside there is greater availability, capability and lower cost LiFePO4 products. When you and others purchased BB batteries, I thought they we're too expensive at the time for my use, so 5-6 years ago on a Class C, I purchased 3 AGM batteries instead (for the cost of one 100 Ah BB).

Rich shared a link to another new product, CRAZY low price! Makes me question what I spent on Epoch. I/we sure hope these Epoch batteries live up to their claimed quality and longevity! Only time will tell...

Edited yesterday at 02:20 AM by jd1923

[Geronimo John]

On 2/9/2026 at 7:24 PM, ScubaRx said:

If you are using BB’s, I certainly can’t promise you they will fail. But if they do, I can promise you it won’t be in a convenient place

Good thoughts.  Fortunately they will not all start to fail at the same time.  Also, thanks to Will P. we know exactly what to look for.  Hence should one of mine start down that path, I'll  pull it out of the harness and "Only" have 200 AH of power.  More than I had when I purchased and used the OTT AGM's for five seasons. 

So we have a pretty decent path forward.  Key is Knowledge, and that comes in great abundance  on our forum!

GJ

Edited yesterday at 06:50 AM by Geronimo John

[Geronimo John]

BUT, when I do upgrade, how well will my existing 3 each BB's  4/0 cabling work for one or two EPOCH's?

Knowing  would determine if I should pack for this season my cable cutter, hydraulic crimper and 4/0 lug kit.  As you know I like to be prepared, have options, and plan ahead.

🙂

GJ

 

 

[Geronimo John]

On 2/10/2026 at 11:08 AM, jd1923 said:

I would worry about two things. First what Steve pointed out. I'd hate to see you stuck somewhere on your upcoming annual trip. I would also worry about fire danger. These issues can happen at any timing, including the hour after an inspection.

Stuck Somewhere:  Above options give me a way around a failure.  Shipping a way to get the replacement battery, and tools to do it in less than a day.  Since my tour route can include Loss Wages, NV I could camp out at Dragon Fly... with an attitude, and Crazy Horse with his quiver of bad messages. 🙂 

Fire Danger:  Great comment.   I will be hooking up the temp sensor, and thanks to your post, will put a fire detector in the battery box just for grins.  Just need to figure out if a "Rate of Heat Rise" or a "Smoke Detector" would be best for that purpose.  (GJ EDIT:  See Below about such a Detector)

GJ

Edited 16 hours ago by Geronimo John
Recommendation noted in below response. GJ

[jd1923]

42 minutes ago, Geronimo John said:

BUT, when I do upgrade, how well will my existing 3 each BB's  4/0 cabling work for one or two EPOCH's?

Knowing  would determine if I should pack for this season my cable cutter, hydraulic crimper and 4/0 lug kit.  As you know I like to be prepared, have options, and plan ahead.

🙂

GJ

Besides the main 4/0 cables already in your Oliver, you just need two about 10" cables which you might already have on your BBs. If you want to do this work when we get together, I've got enough 4/0 cable and a cutter, but just ran out of 4/0 lugs when I added my 3rd Epoch, and I have a killer hydraulic crimper! 😎

[jd1923]

You also want spacing between the batteries, first to dissipate heat, and if one battery has issues it would affect the other less and of course so they do not hit or rub against each other while towing on rough roads. In my two battery installation I had 1 1/2" space at the inner wall, 1 1/2" space in between the two, and 3" on the outside (there is a total 6" extra room in the tray). This also centers the weight more to the inside and directly over the frame support.

Edited yesterday at 05:31 PM by jd1923

[Geronimo John]

JD:

Many thanks for the offer.  I'll order out lugs and cable just to have them in case they are needed at other locations.  I'll also bring my Harbor Freight tools in case my BB's fail on the road.  But your cutter and crimper are for sure higher quality than mine.  Hopefully my BB's will survive at least until the warranty has expired. 

Although I doubt that will be the case so being ready and prepared with options is warranted.  

Many thanks!

GJ

Edited 1 hour ago by Geronimo John

[2008RN]

11 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Besides the main 4/0 cables already in your Oliver, you just need two about 10" cables which you might already have on your BBs. If you want to do this work when we get together, I've got enough 4/0 cable and a cutter, but just ran out of 4/0 lugs when I added my 3rd Epoch, and I have a killer hydraulic crimper!

I updated my Truck to a 245Amp alternator with 4/0 to one battery and upgraded the link between batteries to 2/0.  I ran 1/0 back to the Oli for the Victron DC to DC charger.   While I was working with the big wires, I did the John Davies clean up in the battery compartment with 4/0 with smartshunt and shut off  switch  so that when I upgrade from AGM to Lithium I would have a good foundation. 

I bought a hydraulic crimper and I loved it.  Made all the work so much easier.  While I was at it I bought several extra lugs from 6ga to 4/0.  I love my dog but for me tools are mans best friend. They can make life so much easier, they just aren't warm and snuggly. 

[Geronimo John]

On 2/9/2026 at 4:26 PM, jd1923 said:

Given the known failures, if Battleborn was to provide you with new batteries under warranty at no additional cost, would you install replacement Battleborn batteries in your special Oliver?

Wow tough and good question.

If the hand of GOD had them by a private part and they actually did as you suggested, then my answer would be back to Dragon Fly:

• Did they redesign their 100 AH BB's to address all the issues with the old design?
• What does Will P. have to say about their new design?

🙂

How's that for a sly response?

GJ

[Geronimo John]

BB Owners:

The above thread has some safety precatutions to think about taking if still using them scattered in several posts.  They appear to be:

• Individually inspect and test your BB's as presented by Will P. 
• Also inspect the BB terminals and ALL 4/0 cable lugs with an IR gun or IR camers to visually as suggested above.
• Only charge your BB's if you are present and can check in on them periodically.
• Don't use excessively high charge currents.  My limit is 60 amps for three BB's.
• Install the temperature sensor that came with your 712 Smart.
• Place a rate of heat rise detector in your battery box.  

From AI:  For an RV lithium battery storage box, a Rate-of-Rise (ROR) Heat Detector is generally recommended over a standard smoke detector. Because lithium battery failures often involve rapid overheating (thermal runaway) rather than immediate, thick smoke, ROR detectors provide faster, more reliable alerts by triggering when the temperature spikes quickly, minimizing nuisance alarms from dust or minor temperature fluctuations

GJ

Edited 1 hour ago by Geronimo John
typos as usual....

[Wayfinder]

This thread has evolved into an incredible resource thanks to everyone's input. It’s worth remembering that none of us are affiliated with or endorsed by Battle Born. If a product fails to live up to the marketing hype, we have to prioritize the safety of our families and move on. We can only hope that BB management find their own way out of this.

While the name 'Battle Born' implies strength and integrity, corporate marketing doesn't always align with the reality of the consumer experience. The best approach is to listen to those doing the real-world research and keep sharing what we learn. We won’t always have all the answers, but as a close-knit team, we’re much safer and more successful together. Keep the great info coming, Oliver family!

[Geronimo John]

JD: your battery bay sure looks a lot simpler with your new batteries!  Also like the cross strapping idea.

GJ