upgrading to 640 AH batteries

[Ospreybob]

We have our original three Lithionics batteries for a total of 390 AH, and are considering an upgrade to two 320 AH Lithionics batteries (640 AH total).  We have been camping with the 390 set up since 2021 and usually use about 10% of the charge per day when we are dry camping.  For those of you who have upgraded from 390 to 640, do you think it was worth it in terms of extending your time off grid?  Thanks for your input!   

[Steve and MA]

Seems like you can already dry camp for over a week at a time without needing to recharge your batteries. Are your batteries limiting the duration of your adventures? We have the factory 630 AH package and it's proven to be more than enough. For us it's the holding tank capacity that limits us to 5 - 6 days off grid.  We have taken advantage of the battery capacity for running the air conditioner overnight when camped without shore power, but we recharge with a generator during the day. 

[jd1923]

5 hours ago, Ospreybob said:

For those of you who have upgraded…

We went from lead acid to 600 Ah 1 1/2 years ago. Different brand name which doesn’t matter. Large Ah capacity is great! Based on your numbers, we use much more electric than you do. In simple numbers, your proposed upgrade will give you 64% greater capacity (640/390)! What was 10%/day would be 6% per day with this upgrade! (390/10/640=6%)

Having more is never an issue. Not having enough would can be!

We just upgraded to 900 Ah, wanting to run our new extremely efficient Furrion Chill Cube A/C on inverter! I want to Boondock in AZ, not dead of summer, but running A/C for say 3 hours late afternoon each day. I figure we can do that for a week on 900 Ah!

We did one 8-day trip. Left home at 80% SOC, came home just over 50% (we also have DC2DC charger).

Chris worries when SOC is down in the 50s. I’ve learned not to. During our trip I told her, 50% of 900 is the same as 75% of 600 Ah! Just think we have 75%! 😎

[Ospreybob]

Thanks, folks. John- what 900 AH battery system were you able to install?

The truth is, we'd like to run our instant pot, small floor heater and induction cook top more often for longer periods of time.  And it would be nice to have the option of running the AC more when we are dry camping.

 

[jd1923]

43 minutes ago, Ospreybob said:

John- what 900 AH battery system were you able to install?

Bob, see page two of my upgrade post, when I went from 600 to 900 Ah. You'd have to remove the tray but I figured out a way to tie everything down nicely and lock into place! It didn't budge in the 920 miles we just put on to Sierra Vista/Bisbee and 8 days boondocking on several dirt roads.

I've never priced Lithionics, but guessing 900 in Epoch is < money, though I'm NOT trying to change your brand preference. Epoch will offer 10-15% OFF again soon (4-5 times a year), so don't let them fool you with the 5% off they had going recently. If interested, get on their emailing list. Best wishes in your upgrade. Yeah, go for it!

 

Edited Friday at 11:25 PM by jd1923

[Ospreybob]

Was cost the main reason you chose the Epoch batteries vs. the Lithionics?  I am not sure how to choose among the current lithium RV battery manufacturers.  And will the higher amp hour batteries generate more heat to the point of needing a fan in the battery compartment?

[Steph and Dud B]

We've had the 640Ah Lithionics from the start with a 3-way fridge. More battery power than we've ever needed. I think the lowest we ever got was 63% after a week camping in full shade during rainy weather. 

16 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Chris worries when SOC is down in the 50s. I’ve learned not to. During our trip I told her, 50% of 900 is the same as 75% of 600 Ah!

It's funny. We were used to camping with a single lead acid deep cycle battery in our old trailers so I still find myself going around turning off lights and watching the battery SOC like a hawk. I have to learn to relax. Like @Steve and MA said, holding tanks are the limiting factor now.