Maximizing amp hours for boondocking

[Olive2Roam]

We are looking to identify all of our options for increasing amp hours available when boondocking. We are in the Ollie I with the specs in our signature below. We have found that during the winter months (minimal solar efficiency even on sunny days) we get a maximum of 2 days out of our 260 AH Lithionics bank. We don't try to conserve, so we have a small ice maker going most of the time, use the microwave frequently, etc. We recently added DC-DC charging so if we are traveling frequently there are no issues. We are back to full charge by the next stop. But when we are stationary for 3 or more days we would like not to have to worry about running out of capacity. So these are the options I have identified for expanding capacity while stationary during winter or cloudy weather. Are there others we should consider? Thanks in advance!

• Add a portable panel(s) to more efficiently capture solar
• Replace the 260AH lithionics with batteries with a similar footprint but higher capacity
• Find a way to add another lithionics battery to our bank (Is there a way to do this? There is no enough room in our tray where the 2 batteries sit.)
• Use the DC-DC charging system to charge while idling (this has been a little unreliable so I have been researching why that is)
• Add a standalone power source to be used as reserve such as a 2000W Jackery power station
• Try to conserve while boondocking (probably not going to happen)
• Carry a generator (this option is a distant last)

Thoughts!

Edited 1 hour ago by Olive2Roam

[Mike and Carol]

I would think your best bet are the first two options.  You can replace your current batteries and significantly increase your amp hours.  I just replaced three 100ah batteries with two 300ah batteries, doubling our amp hours but using less space.  An additional panel is easy to do also.  We carried a generator for years, and used it when the weather was non-solar.  They are a pain and I don’t like that option either.  We also carry a Jackery 1000, but it is for Starlink power when we’re off the grid.  Mike

Edited 2 hours ago by Mike and Carol

[Olive2Roam]

Thanks Mike. We would love to get a 600 AH capacity. Did you do that with Lithionics? 

[jd1923]

59 minutes ago, Olive2Roam said:

Thanks Mike. We would love to get a 600 AH capacity. Did you do that with Lithionics? 

I agree with Mike's comments. BTW he and many others installed two 300 Ah Epoch Essentials batteries. I did that too in 2024 and Jan of this year added a 3rd for 900 Ah!

If you provide measurements of your battery bay, we could see what would fit. Don't know for the Elite 1. Also, are you willing to lose the tray? In the E2, 600 Ah fits in the tray and when I went to 3 batteries, I removed the tray and will not miss it since LiFePO4 does not require maintenance. The tray was meant for servicing LA batteries!

Would a second Lithionics 260 fit?

2 hours ago, Olive2Roam said:

•  
• Try to conserve while boondocking (probably not going to happen)
• Carry a generator (this option is a distant last)

We think alike here! After all the work I've done in upgrades, we will not conserve! We're now running our Chill Cube A/C on battery! And I would be embarrassed to fire up a generator, never have and never will, and with technology today there's no need to! 😎

We added a 400W Renogy solar suitcase which we use rarely. It does produce 2x our 320W rooftop solar since you get a better angle in the winter sun. These panels are heavy and LARGE! It sits fine in our 8' truck bed, but you would hardly have the space. They're also a pain to move around all day, keeping them pointing to the sun.

I remember reading that you (again like us) only stay a few days at each location. Our DC2DC charger is the best tool we have!

My take is your best first step is #2 in your list. You need to double your 260 Ah batteries, or better yet, install 600! Page one of my post shows the 600 Ah upgrade and on page 2 upgrading again to 900. Let us know the dimensions of your battery bay so we can make suggestions. 😂

 

Edited 34 minutes ago by jd1923