Single LiFePo4 Battery or Two LiFePo4 Batteries in Hawk?

[Wallowa]

I received a recommendation to use a single Battle Born 100AH battery in my '16 Hawk; rather than using two of the 100AH Battle Born batteries. Replacing my two 75AH AGMs.

Other than cost and weight, is there an advantage to using a single battery?

I know that some times more is not better. But can't wrap my head around going with 100AHs rather than 200AHs. Assuming I have the space and funds!

Any experience you have had would help me in figuring this out...Thanks!

Phil

 

[Outnabout]

I received a recommendation to use a single Battle Born 100AH battery in my '16 Hawk; rather than using two of the 100AH Battle Born batteries. Replacing my two 75AH AGMs.

Other than cost and weight, is there an advantage to using a single battery?

I know that some times more is not better. But can't wrap my head around going with 100AHs rather than 200AHs. Assuming I have the space and funds!

Any experience you have had would help me in figuring this out...Thanks!

Phil

My understanding is the 100ah Battleborn will still be more than your 2 AGMs of 150ah combined because you should only use 1/2 of the amp hours which would be 75 as opposed to being able to use all 100ah in the Battleborn. I’m sure you will get much more and knowledgeable advice from others.

 

[Ruck_and_Roll]

I upgraded to 100 AH battle born. Thought about going to 200 AH. 100 AH has been fine. I do 100% boon docking. My main power drain is the Truck Fridge 130. With 260 watts of solar and DC charging from truck I don't think I have ever gone below 50% battery. Before going to Lithium battery I also upgraded all the light fixtures to LED lighting. Best thing to do would be to compute your power needs. I think there are some posts regarding that in the past. In my personal experience 100 AH has been plenty.

 

[Ted]

I would say it depends on your use. As R&R says above, one battery works for him with the main draw being the fridge. But if you are running the fridge, heater, charging phones, and using a plugged in laptop, that might be enough.
We are having a new rig built right now. We went with two lithium batteries and 400 watts of solar on the roof. I don't want to ever have to worry about enough battery charge.

 

[Wallowa]

I would say it depends on your use. As R&R says above, one battery works for him with the main draw being the fridge. But if you are running the fridge, heater, charging phones, and using a plugged in laptop, that might be enough.
We are having a new rig built right now. We went with two lithium batteries and 400 watts of solar on the roof. I don't want to ever have to worry about enough battery charge.

Thanks folks....appreciate you input.

Ted, I have 330w and while I don't use a laptop or anything other than the FWC installs, I also boondock a lot and constantly monitor what will eventually be our "limiter" that requires me to return to the 'chaos' ....propane, water and electrical power, gasoline for the truck...all else for us is fluff.........oh, forgot, also coffee and chocolate...but I carry a lot of both....

Phil

 

[Jon R]

I'm planning to put two Battleborn 100Ah batteries in my new Grandby shortly after it's delivered. I'm planning to install 400 watts of solar panels with a Victron MPPT 100/30, and an Orion 12/12-30 DC to DC charger. It may be overkill, but I live in the Pacific Northwest where the weather is often cloudy. I ordered the largest compressor fridge, and I expect my wife will run the heat some at night. Other than that I'll have typical loads plus some phone and laptop charging.

 

[Vic Harder]

Phil, 100AH of Lithium is lots for your usage. Its the equivalent of 200AH of AGM, and you only have 150AH now. Save money for more chocolate or a new set of skis.

 

[LAWNMOWERMAN]

Get 2-100 amp hour Battle Born batteries,you will not regret it.I have a Dometic compressor fridge and an ARB 50qt chest set at 5f.I also have a 1000 watt inverter for my 3qt Instant Pot and my coffee grinder.

 

[Wallowa]

Phil, 100AH of Lithium is lots for your usage. Its the equivalent of 200AH of AGM, and you only have 150AH now. Save money for more chocolate or a new set of skis.

Vic...good wisdom...I believe you worked out that my Hawk as configured at full boogey will only draw 18a... I understand that my 2x75AH AGMs at best when fresh and new could be used down 75AH and a 100AH Li could go at least to 80AH; and as I understand Li recharge quicker than my AGMs.....thanks for your advice.

Phil

 

[Dafinga]

Not to jump on this bandwagon but......Can I just drop Battleborns into my 2017 Hawk Flatbed to replace the AGMs? I thought I would need a new solar controller and charging setup?

-Pete

 

[BrianG]

Dafinga, look up ‘Specific Lithium Batt Question’ in the search function. It discusses just changing out your AGMs for Lithium.

 

[Dessmo]

If your solar controls also is from 2017 I think it should have settings for lithium. If not, my Victron unit also have the option to manually set the charge parameters. Some more details you can find here: https://www.hagensieker.com/wordpress/2020/02/05/battleborn-batteries-lifepo4-settings-on-epever-mppt-charge-controller/

Not to jump on this bandwagon but......Can I just drop Battleborns into my 2017 Hawk Flatbed to replace the AGMs? I thought I would need a new solar controller and charging setup?

-Pete

 

[Dessmo]

I run 100AH LiFePo lithium. Last trip that was enough power to run my systems for around 2 days with out charging. I have a 200w solar, but almost zero effect this time of the year. My diesel heater draw around 1-2A per hour depending on fan speed, cooler around 20AH pr day, interior led light around 0.5-1.5A when in use. In addition charging phone and iPad draws some. All adds up, so close to 50AH per day. I will manage with 100 AH most of the time, worst case I will run the truck for som time to charge. The good thing with my battery is that I can monitor how much is left and take action as required.

 

[Lighthawk]

We jumped ship and recently went with Renology 100ah lithium. Our system never went below 13v during a week long camping trip over the solstice with <8hrs charging using our 130w panel on the roof. Results were much better than with our previous agm battery, when we felt voltage scarcity with rationing of when we could charge our tablet, phones, camera batteries.

After a longer trip with water scarcity, fuel scarcity and needing our backup propane bottle on a sub-freezing night, it was a relief not to worry about our electrical system. Peace of mind.

 

[Wallowa]

If your solar controls also is from 2017 I think it should have settings for lithium. If not, my Victron unit also have the option to manually set the charge parameters. Some more details you can find here: https://www.hagensieker.com/wordpress/2020/02/05/battleborn-batteries-lifepo4-settings-on-epever-mppt-charge-controller/

My '16 Hawk FWC Zamp Controller does not support LiFePo4 batteries, sometime later they did start offering an Li compatible controller...scroll the screen to see if Li comes up..

 

[scappoosebrad]

ugg,..that the FWC Zamp Controller does not support these new lithium batts?? was that the factory installed unit? ...

what does the FWC factory folks say about that...maybe worth a "consult" with them...as many with 2016 units are coming up to battery replacement time...I see us in the near future definitely wanting the more efficient Li batt--1 12v would work for our needs..now have 2 6-v AGMs as others have mentioned above...have a '16 Fleet with installed solar panel/set up from factory...

 

[Wallowa]

ugg,..that the FWC Zamp Controller does not support these new lithium batts?? was that the factory installed unit? ...

what does the FWC factory folks say about that...maybe worth a "consult" with them...as many with 2016 units are coming up to battery replacement time...I see us in the near future definitely wanting the more efficient Li batt--1 12v would work for our needs..now have 2 6-v AGMs as others have mentioned above...have a '16 Fleet with installed solar panel/set up from factory...

Yes, OEM....My '16 FWC Hawk had the 160w Zamp panel and Zamp ZS30 Controller installed...does not support Li....I have added a Zamp 170w panel and will soon go to a Victron 100/30 Controller...I did change out the Eaton Separator and installed a Blue Sea 7611 and added a Victron BMV 712 to monitor SOC.....likewise, I will also go to Li batteries soon as my AGMs are now 5 years old...

Phil

 

[Wallowa]

I guess the question to be answered:

Has anyone put two 100 AH Battle Born batteries in a Hawk battery box? [Assuming all Hawk boxes are the same size.]

If yes, which ones and were there any "issues"?

Thanks...Phil

 

[Mthomas]

two of the Golfcart type battleborns will fit, but it is tight. There is not room for two of the group 27 types in the current Hawk config. I think 100Ah would be fine, if you have an issue, you can order a second one and have it shipped to wherever you are at the moment. You could also install a second group 27 size in another location as no venting is required.

 

[Hoopy]

Phil, 100AH of Lithium is lots for your usage. Its the equivalent of 200AH of AGM, and you only have 150AH now. Save money for more chocolate or a new set of skis.

I'll second that ......new sticks and lots of chocolate! Hoop