The Quest for good Batteries
As many of you know I am converting a 1991 Shuttle Bus to become my RV and mobile office / workshop / studio.
The Bus itself has a huge 97lb Group 4D lead acid battery that I just replaced. Currently the entire Bus (engine, lights, cabin) run off of it.
I am in the process of splitting the electrical system so the cabin is separate and uses a LiFePO4 Battery which is more effective all around.
While doing research, I ran across a Group 8D which is fairly new to the RV market: LiFePO4 12V 460Ah which is Heated with Bluetooth & Victron Comms made by Epoch Batteries that Will Prowse was gushing over. I follow him on YouTube as he tests all the brands and literally tears them apart to see what makes them tick.
Turns out Epoch has been around for over 10 years, but focused on Marine and Golf Cart batteries. In the last year or so they also started into the RV market. You can really see the Marine influence in the design of the battery. Besides being built like a tank, it has Victron communications built in.
I went ahead and based on my reading, Will's comments, and my electrical design (using 12v Victron MultiPlus-II 3KVA 120V output inverter/charger) ordered one with its optional mounting brackets. It is ~89lb but is a great form factor for my needs. P.S. I also found a 10% off coupon for it, so if you want one, always check. With the discount, shipping directly from Epoch in Georgia, and the taxes, I was still able to come under my $2,000 budget for the battery.
In theory it should arrive Monday August 26th, and I'll keep you up to date on it.
460 Ah should last a while. I just replace the battery in the 5th wheel. I was going to go lithium 100 Ah but I was informed the converter charger would have to be replaced also. I did up size the lead acid battery two group sizes and I’ll upgrade the converter charger next time.
Yes, unfortunately the charger type has to match. I'm piecemealing it, going to buy the Victron Multiplus-II hopefully next month. It's a Great unit, but also $999.. one step at a time. BTW, it charges Lead Acid, LiFePO4, and more. Epoch makes smaller batteries, but they don't have all the features like the 460 Ah.
I really don't plan to have any major draws other than keeping food properly. So a 3Kw system should work. The workbench is all quick bursts of power draw, all the lighting will be LED, and I have quite few tricks to keep things in check. And all the computers and radios (yeah, lots of both) are all 12v based.. only a few low power units are on all the time.
After the Multiplus, I will be looking at Solar for the Roof. That's another big rabbit hole, but I will be using the Victron MPPT controller for it. They design for hard rough use (like boats) and everything communicates with each other which is important to me. I already have their Cerbo GX controller coming because the Epoch talks to it.
The battery arrived Friday the 23rd ahead of schedule, and I am VERY impressed with the build quality and features.. esp for the price. And yes that is a Victron Inverter/Charger next to it. Note that it is Screwed together not glued, and all the comms are IP rated connectors. The metal plate in the center is also not just decoration, it is part of a very large heat sink attached to the BMS system inside. What a Tank ..
We replaced ours with Lithium and changed our converter to go with our batteries. So, on this, can not help. Hope what ever you decide it works for you.
Yep, there is so much to consider especially when replacing an existing battery system. I'm lucky that I am starting from scratch so can design the space to fit what I chose to use.
On the down side, I do have to contend with the existing battery bay for the bus. I bought a new Group 4D for it, but when I slid out the tray it sits on, it is rusted out to the point where I have to remove it and find a welding shop to fix it. It's always something.