Lithium Upgrade…One Big Battery or Two Smaller Batteries?

manyman297

I believe my original AGM batteries are on their way out and need to figure out a replacement solution soon. 

I could get the LiTime 230ah single large battery or two smaller group 24 LiTime batteries (200ah total). 

Is there any advantage to running two smaller batteries in parallel vs. running the single larger battery alone? I do like the idea of having a “backup” battery in case one fails but I also like the ease of install on the larger battery.

Just looking for any insight!

RTWCTS

45LBS. for the 230AH vs 21LBS. each for the 100AH batteries is what I see on the LiTime site. As long as you can lift it in and out of the spot, no worries. I'm getting to the point that I need to consider such things...

manyman297

@RTWCTS aside the weight is there any advantage of one over the other? I just missed out on a lightning deal on Amazon for the smaller 100ah battery but they have a coupon to get it fairly close to where it was…so if we went by ah-per-dollar the smaller batteries would win.

edit: actually the ah-per-dollar is about the same. The 230ah battery has low temp protection which I don’t need (just plan to have the battery completely disconnected in the winter).

kevmon

You’ll save a little on cabling with a single battery. I have two 100 ah batteries and if I did it again would go with one Epoch 300 ah. That li time 230 ah looks like a great battery.

Add what you want to your shopping cart on the Li Time site include your email and address then leave. Wait for a coupon in your email within 24 hours. It seems like that is how many of these companies work trying to close the deal before you select a different battery company. 

Edited.
I also saw there’s an 8% discount for signing up for LiTime email. That 230ah is nice and thin in width, would fit easily in front of Air8. Obviously would work in passenger bench. 

marleecamps

I purchased the Li Time 230 ah battery because it fits nicely in the existing battery compartment - and has the built-in charging shutoff when the temp dips below freezing.  Was a snap to swap out.  If you opt for two 100ah batteries, pay close attention to dimensions as the ones I was looking at were too large.

Hammick

I would email LiTime as ask when they will have a Bluetooth version of that 230ah battery.  I have the 100ah Bluetooth version and the app is so nice.  The Bluetooth version keeps track of AH in and out so no need for a Victron Smartshunt.  You also have the ability to completely turn off the battery with the app so no need for an additional disconnect.

manyman297

@kevmon thanks for the heads up. I found an 8% off coupon. Gets the price down to $473 for the two group 24 100ah batteries. How much of a discount was through email if you abandoned your cart?

@marleecamps I initially wanted to go with the 230ah but the sales on the 100ah are too good to pass up and honestly this expense wasn’t expected so I’m having to choose carefully. I plan on shutting off charging in the winter and we don’t camp if it gets below freezing.

@Hammick I have the Victron shunt but I did see a video of the built in Bluetooth functions and it looked great.

kevmon

@manyman297 Ive seen 10%, but I think they constantly change their discounts. It seemed they always have a sale. 8% is good enough for a very affordable battery. I don’t think you can make a bad decision here. Good luck! 

b407driver

marleecamps said:

I purchased the Li Time 230 ah battery because it fits nicely in the existing battery compartment - and has the built-in charging shutoff when the temp dips below freezing.  Was a snap to swap out.  If you opt for two 100ah batteries, pay close attention to dimensions as the ones I was looking at were too large.

Was it pretty much 'plug and play', i.e. just hook it up and done? Not sure if you have solar, but if you do, did you have to change settings on the Victron solar controller? My second set of two AGMs just went, and just purchased the 230 aH from LiTime for $578 including tax. Won't worry about the WFCO WF-8955PEC converter not being optimized for lithium, as I am rarely plugged in, and can always top off with solar. Thanks for any info.

manyman297

@b407driver You'll need to go into your solar controller settings and make some changes. I can't speak directly to the 230AH LiTime as it could differ but start with changing the battery type to lithium...that will at least get your settings close and then there are some specs in the manual that will be more specific to your battery you'll have to change as well. I was hoping for a plug 'n play scenario but I got a good education on how lithium works. Reach out to the folks here. They've been great in helping me as well. 

3sport73

I have 2 LiTime 100Ah batteries being delivered tomorrow. Thanks for the insights on this thread.

SLJ

Make sure they are both charged to 100% before they are connected together. You don't want them to try to balance at uneven levels of charge. They can dump a lot of amps into one another.

elbolillo

Balancing LiFePo batteries before connecting together is necessary when connected in series. If connected in parallel it is not required. 

SLJ

Yes it is. True the individual cells inside each battery balance but when you connect two or more batteries in parallel they will try to bring each other to the same charge level. If one is fully charged and the other isn't they will try to equalize (balance) and one could try to dump a lot of current into the other to bring it up to it's level. This should be avoided by charging both to 100% before connecting.