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LiTime 100ah purchase

Alan57Alan57 Member Posts: 24
in Battery/Electrical & Solar
Replacing lead acid with lithium. Started to place order and see two alternatives. One basic and one with Bluetooth and two heating modes. Which is preferable? 
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  • pthomas745pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,340
    The Bluetooth "apps" are relatively new, and are not a good replacement for the Victron shunt devices, as far as battery monitoring goes.  They have caused a bit of confusion with data from the internal battery "monitor" not matching up at all with the Victron devices.  
    All lithium batteries these days have "low temp charging protection.'  It is a sensor inside the battery that senses when the battery internal temperature reaches "freezing".  Not the air temp: the temp inside the battery.  If you attempt to charge a lithium battery when the internal "cells" are 32F or below, the battery will be permanently damaged.  The "low temperature charging protection" will prevent this from happening.  The lithium batteries can still be used for powering devices.
    Unless you plan to do a lot of camping in below freezing temps, battery heaters may not be necessary.
    Not sure what you mean about "two heating modes". 
    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • Alan57Alan57 Member Posts: 24
    Thanks. Two heating modes was the Amazon description. Read description and it seems like a misnomer. Heater comes on at one temp and shuts off at another.
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  • GregChrisGregChris Member Posts: 199
    I have a newish Li-Time group24 100ah with bluetooth and low temp protection. I find the bluetooth very informative, better than the victron app. I couldn't believe the difference from my 75ah flooded cell. Instead of 4 to 6 hours of what ever is on in the 2021 320bd, I get 36 to 48 hours with bad solar. If the sun is good, I almost recover completely from over night use. I don't feel I need shunts, or dc/dc chargers. I know Battle Born is the best, but I could buy 4 Li-Times for cost of 1 BB. The Li-Time app and BMS are telling me everything I need to know.
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  • Alan57Alan57 Member Posts: 24
    I will not be doing a lot of camping in freezing weather, but will be traveling the States and who knows. The battery heater kicks in when the core temp drops below 41 degrees and turns off at 50 degrees.  It does require a lithium battery charger initially to start the battery manage system/bluetooth.  I do not currently have a shunt.  So my choice is the basic battery and a shunt, or the battery with the BMS.  Cost is about the same. I don't want to overcomplicate as I am just learning, l just want to know which is being used commonly used.  I want a lithium battery charger either way and am looking at 20 amp options.  Cannot decide between clamps or Anderson connectors. Thoughts?  Also, just confirming, that I can use the charger and still have the wires from the factory convertor attached?  Input is appreciated as I need to place order soon as delivery is 4 to 6 days out and I want to get going. Thanks!
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  • HoriganHorigan Member Posts: 799
    I wouldn't attach the new charger to the battery with clamps for a long term installation.  Clamps are fine for temporary solar panel connections.  I would use ring terminals at the battery or Andersons near the battery. You'll need 12 AWG wire for that amperage.  You can attach multiple chargers to a battery.  
    Rich
    2019 T@b 400
    2013 Toyota Highlander 3.5L V6
    Bellingham WA
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  • rcarlson1957rcarlson1957 Member Posts: 240
    Alan57 I've been using Li-Time lithiums for awhile now. Started out with the 100ah non heated one but ran into some unexpected below freezing weather during shoulder season. Thought about adding external heaters to it but decided to spring for the 100ah with the heater instead. No worries now and the old one has been relegated to use with my trolling motor. Big proponent of Victron products. Been using the smart shunt, temp monitor and solar controller from them for a long time. Never had any problems with either Li-Time batteries or the Victron products. 
    2018 TAB 320S Silver/Black w/100ah Lithium/Bluetti Solar Battery & Portable Solar Panels
    2020 Honda Ridgeline RTL (AWD) Lunar Silver Metallic w/Bluetti Charger 1
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  • Basil48192Basil48192 Member Posts: 432
    Earlier this summer I purchased 2, LiTime, Group 24 batteries.  I didn't think I needed the heater, but absolutely wanted the low temperature shut-off.  So I went with the lower priced option.  So far I love them!  
    I do like the blue-tooth function for the BMS.  However, I have found that the Victron battery monitor is a bit more accurate.
    I have a 2021 T@B, so my converter is not designed for Lithium.  I purchased an external, Victron charger to 'top off' the batteries when needed.  However, I have found that the solar panel(s) work fine to get me to 100% SOC.  
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