Installing and using a lithium battery in a Bailey Unicorn Caravan

[@mervegaskin1132]

Hi all, since this video was made, I have changed my caravan to a Coachman VIP . I have had Roadpro transfer all the kit to the new van but with little refinements like a ‘priority switch’ etc. I have just returned from a 6(six) week holiday in Wales and boy- was it wet! Overcast most days even if it didn’t rain but the panels (now 2 x 150w) kept the charge going into the Lithium which was never below 87% SoC and mainly above 95%. Our first trip out in the new van was 42 nights on a fabulous site at a saving of roughly £10pn if I had had hook up - you work it out- Lithium has to be the future.

[@BBQ-Sausages]

Great video, I will be a convert when I change my next battery!

[@johngoochy1432]

I’m sold! Plan to purchase lithium batteries from road pro soon.

Can you tell me have you plugged your inverter in to the caravan standard ehu plug so you can use your 13amp plug sockets thank you

[@jimcoyle2786]

What’s a modorhome?

[@Mike-ip8hg]

Are you still happily using your lithium battery setup or any problems 😮

[@louistaylor8282]

Do you know of any good Installers closer to Plymouth for this kind of upgrade?

[@leesmith9299]

Right on. I'd suggest a refillable gas system to go with it. Probably save £1.50 a day running the fridge. Might be a bit tricky maneuvering that van through the pumps though. Reversing when you leave could help.

[@MotorhomeAndy]

Spot on Lee. Merve is a huge fan of SafeFill gas and has a cylinder in his caravan. He won't use anything else.

[@mervegaskin1132]

I have had a Safefill Cylinder for 5 years and I can’t praise it high enough. 25% of the price Calor rentals!! Don’t need to take the van- just take the cylinder and fill it- Morrisons now accept Safefill!

[@johnfitzpatrick2083]

@@mervegaskin1132 you can instal a compressor fridge and this system will run it very well.

[@mervegaskin1132]

John Fitzpatrick thanks. I am looking a compressor fridges but haven’t gone any further than that. It’s certainly something for the future

[@SuperRogers007]

Do you have to take the battery out in winter when your not using the van ? Many thanks John

[@MotorhomeAndy]

No, you don't John as long as it's a good-quality battery.

[@SuperRogers007]

@@MotorhomeAndy Thank you Andy for replying 🙏 we have a little girl who loves the TV and ipad on would this be OK? Sorry to pester you

[@MotorhomeAndy]

@@SuperRogers007 it's not a good idea to let any battery go flat or to leave it flat.

[@SuperRogers007]

Thanks Andy , so before I ring Road Pro to book my caravan in . This battery along with solar panels will run our van ok ? As I said we the little one love the tv in the evening. Many thanks John

[@MotorhomeAndy]

@@SuperRogers007 As long as there's some sunshine to generate power from the solar panel. 🌞

[@chesneyhawkes5052]

Good info how many amps are you charging the battery with ? How will you cope with winter charging no solar etc ?

[@andrewharris169]

Amps vary according to how the battery is charged. Up to 25A when driving. In winter there's still sunlight and, if necessary, running the engine will quickly put charge into the battery.

[@mervegaskin1132]

It depends on the brightness of the sun. The battery will charge in daylight but if it’s overcast and dark then it takes a time simply because the battery holds so much power. I am increasing the solar by another 100watts .

[@mervegaskin1132]

Since the making of this video and because I am now changing my caravan and because Solar is becoming so much more affordable, I am having a 310w Solar Panel fitted to the roof weighing 18kilos but due to the fact that I have removed two hugely heavy LA batteries, I am still way under where I was! . This should allow much faster charging of the battery which of course, a Lithium can take. The opportunity to go off grid has never been so great - yes, the initial investment is high but the rewards are 10 times greater. All the kit can be moved from van to van- including the SP! Happy off gridding all.

[@CanadianCampaholic]

Is there any fire risk associated with these batteries? I understand the fires can be nasty...and he has it under his bed? Maybe the tech has come a long way. I know my lipo batteries for my drone have to be stored in a fire proof container, but maybe I’m comparing apples and oranges?

[@MotorhomeAndy]

No Sir, no fire risk. These are LiFePO4 batteries and they are different from the batteries used in phones, cameras, drones, etc: those are lithium polymer batteries. LiFePO4 batteries are not subject to "thermal runaway" which is what can cause other types of lithium battery to catch fire. LiFePO4 batteries are used in aircraft.

[@CanadianCampaholic]

MotorhomeAndy Fantastic! Thanks for clarifying :-)

[@mervegaskin1132]

This is something that I went into deeply. I sat with staff of NDS at Roadpro’s offices and drilled them about it. I was happy with the answers they gave. As ANDY says, this is not a Lithium Ion Battery but a Lithium Phosphate- a different animal. Hope this helps.

[@alinherts5414]

Great video! Are you able to provide a list of the parts you used?

[@andrewharris169]

Merve had a 100Ah NDS lithium battery, a Sterling battery-to-battery charger, a Votronic solar regulator and a solar panel - don't know what size but probably 100W.

[@mervegaskin1132]

135w

[@alinherts5414]

Many thanks

[@mervegaskin1132]

With my new Coachman I have 300 w solar- 2 x 150w each identical panels. Fit as much Solar as you can physically fit or afford whichever one comes first- you will never regret fitting too much but you will regret not fitting enough!

[@lorrets9775]

Wow what a good idea, can they be used in motorhomes ?

[@mervegaskin1132]

Andy explains in the video that they are becoming almost common in Motorhomes. I have now used it for many days offgrid. It has not yet been below 80%. This has to be the future AND they work out cheaper than Lead Acid.

[@jimcoyle2786]

Lotzie Sand, are you stupid?

[@onemanandhisdogsgoawonderi4630]

Hi M Where did you get it fitted? Ta

[@mervegaskin1132]

Roadpro at Daventry

[@wakeyjamie]

Hiya, this might be a stupid question but would I have have to change my Elektroblock EBL 99 and my MPPT ePever Tracer Solar Controller if i was to change to a Lithium leisure battery? Also, does the wiring need to be changed. Many thanks.

[@RoadproUk]

You will have to change the solar regulator if it's not lithium compatible. Wiring may need changing. EBL probably not.

[@mervegaskin1132]

Hi Jamie, As Roadpro say- it needs to be lithium compliant. As you hear on the video, The Wildside Battery to Battery charger and the Votronic regulator both have lithium cycles. Cableing is most important to avoid voltage drop but I can tell you that Roadpro did a first class job!!

[@iansenior9759]

I thought Lithium Batteries set on fire. Not a good way to lose your caravan. An expensive battery