Lithium batteries: Are they worth the upgrade for your motorhome?

This week, Matt and Keith take a deep dive into the new technology of lithium leisure batteries, how they work and whether you actually need one for your motorhome, campervan or caravan.
Lithium batteries are becoming more popular in leisure vehicles, with many people deciding to replace their more traditional wet lead acid batteries, but they are a much bigger initial investment. Matt shines a light on the questions you should ask yourself and your installer before committing, from usage, replacing old batteries, solar charging and the full costs involved.
We also drop in on Oakleigh, from the award-winning Bristol Caravans, to get his take on what types of circumstances might make a lithium battery worthwhile.
Read the full transcript here:
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[@colinturner4158]

Thanks Matt for asking the questions that need answering

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Thank you for watching and supporting!

[@Rudykanal]

Hi, Thanks for yet another informative video! However, there are some false statements going on here. It is said: “Lithium must have between 14V and 14,6V charging otherwise it can be overcharged”. First, you don´t need to charge to even 14V. Second, you can´t overcharge with these voltages unless the voltage never drops down after bulk charge (Witch would be a faulty charger). Anything from 13,8V to 14,6V will fully charge a lithium battery, but it will charge slower at the end of the charge cycle at the lowest voltages. It is good practice for the battery life not to charge to voltages higher than necessary and store it at a bit lower state of charge. This is contrary to the lead-acid battery. Discharge to 6V is also a stretch. No one will recommend going below 10V. This is also the voltage the BMS will disconnect the battery. This means you can “safely” discharge the battery until it disconnects. So, you will never experience anything below 10V. Also changing to a “lithium” charger may not be the solution unless it is adjustable and therefore suited for our way of use, which is not the same as for our rechargeable tools and so on. We are plugged in almost all the time and the charger should have a lower float voltage than usual. It is also stated in the video that a lithium battery can take higher charge current. This is a shortened version og the truth. Actually, it is the opposite. The typical lithium battery will disconnect it selves at above approx. 50-60A (will vary). A lead battery can take much more. However, the lead battery will in practice reach the upper voltage earlier and the charger will deny higher charge current. So, the fact that the lithium will charge faster is not the same as it can take higher charge current. The reason is that the charge current will stay higher, longer (due to lower internal resistance), and because the charge loss is much less. Most of the charge current will convert to stored charge. In a lead battery some 20% will be lost to heat.

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Great comments thank you ! We did cut a 'lot' of explanatory detail from the video to keep it on track but your comments are all taken on board thank you

[@GoodnightIrene]

Good watch , although I’m not sure how a £700 lithium battery ends up costing 6-7k with the added extras …. Seems a bit excessive to me 😮

[@martinsherman6681]

Excellent review of the lithium choices. Yes it is expensive when professionally installed, set to work and an installation certificate for the owner. I wonder if a power bank is a solution by plugging it into the mains hook up, this way you would feed your vans consumer box and have that protection. Are the power banks ready for this?

[@theonlydarruss]

Ever thought about just putting a link to the Oaktree interviews? I cannot find it anywhere.

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Then I’m glad you found this one! Thanks for watching and commenting

[@dreamcatchersontour282]

Hi Matt, Just watched your video, fantastic info very helpful for me as this is what I will be doing at some stage this year. Please help as I can't find the link that you mention about Oakleigh wood video. I liked to watch this video about Lithiums battery systems. Many thanks for your help, Russell.

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Thank you, Russell! Very happy you found the video useful. Apologies, that video is yet to be published as the team had to make some last minute changes. Hoping we can get it out this week though.

[@dreamcatchersontour282]

@@MotorhomeMatt Thanks Matt for letting me know. Take care and stay safe 👍 👌👍

[@jonny-yc1kz]

Hi Matt, by implication it feels like you are saying you shouldn't use an invertor with a leisure type battery due to the drain curve, however I would think if you have enough battery capacity and monitor the usage it would be okay. I'm updating my 2001 Herald MH for off grid use, and will end up with 2 or 3 leisure batteries with up to 300 AH, a 1500w invertor and would imagine I can get away with some heavy use, but keeping an eye on voltage drop, would you agree?

[@Rudykanal]

I agree with you Jonny. You can very well use an inverter with a lead-acid battery, provided it is capable of holding the voltage at the load you are presenting. This is for example with using two or more batteries in parallel, or having a battery rated for higher currents. Lead-acid batteries comes in many flavours and some are exceeding the lithium capabilities in many ways (being more expensive though).

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Yes you can use an inverter with Lead Acid batteries no problem. The consideration is really how much current you plan to draw, for how long and how quickly do you want to recharge the battery. If you need a large current over a long period then Lithium may be a better solution for you. Hope this helps?

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Thank you Rudy. Gel is a consideration too of course.

[@colinturner4158]

A battery pack is between 8 to 20 grand

[@colinturner4158]

Is hydrogen a alternative

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Certainly is, many companies are looking into this already. We've got lots of upcoming content around alternatives and EV.

[@lee.m.bennett2635]

£6.5k 🤣🤣 motorhome tax in full effect folks! I know it’s older video but even at the time £2k tops plus some labour. £4.5k rip off merchants. 😂

[@MotorhomeMatt]

This included solar install too I recall. I’ve seen lithium installs that cost £12k!

[@lee.m.bennett2635]

@@MotorhomeMatt ​​⁠As an electrical engineer and years of Victron off grid and van installs. Still triple the price. Could fit lithium, DC2DC, solar, smart shunt and Cerbo and touchscreen for about 2-3k even at that time.. 12k yea dealer again 😂