Solar or lithium or combo?

Hello,
I have a 2016 model 2351 Phoenix Cruiser.  I have been doing more camping off the grid and am looking for longer battery life.  My standard batteries need to be replaced so thought now would be a good time to consider options other than just replacing what I have. My skills are pretty basic so this will be something I do through my RV tech.  Looking for guidance from other Phoenix Cruiser users that may have been down this path.

Costco has a Lion Energy Safari UT 1300 BT lithium battery.  Salesperson said it was an easy replacement (just drop it in they said) and that I would only need one lithium battery. Not sure I totally believe that.

Have also considered installing a roof solar system that charges either new standard batteries or a single lithium. 

Am waiting for pricing from RV tech but thought I would check to see if any on you have some advice.  MANY THANKS,
Kathleen

Hi Kathleen,

Like yourself, we camp without hook-ups most often.

Our 2007 PC-2350 originally came with 2 wet acid 12V batteries.  We changed them one time with the same basic type of deep cycle 12V battery, but I bought that 2nd set from Walmart.  In each case, we got only two good years from them.  Year #3 was marginal.  Year #4 was poor.

For the 3rd set of batteries, I decided to go out on a limb and try two 6V AGM batteries.  I bought them at Sam's Club for $180 each.  That was in April of 2015.  I still have them today performing very satisfactory.  They offer notably more battery power than either set of the 12V wet acid batteries ever did.

My original 12V wet acid batteries were in a slide-out tray which was needed to check fluid levels.  The sealed AGM batteries do not require such maintenance, hence no need for a slide-out tray.  Replacing the tall-standing battery tray with a simple sheet metal platform, provided adequate clearance to accommodate the extra height of the 6V batteries.

Click on the link to see some pictures of the conversion.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/37432012@N08/albums/72157682845982114/

As you know, Lithium batteries are supposed to the best.  Back in 2015, Lithiums were so terribly expensive, and our on-board Tripp-Lite inverter/charger was not capable of managing them properly.  So going with 6V AGMs was a reasonable and affordable compromise.  One day when I have to replace my AGMs again, I will be not be changing technologies.....I will stay with 6V AGMs because they meet our needs very well.

Hello,
I have a 2016 model 2351 Phoenix Cruiser.  I have been doing more camping off the grid and am looking for longer battery life.  My standard batteries need to be replaced so thought now would be a good time to consider options other than just replacing what I have. My skills are pretty basic so this will be something I do through my RV tech.  Looking for guidance from other Phoenix Cruiser users that may have been down this path.

Costco has a Lion Energy Safari UT 1300 BT lithium battery.  Salesperson said it was an easy replacement (just drop it in they said) and that I would only need one lithium battery. Not sure I totally believe that.

Have also considered installing a roof solar system that charges either new standard batteries or a single lithium. 

Am waiting for pricing from RV tech but thought I would check to see if any on you have some advice.  MANY THANKS,
Kathleen

Don’t just take the Costco salesman’s word.
Check the battery manufacturers’s specifications. You need to know if a single  105ah Lion Energy Safari battery  can deliver enough amps to start the Onan 4000 generator, and what the required charging voltage is. Then you need to know if the converter in your 2016 PC has a high enough charging voltage, or if that needs to be replaced too. If you have your PC owner’s manual packet refer to the converter manual for the make and model. Then if you can’t get the answers from the battery and converter manufacturers, also talk with the people at Battle Born or Enduro Power to find the right single battery Li-Ion solution.

Don’t feel overwhelmed by all the volts and amps stuff. Just reach out to tech support at those companies to help you select what’s compatible. With the price of Li-Ion batteries dropping , others will be wanting to do this upgrade too so please continue to update the thread with your findings.

Don't make things complicated no problem by dropping in a 12v 100 Amp lithium battery in your 2016 PC best upgrade I ever did on my 2018 chargers perfect while driving  or hooked to shore power always holding full power with my 2000 watt inverter I run my coffee pot  toaster Don't need my generator in the morning what a pleasure my lithium is a chins check them out heated and blue tooth $349. A second one with an isolated switch you good to go.i run my slides starts my Onan 4000 ect. No problems have no solar I boondocks most of the time my biggest problem is finding dump stations

CAUTION!!!  be careful before you add lithium batteries and call the manufacturer of both your inverter and converter manufacturers to see what they recommend. I did and found that a lithium house battery and the engine have different voltage profiles and special equipment may be necessary. Plus your converter may use different charging stages and the equalization stage was too much voltage for a lithium battery bank. I avoided all these variables by using 2 12V 100Ah Renology Deep Cycle Hybrid GEL Batteries. They were a perfect in the PC battery tray. And along with my solar panel I've never ran out of normal power needs while dry camping. But I use propane for my frig, use the generator for the microwave and never use the AC. AND Renology Hybrid Gel Batteries are less than $175 compared to over $600 for lithium. I'm on the third year with this setup without every having a dead coach or engine battery while being stored or camping.