Best Battery System for RV - AGM vs LifePo4

As this video is now over three years old some of the information here (especially regarding cost, but also technological improvements) is somewhat outdated! Technology moves fast, so much has changed in the quality, pricing, and compatibility of lithium batteries. Although the premise of the argument was true, then, please check out this updated because a LOT has changed over these last 3 years!

Lithium Battery Video:

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If this video helped you out or saved you a few bucks, please consider buying my a coffee. It really helps, thank you!

[craigbeattie]

How do you not have more subscribers?! Your videos are so much more comprehensive and your ability to explain things for everyone to understand is so much better than other youtubers. Keep the fantastic content coming!

[chrisk]

I've never subscribed to a channel faster than just now. No fluff. All facts. Presented in a very clear speech that even I can understand. You are breath of fresh air on YT! I look forward to learning more from you. Thank you!!

[HandiLuv]

I just came across your channel because I’m a 3rd year RV newbie and I’m researching upgrading for this upcoming camping season of 2024. This is how I came across your channel searching for information so I can make an educated decision. Man did you drop a lot of information in my lap that I’m still trying to digest because this is all brand new to me and I know nothing about it. I really thank you for your time and effort with educating the uneducated like myself when it comes to this field. I will be watching some more of your videos and really hope you have time to respond to a few questions that I have for you because I plan on upgrading my battery system and adding some portable solar panels.

[OnTeamHumanity]

I was very close to upgrading to a Lithium battery and decided to hold off. Glad I did. The cheapest solution and probably the most reliable is to just use a small camping generator like WEN or Yamaha when you need power. They also generate enough to power AC. They're quiet and not too expensive. Another battery or two in parallel if more power is needed for overnight and youll keep costs down.

Great video btw!

[shaungarrett]

I was one of those people that bought into LiFePo4 batteries without knowing what I was getting myself into. (I'm not an electrician) My RV had 150 watts of solar on the roof and I thought I would just have more power longer. I had to swap the factory solar charge controller... Okay, no big deal. But it was. I had to drill through the floor of the storage to run a new wire to the battery. I had to buy wire and shielding and fittings and shrink wrap. Then I found the battery wasn't charging off shore power correctly. Well, the main power supply for the RV was not designed with a converter to charge Lithium batteries. A few hundred dollars later I bought a new power supply. Install took half a day since the breakers didn't mate with the new panel. Swapped the main bus bar and made it work but I'm concerned it is not secure. I'll swap breakers next. Now I finally got enough solar panels on the roof to match my amp hours of my battery and my usage and that a few hundred dollars more and drilling holes in the roof and sealing everything. But all this started with a new lithium battery.

[cgillit]

This video is worth the price of membership 100 times over. So useful to get experienced information on camping trailer specific use cases that aren't coming from someone who is trying to sell you a product. I decided to got with a two 225 AGM ah 6 volt in series and spend the leftover money on some CIGS solar panels that form fit on top of my teardrop.

[MontanaMedic]

I'm building my own squaredrop and your video just saved me from blowing money that I don't have in putting in my electrical system. I have noticed that many of the other YouTubers that are pushing Lithium batteries will say something like "I'm not sponsored but xyz company did send me these batteries for evaluation"...or something like that. I'm am a Paramedic, not an electrician, but I am just trying to make a system that my family can use without breaking the bank. Some of the other YouTubers make it seem like you need to spend $40K or more just to have a little overlanding camper. Super appreciate people like you who aren't just trying to push expensive things that lots of regular folks can't afford. 👍. You're explanations are the best on YouTube and ive climbed very deep into the rabbit hole so Im qualified to say that. Anyway Ive subscribed and will maybe use the money you saved me to add a channel membership.

[dunnkirke]

Thanks! I feel smarter, I’m probably not, but I hope your viewership grows because this was a lot of learning packed together and more people need it.

[DavidArroyo]

Another amazing video! You single-handedly convinced me not to convert my system over to lithium. That is assuming that lithium technology hasn't changed much from the making of this video to today's day in 2024. Thank you for your quality objective review.

[jphavens]

This is one of the most important videos on YT. Thank you!

[joesolomon]

I found this incredibly educational Brian! Once again 20 minutes of my life were worth it watching you. I am just starting to learn about solar and batteries as I mentioned before just got yeti1500x. My friend has a pop up camper and I shared this video with him since he's building his own power system in it. Love your work, keep it up!

[martran]

Absolutely brilliant. I've learned more in watching a few of your video's now than all previous instruction over the past four years. I've now officially stopped drinking the Kool-Aid...Thank you.

[PirateKayaker]

Absolutely loved the video. I too used to think I needed a Lithium-ion battery upgrade. I wasn’t aware of the different components in making that change from AGM. Your logic of saving your money to get portable solar panels and a second AGM, or getting a solar generator, makes a lot more sense if I’m needing more amps. Thanks.

[ondmon]

this is a great, honest video, no flashy annoying editing, just the information. when i replaced my leisure battery for our 33year old fiat ducato, i looked into lithium(as everyone was) but the cost and compatibility with the older van systems was just a no no, we went for a 130ah agm and all i had to get was a ring smart charger that give the proper higher charge rate that the agm needed.

[Doc.Holiday]

TWO FACTORS most buyers of Lithium overlook. Retired seniors may not be able to use the lifespan of lithium batteries. When re-powering a used RV battery bank that is faltering after 5 to 19 years, that RV a new lithium bank may outlive the useful life of that old RV. If you are young and ordering a new RV, then get lithium batteries. I’m 70 years old and just re-powered my truck camper with two 6v 220ah in series AGMs. The original two 12v parallel 90ah AGMs lasted me eleven years.

[OldManGardening]

video wasn't even what I typed in the search field....but I watched it. Very informative and brutally honest. Very well made! Good stuff

[MackMoore-qn]

You have cleared up more of the confusion that I have had about the battery choices in this particular episode than I have tried to figure out in the last month. Thank you so much.

[aaronkesterson]

Great video for those using a small tear drop campers, you make excellent points on the money going into these. especially at the price of a high-end, top-quality battery of $1000 you can always buy an inverter generator from harbor freight for less, and recharge on a cloudy day and run other devices for less than $5 in gas.

However, if you have a large family and want to go solar on a larger unit, then lithium is a viable option due to power storage capacity. If any of you have daughters, you know they run those hair dryers all morning. And many of them are 1200-1500w. SOK is a great brand to go with, half the cost of golden staple batteries and just as good quality.

[emmittwalsh]

WOW !!!”They drank the Koolaid” You have opened my eyes. THANK YOU !!!

[pkarowic]

Great video as usually. I have a 2019 Geo Pro 12SRK, meaning 12 feet long. When I bought it, it had one lead acid battery, (80 AH) group 24 installed. I was going to buy a AGM battery but instead of throwing the lead acid away I just bought a second one of the same. My thought is once these batteries wear out I will go to the AGM batteries. I don't mind doing the maintenance on these batteries, ie: adding distilled water and testing the cells with a hydrometer to ensure they are still good. I have a factory installed roof mount 100 watt solar panel and I purchased a 90 watt suitcase panel of the same brand, Go Power. They both have their own controllers so they don't over charge my lead acid batteries. I have had this camper since new and I do mostly off grill camping and have never run short of power. The lowest volts has been 12.45 volts which keeps me well above the 50% barrier. My main draw is the 20, 000 btu furnace. I live in Northern Alberta Canada and a furnace to me is more important then air condition, lol. I learn a lot from your videos and I loved you when Cosmo came to visit, I subscribe to both yours and his YouTube channels. Just wanted to share what I did for my needs and it works great. Take care and thanks again for the educational video on power management. 👍