Which low-mid range lithium battery?

[Phil1]

Hi all, could anyone please advise or point me in the right direction to get a fairly cheap lithium leisure battery please? Around 100ah.

One that fits under the drivers seat please.

There are lots of posts on here with some recommendations, however some are now a few years old.

Ideally around the £200 mark if possible.

Thanks!

 

[soldas]

You can for sure get a battery for around £200 but that will be bog standard with cheaper cells.

Personally I'd try and push you budget a little to get one with a BMS. This will give you bluetooth, temp control and generally speaking made up of higher grade cells.

Something like Lithium Leisure Battery - Fogstar Drift 12v 105Ah

 

[Salty Spuds]

Lithium batteries seem to be one of those rare commodities that you actually get what you pay for. Given where it’s going and that you might actually be sleeping on top of it, I would be buying a reputable brand.
Just my 2 penneth

 

[Phil1]

Thanks both, yeah that makes sense about sleeping on top of it, as that will be a cab bed for our little one!

The Fogstar is on my list after researching here, just slightly pricier than my original plan. What about the ‘Eco-worthy’ ones for comparison?

Thanks

 

[Phil1]

How about this?

 

[ginkster]

Fogstar. Eco if you want to save some dosh or the Drift for the extra features such as Bluetooth and heater.

 

[Salty Spuds]

How about this?

View attachment 276792

I think some members have had problems with warranty claims with Renogy. But I could be wrong.

 

[Nugs]

Hi all, could anyone please advise or point me in the right direction to get a fairly cheap lithium leisure battery please? Around 100ah.

One that fits under the drivers seat please.

There are lots of posts on here with some recommendations, however some are now a few years old.

Ideally around the £200 mark if possible.

Thanks!

Keep an eye on the clearance section of the Fogstar website, i picked up a 105ah Drift for £220. Customer return with 1 cycle and the full 10 year warranty.

 

[Phil1]

Nothing at the moment but I’ll keep an eye out, thanks! In terms of size/space, will most 100ah fit under the drivers seat ok?

 

[ginkster]

Nothing at the moment but I’ll keep an eye out, thanks! In terms of size/space, will most 100ah fit under the drivers seat ok?

The Drift does but on its side.

 

[JumpShip]

6 year warranty on the eco and 10 year on the drift ..(that and Bluetooth, heater ....for the extra £70).

 

[Phil1]

Okey dokey, I’m thinking drift then. Does anyone know of any discount codes for them? Thanks

 

[ginkster]

Okey dokey, I’m thinking drift then. Does anyone know of any discount codes for them? Thanks

I’ve not seen any for the Drift. They do sales a couple of times a year (e.g. Black Friday) that will knock £50-70 off the 105. It used to be £370 and was occasionally discounted to £300 but the price has dropped permanently to £300 now so not sure what they would reduce it to. If you can wait they may well do a deal at Easter. The other option is to see if any of the resellers have a sale/discount.

 

[Phil1]

Just a quick update, I’ve asked Fogstar about any upcoming sales but unfortunately nothing is planned for Easter. However they did kindly offer me a 5% code, every little helps!

Now onto the dc-dc charger. I’m thinking Victron, any suggestions on which model will suit the 105ah Drift please?

Thanks

 

[JumpShip]

I like it ......but I love the roamer 230seat base4

 

[Phil1]

That does look good, but out of my budget unfortunately.

Regarding the dc/dc charger - will 18a be ok or do I need the 30a one? Isolated or non isolated?

Thanks

 

[Drive Wayne]

That does look good, but out of my budget unfortunately.

Regarding the dc/dc charger - will 18a be ok or do I need the 30a one? Isolated or non isolated?

Thanks

I used the non isolated Victron Orion TR30 for 2 years, it worked well but did get hot! Not much more money will get you the newer XS50, perfect product!

 

[ginkster]

The XS is the newer version that is smaller, runs cooler, has more features in the software and can be down rated to say 30A. I have the older 30A (with a Drift 105) and it is fine but a bit bigger and gets a bit hotter (never been an issue). The 18A is a similar size and charges at just over half the speed. Both will save you a few notes if you are on a budget. Doesn’t matter if it isolated or non-isolated, you would just need to run 2 negative cables to ground on the isolated vs 1 on the non-isolated. The isolated is designed for glass fibre boats (and alike) where neg cables are used rather than the chassis.

 

[Phil1]

Thanks all. Well I thought my decision was made, but now I’m second guessing everything. The leisure setup route seems to be adding up £££ by the time I’ve bought all the bits as I’d like an inverter too. I was already debating a Bluetti ac180 instead which I can get for £499.

Now I’m thinking do I just use site hookups for my first year and go from there!? Using the money to finish the furniture aspects instead. Decisions, decisions!

 

[ginkster]

Thanks all. Well I thought my decision was made, but now I’m second guessing everything. The leisure setup route seems to be adding up £££ by the time I’ve bought all the bits as I’d like an inverter too. I was already debating a Bluetti ac180 instead which I can get for £499.

Now I’m thinking do I just use site hookups for my first year and go from there!? Using the money to finish the furniture aspects instead. Decisions, decisions!

What do you need the inverter for? Can you not get away with 12v only? I’d bite the bullet and get the electrics done as it frees up camping options no end. No need to find or pay for a site with hook up means you are very flexible.