Lithium batteries

[Rockwoody22]

Hey all. Question. 2025 Isata 5 30FW Ex package. The rig has 4 lithium batteries. I store the rig in an enclosed metal non-insulated shop. Temps have been in the single digits. Batteries are dead as there is no power in the shop yet. Will there be a problem with getting a charge back on them once I'm able to get the rig back outside when the temperatures come back up? Will the solar get them up? Or should I just plug the rig in once I get it to the power supply? Thanks. I'm a newbie to the lithium thing. I've always had dual 6 volt on the travel trailers.

 

[Aussieguy]

you can do both
plug it in .... then check all the 120v and charging systems.
put in the sun too to make sure solar still works
rinse off any dirt/dust from the solar panels

Next time storing..... unplug the battery main negative
so the battery wont discharge while in storage

 

[tomkatb]

Something is incorrect. If you turned the battery disconnect off the batteries should be OK. Sometimes the rv is wired incorrectly and discharges the batteries. I have decide to disconnect mine at the end of the year.

You need to get power out there and try to charge them. It is possible if they are badly discharged the converter will not charge them. Best find out now. Not real hard. But, you may need tools. Once charged I am an advocate of disconnecting them from the rv if in doubt.

Solar panels on their best day produce about 25 ah of charge per 100 watt panel per day on a good day. Recharging 4 would take a long time.

 

[Datsdad]

I've a 24FWSFX so even though I only have 2 lithium batteries issues are the same. I've had issues with my battery compartment leaking when i drive in rain so have spent lot of time speaking with Xantrex reps. They're great to work with, I'd recommend giving Xantrex a call and asking to speak with one of the field reps, Alex or Brian. If nothing else to establish a line of communication for any future issues. What Brian recommended to me is if unit is going to be in storage for an extended period, espeicially if cold weather, is to disconnect batteries from unit. It's very easy to do (at least on mine). The cables just unscrew from batteries. Brian said batteries need to be approx 38 degrees or higher to function properly (learned the hard way)....

Good Luck.

 

[NoviBill]

What temperature on the batteries when you tested them? What is the low temperature cutoff on the batterie's BMS? The BMS may have turned off the battery - on mine I see voltage with a DVM (13ish) at the battery when disconnected but zero volts when a load is applied.

To charge them, you will need a charger that works with the BMS (dumb chargers work, some smart charges don't work).

 

[DJ252]

If they are dead, they made not take a charge until awakened.

Thats why I put a 10% floor under mine.

 

[bclemens]

The batteries in the 30FW are not Xantrex. Normally, the low battery cut out is 10%...so as long as you get a charge source on it, it should be fine. I would not wait too long. You can also just start the rig up and let the alternator do is thing. recommend turning the disconnect OFF (not the one at the door, the one at the batteries) for storage. For long term storage remove the negative terminal. Lithium can discharge in cold temps...they can't charge below freezing until they are warm. The ReLion has a built in heater.

 

[Tucson Steve]

Since the battery heater draws its power directly from the battery, won't it still heat (draw power) even with the disconnect off? I would think that would draw down the batteries very quickly if the battery heat is left on while in storage.

 

[DJ252]

Since the battery heater draws its power directly from the battery, won't it still heat (draw power) even with the disconnect off? I would think that would draw down the batteries very quickly if the battery heat is left on while in storage.

Not all heaters draw from the battery. Some only draw from incoming power. Heat the batt up first, then allowed to charge.

 

[tomkatb]

Heaters are supposed to draw from the converter. Mostly! Not in cars I suspect.

If the batteries have heaters in them, then just plug the rv in to shore power and be patient. They should work to close to 0 degrees then.

 

[bclemens]

Since the battery heater draws its power directly from the battery, won't it still heat (draw power) even with the disconnect off? I would think that would draw down the batteries very quickly if the battery heat is left on while in storage.

Relion LT only draws from power source. Battle born does self heat, but you can disconnect that via a small screw terminal on the battery.

 

[TitanMike]

If they are dead, they made not take a charge until awakened.

Thats why I put a 10% floor under mine.

One thing to be aware of. When a lifepo4 battery goes into Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD), the BMS still draws a small amount of power. This will continue to draw current from cells until they ultimately are permanently damaged. Some manufacturers warn that when LVD occurs charging should be done within 10 days to prevent damage and battery can't be "awakened".

Minimum "safe" voltage per lifepo4 cell is 3v (12v for batter) and below 2.5v (10v for battery is where irreversible damage occurs.

LVD only stops the large current drain by devices connected to the battery but does not stop the necessary current draw by the BMS. Though it's small, it's continuous.

 

[Rockwoody22]

Got an update. I was able to get power out to the shop via a long 12 gauge cord. Plugged in and the batteries came up to 100 percent. That's a relief. Now the battery disconnect by the door will not activate. What could be the major malfunction here?

 

[NoviBill]

When you say the "disconnect by the door will not activate" are you saying your turned off the batteries and you still have 12 volt in the RV? If you are plugged in, that will be the case - batteries are disconnected, but the converter is powering everything (as long as you have 110 volt plugged in)

 

[bclemens]

Got an update. I was able to get power out to the shop via a long 12 gauge cord. Plugged in and the batteries came up to 100 percent. That's a relief. Now the battery disconnect by the door will not activate. What could be the major malfunction here?

as in will not turn back on? Likely lost its programming. Press and hold the red button for 10 seconds. That will reset it, press again to activate.

 

[Rockwoody22]

as in will not turn back on? Likely lost its programming. Press and hold the red button for 10 seconds. That will reset it, press again to activate.

Thank you Brian. Going out to give it a go. I'll get back to you.

 

[Rockwoody22]

as in will not turn back on? Likely lost its programming. Press and hold the red button for 10 seconds. That will reset it, press again to activate.

Dilemma solved. Thank you Brian Clemens.