They’re useless in very hot areas, such as most of the US during the summer. They will not keep the bunk area cool (say below 80 degrees) if it’s over 85 or 90 outside. After 3 months in a Freightliner with one of these, I’m moving to a local job. Endless cycles of sleepless nights and having to jump the truck several times per week from the reefer battery was enough for me.
How many watt hours are the batteries? What is the watt draw of the ac unit? 2200 watts is an energy hog. My mini-split is only 1100 watts with 8000 BTUs
Very cool Ryan. When you're charging batteries, doesn't lithium have a C Rate of 100 amps while lead acid is 20 amps. Won't an alternator doing 150+ amps harm the batteries? Also, cold air drops and warm air rises. Why not run tubing vents higher in the truck so the AC is usable and felt instantly, rather than hugging the floor until the cold air builds up in the living space? Keep up the good work.
Ryan, I need to get my truck to you. I’m really interested in the batteries and how that would work with IdleSmart. Hopefully in the next couple of months I can get over to you. I’ll make an appointment. I’m thinking I may have to upgrade my alternator and I know I need new batteries. AC is already installed. I’ll call your office.
Can you provide a source where you see typical lithium has 10,000 cycles? Just Googled, 2,000 sounds about right. Will check with manufacturer as well and follow up on it.
No you’re right the manufacturers rate them conservatively but it is typical for a lithium ion battery to last 5 to 10 thousand cycles, I confused what a lot of experts cite for being what the batteries are rated for.
Hi Ryan and Sophia, this is Jack H. 2018 Pete 579 with Landstar. Anyways, what's the cost on the batteries? I'm thinking of four at my next inspection four the Aux side and then four later when i need starting batts. -40F cold is the best ive seen. Once all batteries are lithium, what do you think about tying them all together in one system? That should give me lots of hours of cooling. Just thinking out loud. Cheers,
Hi Jack! Hope you are well! Most likely you don’t need 8 batteries for 10 hours of run! The 4 lithium starting batteries will be similar to the 8 AGMs you have on your truck! You can just utilize the 4 starting lithium batteries. However, if needed, you can always add the deep cycle lithium batteries we also have here. We don’t recommend to use the starting lithium for auxiliary side. The starting lithium batteries are $900 each retail. We have a manufacturer rebate now, the final out is $750 each. The deep cycle for the aux side will be a little cheaper. Please call us, we will give you a quote for that.
There is no solar panel anywhere in the World that can produce enough electricity to keep an air conditioner running. You have to think of it as... I can idle for 34 hours at one gallon per hour times $4.00 per gallon..... or such a system may reduce that idle time to 24 or 10 hours.... and my savings will be the difference. This type of system comes into play best when you are working hard, and only shutting down for 10 to 12 hours, then running 10 to 11 hours to recharge the batteries.... in which case, your entire stop time is covered by the electricity you generated on your run. It is always saving you money.... but probably can't bridge a 36 hour break.... in which case you will idle the hours it can not...... the alternative is to idle ALL the hours, which costs more... much more.
The rooftop variation 2000R ranked highly in testing done by reseller rack up and go when compared to equivalent rated, but significantly higher priced units. DC to DC air conditioners perform so much better than AC with inverter. At less than $6k it’s reasonably priced when compared to having a similar system installed by a van upfitter.
Hey Ryan, nice video! I have a quick question. My truck has a 160 amp alternator. Is there any need to add a DC to DC charger to limit the charging current to the battery’s? Or are these batteries smart enough to do it by themselves? Thanks!
@truckingandfixing Hmm, doesnt srem to make much sense for me since normal batteries are $89 at the local Freightliner shop. But I don't need the EPU. Assuming lithium replaces 2x lead batteries, is a lithium going to last 5x longer? Especially since my trucks are used in summer only.
Good luck. The challenges with cooling a truck are complicated. Batteries have many good uses, running a DC cooling system is not one of them. I applaud your resourcefulness presented over the years on the channel. This install overlooks many important factors that contribute to moving heat energy outside the cab/bunk. If you ever want to chat about cab cooling happy to contribute my experience.
Good question, this is a/c only, you will have to install a bunk heater for heat, which we offer as well. We have a great heater here for the heating solutions.
@uria711 $1,500 installed roughly 4-6 hours labor. Heater itself comes with 2 year warranty, super efficient, designed and supported by the US engineers.
Can you ask the question in another way? The batteries are designed as a starting battery, it has the advanced battery management system to do the job as a starting battery, just like your acid batteries. It wouldn’t damage the alternator.
Typically when a lithium ion battery is finished charging it stops taking any further charge vs a lead acid battery that’s never fully charged, the bms shuts the battery off 100% to protect it from overcharging at that point the alternator will get a spike voltage that can damage the diodes in the regulator, lead acid don’t have this problem. The only solution I’ve heard of is special alternator regulators designed for lithium ion protection. Most bms can’t handle the instant current draw of a starter motor but just because these do doesn’t mean it protects the alternator from damage, you should check? (I doubt they do)
I prefer to run 8 agms. 4 for the truck, and 4 for auxiliary. Charged by a dc-dc charger. I run local though, so I don't really need to run an auxiliary unit for no more than about 4 hours. Cost would be much cheaper, and agms are easier to get locally for replacement.
@richcherwalk6349 it'll still be cheaper than 4 lithium starting batteries. Plus, if you're doing otr, good luck finding replacement lithium batteries if something goes wrong. It'll be smarter to have starting batteries for the truck and an auxiliary lithium battery bank for accessories. That way, if you have battery problems, you can go just about anywhere and get batteries for the truck, but just replace the lithium whenever. Image being otr, and you have to change out your lithium batteries, back to lead acid, because nobody carries lithium!
This particular lithium battery can start the truck with just 1 (we tested it, though manufacturer recommended 2 to be safe), and it can be installed with acid batteries if needed, it will do the job. Hope it helps.
@truckingandfixing wiring lithium and lead acid together with no separation? Me personally, I wouldn't do it! I agree lithium is better, but cost wise, I don't think it make sense. Group 31 Lithium starting batteries I've seen cost $900+. I didn't see a price on these batteries.
