WHY is Everyone Going To LITHIUM? Lets Talk! Full Time Truck Camper Living. 

Yep you are correct. They are a game changer! Check out Quantumscape QS as they are the leader in the solid state battery space

Lithium batteries generally perform better than lead-acid batteries in terms of weight and energy density. However, their performance in extremely cold temperatures can be a concern. Here’s a comparison focusing on cold temperatures, elevation, and depth of discharge: 1. **Cold Temperatures**: - **Lithium Batteries**: These can experience reduced performance in very cold temperatures. Their capacity and charging efficiency can decrease, and they might require special battery management systems (BMS) to prevent damage in freezing conditions. - **Lead-Acid Batteries**: These are typically more tolerant to cold temperatures, though their performance can still degrade. Lead-acid batteries may also experience reduced capacity and slower cranking speeds in cold conditions. 2. **Elevation**: - **Lithium Batteries**: They generally perform well at high elevations because their chemistry is less affected by atmospheric pressure changes. - **Lead-Acid Batteries**: These can be slightly affected by changes in elevation, but this impact is usually minimal compared to temperature effects. 3. **Depth of Discharge**: - **Lithium Batteries**: They handle deep discharges better than lead-acid batteries and can maintain a higher percentage of their capacity even when discharged deeply. They are generally more efficient and have a longer cycle life with deeper discharges. - **Lead-Acid Batteries**: Frequent deep discharges can significantly reduce their lifespan and performance. They are typically recommended to be discharged no more than 50% to ensure a longer life. 4. **Safety**: - **Lithium Batteries**: They are generally safe if used properly with a good BMS. However, they can be more sensitive to temperature extremes and require proper thermal management. - **Lead-Acid Batteries**: These are robust and have a well-established safety record. They are less sensitive to temperature fluctuations but are heavier and less efficient. In summary, if cold temperature performance and handling deep discharges are major concerns, a lead-acid battery might be a more reliable choice for very cold conditions, though a properly managed lithium battery can still be a good option with the right precautions.

Lithium battery thermal runaway in cold temperatures is less common but still a significant concern. Thermal runaway is a chain reaction within a battery that leads to rapid overheating and potentially catastrophic failure. In cold conditions, lithium batteries can experience issues that might lead to such a scenario if not managed properly. **Examples and Concerns:** 1. **Reduced Capacity and Efficiency**: In very cold temperatures, lithium batteries can suffer from decreased capacity and increased internal resistance. This can lead to overcharging or over-discharging, which, if not properly managed, might contribute to thermal runaway in extreme cases. 2. **Battery Management System (BMS) Failures**: If the BMS that controls temperature, charge, and discharge is not functioning correctly in cold temperatures, it might fail to protect the battery from unsafe conditions, potentially leading to thermal runaway. 3. **Physical Damage**: Cold temperatures can make lithium batteries more brittle and susceptible to physical damage. Cracks or other damages could lead to internal short circuits, which might initiate thermal runaway. 4. **Manufacturing Defects**: Poorly manufactured lithium batteries might have defects that become problematic in cold temperatures, potentially leading to dangerous reactions if the battery is subjected to extreme conditions. **Real-World Incidents:** While specific cases of lithium battery thermal runaway in cold temperatures are not widely documented, there have been general instances where temperature extremes, including cold, contributed to battery failures. Most issues are due to improper handling, defective batteries, or failures in the battery management system rather than cold temperatures alone. In practice, lithium batteries are designed with various protections to minimize risks, but users should always follow manufacturer guidelines and ensure proper temperature management, especially in extreme conditions.

Specific documented cases of lithium battery thermal runaway occurring solely due to cold temperatures are rare. However, there are a few related incidents and concerns: 1. **Electric Vehicles (EVs)**: There have been instances where electric vehicles with lithium batteries experienced issues in cold temperatures. For example, in some cases, EVs have faced thermal management challenges or battery performance degradation in extreme cold, which can sometimes lead to battery malfunctions. These issues are often mitigated by advanced thermal management systems. 2. **Consumer Electronics**: Lithium batteries in consumer electronics, like smartphones and laptops, have sometimes malfunctioned in cold conditions, but these issues are more commonly related to reduced performance or physical damage rather than thermal runaway. 3. **Aerospace and Industrial Applications**: In high-stakes environments like aerospace, lithium battery systems are carefully managed to prevent issues due to extreme temperatures. While there are safety protocols in place, the extreme environments and operational stresses can occasionally reveal vulnerabilities. Overall, while cold temperatures can impact the performance and safety of lithium batteries, most thermal runaway incidents are more frequently associated with other factors such as overcharging, physical damage, or manufacturing defects. Advanced battery management systems and proper handling can greatly reduce the risk of such incidents.

I know there’s a difference in what is in cars compared to a Rv battery type, the Rv battery type is much safer. Also depending on what voltage you’re working with. A car battery system will use a higher voltage than say 12v where most rvs are set up for 12v, you can do 24v and 48v systems and it makes sense for massive 1200ah systems to go to 24 volt, that way you can save money on a charge controllers for solar but then lose the abilities of dc to dc charging from your alternator. lol there’s lots too these, I’ve never once felt like these lithium batteries were unsafe and I’ve wired now 2 systems with them.

I see you mentioned being able to charge your house batteries fast with the trucks alternator, is that an aftermarket alternator or a newer vehicle with a higher output alternator. Having asked that, the other question is what size of wire was ran from the trucks charging system to the house batteries as typically over the years a pathetic sized power and ground wire was used on the truck side and then merely plugged into the campers own wiring system which again is way undersized at least in any campers from a few years ago. And even if there was heavy wiring the alternator still would not charge the house batteries that well like it is capable of charging the engine batteries. Which goes full circle back to your alternator as for years now the voltage the factory alternator puts out is on the low side and they cut back when the engine batteries are charged and it really reduces the voltage/amperage that is will feed into the house batteries. Hence the DC/DC chargers that have become popular in just the last few years to boost up the voltage so the house batteries get a correct voltage that will charge them in a reasonable amount of time. I know, throwing you lots of questions there but I am curious what your setup consists of as I compare to my brothers camper that has a typical crappy factory setup that is painful to ever properly charge the wet cell batteries he still is using.

@@charlesb4267 The alternator is a 250 amp one I purchased on amazon. It is connected to two batteries under the hood which then runs to an isolator that runs to my camper 7 way plug with a 10 gauge wire. I then run it to three batteries in my camper and then to a 3000 watt inverter. If I want to run my microwave or a coffer pot I turn on my 3000 inverter to power them and start my truck. I have a separate 2000 watt inverter for the camper that is powered by those same batteries. that is charged by my 300 watts of solar. If you look at the videos on Kenny of all trades he did a similar setup to help you get an idea of my set up. Hope it helps. Also to add if I want 110 in the camper I placed a plug outside my camper just over the ac connection and I tie the two together with a dog bone plug.

I would absolutely love to head over there too!!!

lol northern Alberta you see that ALOT, I might do that in the future but for now this works great!

Really! I had no idea and honestly can’t see why, they don’t off gas, thanks for sharing!

Those regulations wouldn't go over to well in N.A. as having lithium in a vented compartment makes them unusable below 0C. Good thing extreme temperatures is not an issue for u guys as it is over here. 🍻

From pemberton to twin one creek lol just pure wash board, wouldn’t be bad in a lighter rig I’ll admit. Makes me miss my wrangler some days! Beautiful drive though all along the lake! Sloquet is on my list!

Thank you and yes!

I should mention that I'm old. I sold my house to buy my rig, and I wanted to be sure it had all the creature comforts. I'll basically be living in it full time, although I've got a home base at my sister's.

@@lindasteller what did you buy to live in a truck? Camper? Is it cold climate that you would live in winter.

@@cheylou1 I bought a van - Ford Transit. Where I live currently doesn't get horribly cold during the winter, but I enjoy going up to the mountains, etc., where it gets cold and snowy.

@@lindasteller thxs.

I have a 40 amp dc to dc, it helps a lot but my issue is I’ll stay parked or only do an hour of driving, I need a bigger alternator also now too but that’s a future problem. That system is going to work awesome! My old system with 200ah was great and I lived in it all last winter! I almost bought a Bigfoot 10.6 same year! Bit heavy for my truck but awesome rigs! 🍻

@@KevinWaldsAdventures Unfortunately this truck has only the single alternator not the dual setup but is 140 amp. I live in Central Texas so driving time to get somewhere should help on charging. Keep up with the good videos.

I havnt seen anything I couldn’t explain in my travels but am always open to the idea of Sasquatch

Thanks for the reply! Hope you really go to Van Isle it’s truly amazing. Strathcona Park is absolutely beautiful. I try and go and much as I can. Stay safe!

@@sasquatchyyc i think he might have and just doesn't know it....

Another calgarian here, yeah i believe, n hope to god i never see one either. No thx. Not interested in becoming part of 'The club of no return'. 🍻

A true foresty forest O-G crock pot?

That would be cool!

Depends on your electrical system setup, you can just plug your camper into a portable power station like that. I just find you get a lot more amp hours when doing a battery system. Both would work though!

Soo river

Hollyland lark m2! I absolutely love it btw. Super simple to use and battery lasts forever!

@@KevinWaldsAdventures sweet, i will look it up. thanks!

@@KevinWaldsAdventures tested it in the wind yet btw?

@@powshredder3716 not heavy wind but it comes with dead cats as well. I have had some Mild wind noise while hiking with them, lots of video reviews on them in wind and it was enough for me to decide they would work.

I live in Alberta too, she does get cold 🥶