2022 Navion 24D Lithium Battery/Solar upgrade questions

[randolf]

Hi Forum!
I have a new-to-me 2022 Navion 24D (built on 2020 Sprinter chassis). We go to a lot of areas with no hook-ups, so I can already tell I will need to upgrade the power - I try to avoid using the generator for the sake of my neighbors. This RV has a 12 volt refrigerator that seems to suck a lot of juice even when I am leaving the doors closed.
I am looking into upgrading to Lithium batteries and adding the 3rd solar panel.
I am told by Winnebago that the Solar and the Inverter/Converter in this RV are already capable of handling Lithium - they just need to be reprogrammed. However, they say it will need to have a new controller and relay added.
Has anyone had this done and how much did it cost them?
They quoted
$750 parts, plus $300-$400 labor on install for the solar panel addition (that labor seems high to me - I was under the impression this RV was already set up to connect a 3rd panel, so should be relatively easy for someone who knows what they are doing?)
They will provide me a quote for the Lithium upgrade - they say their labor is $199 per hour. They also specified that they use Battleborn Lithium batteries, which I have read are good quality, but on the higher end for Lithium cost.
I was looking at getting quotes from other sources, but am afraid to go with someone who doesn't regularly work on these RVs, so I'll likely just have to pay the extra money for piece of mind.
I saw a video in another thread of a guy doing this himself, but in his case, he didn't mention the need for a new controller and relay.
Thanks for any input you guys have!
Randolf

 

[Bnystrom]

I would get a quote from a certified mobile RV tech, just for comparison. What solar parts were they charging you $750 for? Solar panels are pretty cheap and controllers aren't very expensive, either. Perhaps they're adding another Zamp panel, which tend to be more expensive than most.

While Battleborn batteries are indeed good quality, they're bulkier and heavier than other high-quality batteries, and ridiculously expensive. If you're going to install your new batteries in the original battery box under the stairs, you can get a pair of SOK 200Ah batteries for much less than the price of a pair of BB 100Ah batteries, and they'll fit fine. Or, you could go with a single 300Ah battery from SFK for around the price of one BB 100Ah battery. SOK and SFK make top-quality, full-featured, fully-serviceable batteries, with US-based support. SFK batteries are actually assembled in Baton Rouge, LA. I installed a pair of them in our '10 View DL and they're great, but a pair won't fit in the stock battery box. Epoch is another brand worth looking into.

Obviously, it's up to you to decide what's best for your needs, but unless Winnebago is giving you some special warranty on the upgrade that adds to the value, you can find better value elsewhere.

 

[RAJTAJ]

100% agree with Bnystrom on his battery recommendations. Battleborns are great, but there are a LOT of very high quality options out there now, some of which, as mentioned, are U.S.-based. Personally, I would go for less expensive options with higher capacity over the Battleborns; I just don't think that the quality difference, if any, is justifiable with their pricing.

Epoch is absolutely worth looking into, but do be aware that they've had some issues with their version 2 releases. (See:

and

).

And here's one on the SOK:

.

If you haven't already, check out Will Prowse's site; there's tons of info there: DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse

 

[Bnystrom]

Being a former Q/C and Q/A engineer, I just don't see any quality difference Between BB, and SOK or SFK batteries. The differences are in the design choices.

BB uses cylindrical cells, which are very robust, but they don't pack efficiently, they contain dozens of cells that all have metal casings, and they require many more bus bars, so they're more complicated to manufacture. The BMS has to be able to manage and balance all of these cells, so it's more complicated. This is what makes them bulkier, heavier, and more expensive; there's simply no way around it.

In contrast, SOK and SFK use rectangular prismatic cells. They're plenty rugged for RV use and they pack very efficiently, which is why prismatic batteries are so much smaller for a given power rating. They only contain four cells, which greatly simplifies the internal connections and reduces the assembly cost. The BMS can be simpler and less expensive, as well. That's why batteries with Prismatic cells are smaller, lighter, and less expensive than BB. It's not because of a difference in quality

That said, there are al LOT of outwardly similar batteries on Amazon for even lower prices, and there's a serious "race to the bottom" going on, price-wise. Some of the "brands" have been around for a while and have reasonable reputations, but many are here today and gone tomorrow. They just slap a label on a generic Chinese battery and pump them out at fire-sale prices for a while, then disappear. There's huge amount of blatantly false advertising and zero accountability. And of course, there's no way you're going to get the quality of the better brands in a bargain basement battery. Corners have to be cut somewhere to keep the price down. While many people are willing to take a chance on those products, I won't, and I won't recommend them to anyone, either.

 

[AKFred1]

I have a 2023 Navion and did the litium upgrade last year. Got 2 extra 200 watt portable panels.
In the power bay you will find a solar input. From there it is easy.
Solar panel: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYSC1KY8?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
Cables: Amazon.com
Connectors: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDB7PT17?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
Batteries, I ordered from wally world. 200 amp and they fit right in. Just check dimensions.
Lithium are much lighter than lead acid, so you could actually install 2 more in the inverter bay. I paid right at $300.00 for mine and so far so good. Make sure you use the same amp hour rating. You will need a dedicated lithium charger and if you winterize, remove the batteries and charge them every 3 months.

 

[AKFred1]

Forgot the other connector: Amazon.com

 

[raoaks]

I would get a quote from a certified mobile RV tech, just for comparison. What solar parts were they charging you $750 for? Solar panels are pretty cheap and controllers aren't very expensive, either. Perhaps they're adding another Zamp panel, which tend to be more expensive than most.

While Battleborn batteries are indeed good quality, they're bulkier and heavier than other high-quality batteries, and ridiculously expensive. If you're going to install your new batteries in the original battery box under the stairs, you can get a pair of SOK 200Ah batteries for much less than the price of a pair of BB 100Ah batteries, and they'll fit fine. Or, you could go with a single 300Ah battery from SFK for around the price of one BB 100Ah battery. SOK and SFK make top-quality, full-featured, fully-serviceable batteries, with US-based support. SFK batteries are actually assembled in Baton Rouge, LA. I installed a pair of them in our '10 View DL and they're great, but a pair won't fit in the stock battery box. Epoch is another brand worth looking into.

Obviously, it's up to you to decide what's best for your needs, but unless Winnebago is giving you some special warranty on the upgrade that adds to the value, you can find better value elsewhere.

I would get a quote from a certified mobile RV tech, just for comparison. What solar parts were they charging you $750 for? Solar panels are pretty cheap and controllers aren't very expensive, either. Perhaps they're adding another Zamp panel, which tend to be more expensive than most.

While Battleborn batteries are indeed good quality, they're bulkier and heavier than other high-quality batteries, and ridiculously expensive. If you're going to install your new batteries in the original battery box under the stairs, you can get a pair of SOK 200Ah batteries for much less than the price of a pair of BB 100Ah batteries, and they'll fit fine. Or, you could go with a single 300Ah battery from SFK for around the price of one BB 100Ah battery. SOK and SFK make top-quality, full-featured, fully-serviceable batteries, with US-based support. SFK batteries are actually assembled in Baton Rouge, LA. I installed a pair of them in our '10 View DL and they're great, but a pair won't fit in the stock battery box. Epoch is another brand worth looking into.

Obviously, it's up to you to decide what's best for your needs, but unless Winnebago is giving you some special warranty on the upgrade that adds to the value, you can find better value elsewhere.

Good morning Bnystrom,
I too want to upgrade my NAPA house batteries in our newly purchased 2024 Vta 24P.
You say the SOK 200ah batteries fit in the box under the steps, no problem? What are the differences of how they hook up? Just use the existing cables and connectors or do I need something different? I have a Zamp controller and just need to set it to Lithium I guess? Thank you.

 

[Bnystrom]

I'm not positive about the Vita, as I haven't seen one up close, but all you need to do is measure the inside of the battery box and compare it to the measurements of the batteries. You can connect the batteries with the same cables, but if you're installing 2, 200Ah batteries, you really should install a DC-DC charger to protect your alternator. With a single 200Ah battery, you should be fine without one. And yes, set your Zamp controller to lithium. I don't know if your Vita has an inverter/charger or a converter, but whichever it is, check if there's a lithium setting you can use. Either will work OK without it; they won't fully charge your batteries, but your solar can top them off.