Switching to lithium batteries on a 2026 Micro Minnie 2108DS

[janmdiaz3795]

We picked up our 2026 Micro Minnie 2018ds in May and realized we need to upgrade our battery to a lithium. I've been trying to get a picture of what battery size and how easy it is to add to the camper. I'm reluctant to start drilling holes in the body as recommended if we went with a battery larger than a 12v 100ah. Is it a good strategy for me to start with one 12v 100ah and put that in our current battery box on the tongue and then add a second 12v 100ah later relocating both batteries to the front storage compartment. Gemini suggested it was easy to access the battery wiring without drilling - does that sound right? I'm not completing trusting the answer I'm getting so I thought I'd try here. Thanks

 

[Goodspike]

I don't know why you'd have to drill any holes. I have a 2019 2106DS, which should be a similar layout up front, and the cables that reached to the front were easily put up into the front compartment from below, where other cables go through. I went with a Redodo 280ah battery because it's dimensions fit perfectly in the front compartment ahead of the storage door.

A bit of advice. Don't believe those who tell you it's just a battery swap. On mine the gauge of cable from the converter was too small for effective charging (not to mention the converter was not designed for lithium at the time), so I had to install a separate charger in the battery compartment. Similarly, because my tow vehicle has a so-called "smart alternator" that varies voltage I had to install a DC-DC charger. I'd also recommend a Victron shunt so you can get better idea of state of charge, and to use bus bars rather than connect a bunch of things to the battery posts. Finally with lithium you need a terminal fuse (or some other form of fuse on the positive lead), something that is not needed with lead acid.

Oh, and going solar can eliminate part of the charging concerns, particularly charging from the tow vehicle--you'd just disconnect that lead.

 

[fanrgs]

I added a second battery box on the tongue of my travel trailer and inside the unheated front bay of my fifth wheel even when I was still using AGM batteries. If you don't use your trailer in sub-freezing temps, you don't really need to have Li batts inside. You can also get self-heating Li batts that can be used year-round in an outside battery box or unheated bay. Yes, they use a little power to heat themselves, but no more than a heating pad on a FW or waste tank.

 

[johnnymwise]

I agree completely with approach of Goodspike (see above post). It really comes down to how you travel. Mostly campgrou ds with full hookups (especially electric) or dry camping/boondocking? Weekends/ week at a time or extended travels? We have a 2021 2108DS that I converted to LiFePO4 with the hopes of extending dry camping/boondocking trips. We are in week 5 of a 13 week trip from Nevada to Alaska and back. Installed 3 LiTime 320 aH LiFePO4 batteries inside the front storage compartment, 3000 watt inverter/charger and 60 amp solar charge controller. Installed 6 EcoWorthy 130 watt solar panels on roof (disconnecting the factory 100 watt GoPower panel). Chose to wire panels in 3 parallel groups of 2 series so I didn't have to run new wire to Solar Charge controller. We have gone 8 days dry camping with minimal generator back up. It can be done even by someone like me who knew nothing a year ago before I started researching and reading up on the details. If you'd like more help, I would be glad to correspond.

 

[Goodspike]

I added a second battery box on the tongue of my travel trailer and inside the unheated front bay of my fifth wheel even when I was still using AGM batteries. If you don't use your trailer in sub-freezing temps, you don't really need to have Li batts inside. You can also get self-heating Li batts that can be used year-round in an outside battery box or unheated bay. Yes, they use a little power to heat themselves, but no more than a heating pad on a FW or waste tank.

The reason to put lithium batteries inside is that they are expensive! Even back when I had lead acid I would remove them to prevent their being stolen. Now the storage boxes are for other types of storage.

Also as johnnymwise notes, you get a lot more storage capacity than with the older tech.