LiPo Battery Cost For Moho?

Dockmaster

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2021
Messages
873
Reaction score
714
I’m currently in the process of ordering a new Moho. They offer a LiPo battery upgrade but it seems really expensive compared to the standard AGM batteries. They don’t specify the brand of batteries and based on pictures it looks like they use different brands. I’m guessing this is based on availability. What they specify is you get 3x 100ah  batteries with  internal  heaters, a battery monitor, battery isolation manager and a battery guard auto select. All for the bargain price of $5,376. So my question is; is this price remotely reasonable? I’m willing to pay a premium for the convenience but if I can do these myself later for half the cost then I will just do that. The solar is expensive too.You get 3 x 175 watt panels and the controller for $1800. 

 
Seems pricey considering battle born 100ah batteries are $800 a pop. Not sure how much all that other stuff runs... but interested to find out from the pros on here.... as this may be something I consider switching to eventually. 
 

the solar doesn’t seem priced too bad if it comes with a decent charge controller and is installed clean. Assuming they warranty the install. I’d hate drilling holes into a new roof. 

 
The Battle Born Batteries are $700 each for 100 AH (Black Friday Sale), and the Battery Isolation Manager is about $300.  They are fully ripping you off for that system.

Used residential panels are $110 each for 327 watt Sunpower and the rest of the stuff needed is under $700 depending on sizing.

I really like my Lithium banks as I was getting about two years out of my AGM batteries.  Probably abused the chit out of them, but the Lithium with BMS makes it fool proof.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Most of the pictures/videos I’ve seen the batteries are grey with green tops. I saw a recent picture and they were Dragonfly batteries. 

 
Whats a decent solar wire gauge to the batteries? I know my system used thinner than desirable when i looked it up years ago. Could help people decide if theyre getting a quality install along with the premium price. The company should brag about the materials and techniques they use.

 
Whats a decent solar wire gauge to the batteries? I know my system used thinner than desirable when i looked it up years ago. Could help people decide if theyre getting a quality install along with the premium price. The company should brag about the materials and techniques they use.
I thought typical was usually 10 ga wire unless you only have a really small panel. 

 
So I found out today they don’t offer a solar pre-wire unless you buy the package. Further, the solar monitoring is tied into the Vegatouch system and phone app when you get the package. So I’ll bend over and pay for their solar package but I cancelled the LiPo batteries. I’ll change out to LiPo in a year or so after the standard AGM’s have been used a bunch. 

 
If they are going "name brand" they are probably going to throw 3 x Battle Born 100ah batteries in there with the optional heaters.

https://battlebornbatteries.com/product/100ah-12v-lifepo4-heated-battery-kit/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA_c-OBhDFARIsAIFg3expptYyCQDzN92S8QgroXObEfhDZxaVRxcoAIJzn92hRc63jaMhwoMaAhC_EALw_wcB

There are several non name brand alternatives as well  for literally half that cost of a battle born.
Why do they sell optional “heaters” with the LiPo batteries? I’m doing AGM to LiPo change on my 98’ Monaco now (the 3 for the house, 2 for the engine staying AGM, got battle borns for $735/each though wholesale deal from buddy). I’m unlikely to have the rig in the deep cold again (did 6000 mile COViD cross country trip through the north for Christmas 20’…), but just want to understand the perimeters. Are the LiPo’s more problematic in the cold compared to AGM? 

 
Why do they sell optional “heaters” with the LiPo batteries? I’m doing AGM to LiPo change on my 98’ Monaco now (the 3 for the house, 2 for the engine staying AGM, got battle borns for $735/each though wholesale deal from buddy). I’m unlikely to have the rig in the deep cold again (did 6000 mile COViD cross country trip through the north for Christmas 20’…), but just want to understand the perimeters. Are the LiPo’s more problematic in the cold compared to AGM? 
No you just cant charge them AT ALL below 32F or they will be damaged.  I dont have heaters in mine and all my charging systems (Solar and Converter) are programed to not charge below 32.  You can use them, just dont recharge.

A bunch are now coming with heating pads built in.  If you were going to use a battery set in the freezing weather you would just need to plan for it, or put the pack into a bay that stays heated.

Current price on 300AH pack with built in heating pad is $1150 on amazon.  $950 without.  Plug and play.  This is a pack that has been tested by Will Prose (youtube go to for lifepo4)

 
No you just cant charge them AT ALL below 32F or they will be damaged.  I dont have heaters in mine and all my charging systems (Solar and Converter) are programed to not charge below 32.  You can use them, just dont recharge.

A bunch are now coming with heating pads built in.  If you were going to use a battery set in the freezing weather you would just need to plan for it, or put the pack into a bay that stays heated.

Current price on 300AH pack with built in heating pad is $1150 on amazon.  $950 without.  Plug and play.  This is a pack that has been tested by Will Prose (youtube go to for lifepo4)
Can you post a link?

 
No you just cant charge them AT ALL below 32F or they will be damaged.  I dont have heaters in mine and all my charging systems (Solar and Converter) are programed to not charge below 32.  You can use them, just dont recharge.

A bunch are now coming with heating pads built in.  If you were going to use a battery set in the freezing weather you would just need to plan for it, or put the pack into a bay that stays heated.

Current price on 300AH pack with built in heating pad is $1150 on amazon.  $950 without.  Plug and play.  This is a pack that has been tested by Will Prose (youtube go to for lifepo4)
Thank you for the info! What exactly happens if you do charge them when below 32? Melt-down or negative impact to longevity? 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Can you post a link?


Thank you for the info! What exactly happens if you do charge them when below 32? Melt-down or negative impact to longevity? 
I think they crystalize and go to chit.

X2 on the link 

This battery is all over the place with different brand names on it and different configurations.  Here is the one we have used.  https://www.amazon.com/JITA-12V-300Ah-Lithium-Battery/dp/B092326XK8/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1LOOJXW7JNET8&keywords=300ah+lithium+battery&qid=1641562372&sprefix=300ah+%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-4

I am putting one of these in my new boat as the stereo battery.

 
I talked to my Solar guy about all these batteries.  He said you get what you pay for.  the BSM on these batteries are not up to par with the ones quality batteries have.  BMS is what regulates the charging and discharging of a Lipo battery.  I for one like to save some money but I spend the extra and got good Lipos.  Here is Quartzsite at Discount Solar he sells 100amp for $600 with a good BMS and blue tooth monitoring on your phone. 

 
5 hours ago, r3meyer said:



I think they crystalize and go to chit.

I watched that video with great interest and very frustrated to see they just say whatever the hell they want but you really don’t know what you are getting. So how does one determine if you actually received temp controlled charging ability or heated? Clearly, you can’t go by what they say. Even with more expensive batteries, how do you know what you actually have? 

 
I am in the process of installing (2) Ampere Hour 200AH batteries, I spoke with SoCalDmax and these were the ones he recommended. The only thing that I added was a new Victron Charge Controller to replace my Renogy, so that I could use the Low Temperature shut off of the controller. 

Ampere Time Amazon Link, Will Prose gives this a good rating if used in conjunction with low temp shut off.

I would have gone with Battle Born but I just could not swing the $4000 price tag. 

My only worry, is the low temp, as we were in Johnson Valley a couple weeks ago and it was in the mid 20's. I have insulated the battery box on my DP. Well see how it works on our next trip. 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Back
Top