Newby here,,,,,
My wife and I X sailing cruisers (recently sold our cruising vessel), just too much work at 70. We're having a custom teardrop built and will take delivery sometime in March. Right now I'm working on the electrical system and after doing my research have realized all the advantages of lithium ion with LifePo4 technology. On the boat we had almost 900 total amp hours running a 2,500 watt Heart inverter/charger along with all the 12 volt stuff.
We want the same kind of 'creature comforts' on the teardrop only on a much smaller scale. I've worked out a 100 amp hour lithium ion system along with 2 100 watt semi flexible solar panels and a 1,500 watt pure sinewave inverter for short term 120 volt use (coffee pot, power tools, small microwave oven, hair dryer, etc.). The biggest problem is just what lithium ion battery system to install.
I'm not interested in making my own battery and BMS. At first I explored the 'Smart Battery' lithium ion batteries but the reviews are very poor and after emailing and calling I got no response so I started talking to 'Victron'. The US sales representitive answered the phone and after discussing my wishes came up with a system that would work well. Only problem is that before I'm done I'll have spent almost 3,500.00 for the system. Victron was very good at answering my questions and has good equipment but really expensive. Too expensive for me.
It was then that I found StarkPower. That company seems to have a good deep cycle lithium battery and charger to match at a good price. I can put a lithium ion/solar off grid system together for about 1,000 more than a standard deep cycle AGM system with a weight savings of almost 150 lbs. If the batteries turn out to be a failure in a year or 2 I can switch to AGM having wasted the 1,000.00. Not bad for trying something so advanced. At the moment I'm looking at 2 - 50 amp hour deep cycle batteries with the likelyhood of adding a third if the 2 batteries don't fill the need.
I've ruled out the Smart Battery system because of the reviews and also the Victron as it's just too expensive and complicated.
Anyone on this board tried StarkPower lithium batteries and charger?
Any help appreciated.
Dan, AKA tdhcsc
our teardrop