Your RV Battery Questions Answered

Summary

In this tech-savvy video, Todd tackled two common RV battery questions - is it better to have multiple smaller batteries or fewer larger ones, and is a 12V or 24V system better for powering an RV's inverter system? Focusing on lithium batteries, Todd explained that a single large battery is preferable to a bank of smaller ones to avoid balancing issues and uneven charging/discharging over time. He also recommended a 24V system with fewer batteries over 12V, as it reduces the complexity of managing multiple battery management systems. Todd's comprehensive explanations shed light on optimizing battery configurations for RV owners, equipping them with valuable knowledge to make informed decisions.

Takeaways

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• ❓ Discusses the pros and cons of having multiple smaller batteries vs. one larger battery for an RV system.
• ⚖️ Explains the concept of internal resistance and how it can cause balancing issues in battery banks over time.
• 🔋 Recommends using a single larger battery instead of multiple smaller ones to reduce balancing issues.
• ⚡ Explains the benefits of a 24V system over a 12V system for RV power setups, including fewer balancing issues.
• 🧠 Highlights the importance of having a single 'brain' or Battery Management System (BMS) to manage the entire battery bank.
• ⚠️ Cautions against using two 12V batteries in series to create a 24V system, as it can lead to balancing issues between the two BMS units.
• 💰 Suggests that the cost savings of a 24V system are not worth the potential balancing problems it can create.
• 🔋 Emphasizes the importance of understanding battery balancing issues to prevent premature battery failures.
• 🚀 Promotes the National RV Training Academy as a resource for learning more about RV maintenance and repair.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is RV battery systems, including comparing single large batteries versus multiple smaller batteries, as well as 12V vs. 24V systems.

Why is it better to have a single larger battery than multiple smaller batteries?

A single larger battery is better than multiple smaller batteries because it reduces balancing issues over time. With multiple batteries, even slight differences in internal resistance can cause one battery to discharge or charge faster than the others, leading to imbalances.

What is the advantage of a 24V system over a 12V system?

A 24V system is better than a 12V system because it has fewer balancing issues due to having fewer batteries and fewer "brains" (battery management systems) to work together.

What is a BMS (Battery Management System) and why is it important for lithium batteries?

A BMS is a logic board or circuit board inside a lithium battery that monitors and protects the cells from issues like high/low voltage, high/low amps, and temperature fluctuations. It's important because it helps lithium batteries last longer by preventing damage to the cells.

How do the "brains" (BMS) in a 12V battery system work when two batteries are connected in series to create a 24V system?

When two 12V batteries are connected in series to create a 24V system, each battery has its own BMS that monitors and controls only its own cells. This can lead to balancing issues because one BMS may cut off power if its cells are fully charged, even if the other battery's cells are not fully charged.

What is a battery balancer and why is it needed for a 24V system with two 12V batteries?

A battery balancer is a component that helps balance the charge between the two 12V batteries in a 24V system. It's needed because the two separate BMS systems can cause imbalances between the batteries, and a balancer helps equalize the charge.

Why does the presenter mention that one lead-acid battery may die before the others, even if they were bought at the same time?

One lead-acid battery may die before the others because of the balancing issues and internal resistance differences between the batteries. Over time, these small differences can cause one battery to discharge or charge faster than the others, leading to uneven wear and failure.

What is the presenter's response to the "keyboard warriors" who criticize him for talking about large battery systems?

The presenter acknowledges that some people prefer smaller, more minimalist systems but argues that he is providing information, not bragging. He suggests that those who criticize large systems may be the ones who are bragging about their small setups.

What is the RV industry's need that the presenter mentions at the end of the video?

The presenter mentions that the RV industry needs thousands of RV technicians and inspectors, and suggests that now is a good time to pursue a career in those fields.

What is the purpose of the "bloopers" mentioned at the end of the script?

The "bloopers" mentioned at the end of the script are likely outtakes or mistakes made during the filming of the video, added at the end for humorous or entertainment purposes.