WanderingVWBus
New member
Are any of you running AGM or regular lead acid battery?? I know that a 200mah LiFePO4 can run $1000. They are super super nice but out of my current budget, What are some good options?
Tandem Axle Bespoke Overlanding Trailer Build With VW Suspension (picture heavy)
- Thread starter WanderingVWBus
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Teardropper
Well-known member
I was in that same spot in 2019 and chose a VMAXGroup 24 AGM for my teardrop. Great battery. 35 usable amps. and they don't self-discharge nearly as fast as a standard lead acid battery. But when I needed a trolling motor last summer, I chose a 50 amp Weize lithium. Times have changed.
The VMAX cost $220 (for 35 amps). The Weize cost, $220 (for 50 amps and the last time it was available on Amazon, it was $190). And it's sooo much lighter. (And yes, it has an all-encompassing BMS.)
When my teardrop battery is kaput in five years or so, there's no doubt I'll go with a LiPo.
Tony
WanderingVWBus
New member
I notice the weight saving is very surprising. What kind of charger did you use? I use the Lipo battery for my RC stuff and they are amazing vs the older tech.
WanderingVWBus
New member
Its such a tough choice. I was at Costco the other day and they had a group 24 HD deep cycle Interstate batter for $78. even if it sucked, how many can you buy before the same price as a fancier one. The weight concern is very real though. At 60% lighter that also can affect fuel econ and overall weight of trailer. Once again i am still having a tough time deciding
Teardropper
Well-known member
I use a NOCO Genius, It's got a setting for LiPos. It was the weight saving that led me to this battery. There's no way I wanted to lift a Group 27 AGM in and out of my drift boat. 15 pounds vs. 70 or so.
Tony
WanderingVWBus
New member
when setting up your propane system what PSI regulator are you all using?
eatSleepWoof
Do it for the 'gram
I used the Flame King Auto Changeover regulator on my last trailer (worked great, no complaints), and have another one sitting in the garage waiting to be installed on the current trailer.
eatSleepWoof
Do it for the 'gram
Keep in mind how much "useable" charge you get out of a Lithium, vs a lead acid. With a 100ah lithium you can usually get around 95ah of use before the voltage drops too low. With a 100ah lead acid you're getting 50ah at most.
So, if your baseline is 200ah of lithium, that's about 190ah useable. To get that in lead acid, you're looking at about 400ah of batteries.
I have two of these 100ah lithium batteries; each one was $430 CAD shipped to my door, and I had them less than two weeks after ordering. Local stores sell 105ah AGMs for the exact same (after-tax) price. Lead acids are cheaper, but not by much. So around here the lithium is not only lighter, but physically smaller (for the same useable ah) and cheaper, too.
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Teardropper
Well-known member
I think if you judge AGMs v. LiPo by usable amps, LiPo batteries are now cheaper. As long as you bounce the Battleborns, etc out.
Tony
honda250xtitan
Active member
this build is amazing. I'm biased tho, i recently restored a 66 bug. i suddenly am a huge fan of VW's. Guess thats what happens when you do a pan off restoration though.
How did you make those curved corners where 3 walls meet?
WanderingVWBus
New member
The roof panels i bought from a trailer fabrication shop. They are repair ones for crashed trailers. I had to shorten them about a foot but i feel they will work well