I searched around for a while, found a few scattered posts, but I thought it may be helpful to have the reference info in one place for others that are in the same situation. Lithium appears to be the direction the industry is going as far as house batteries, so this would be a good place to add to as it becomes more widely adopted. I'm shopping for a 200 drawer system and I am trying to find which specific off the shelf LiFePO4 battery options I'd be able to fit in the drawer wing. Looks like a tight fit for most who have succeeded in this route, so being that 1" here or there looks like it makes the difference between it working or not working, I think it'd be great to see exactly what others fit and exactly where they fit it. Specific brand and model LiFePO4 batteries are all over the place as far as shape and size, so there is no such thing as a standard size 100 Ah battery. Whether you have the drawer system already and are looking to add a LiFePO4, or are shopping for both (like me), If others could post up here what specific battery they have fit in what specific drawer system I think it'd be a great resource. Photos strongly encouraged. Also, list any issues you've had to workaround. I know some have had to work around blocking the driver's side A/C inlet. Anybody had to cut any plastic? I've yet to see anybody install on the passenger side (not sure why).
Personally, I'm looking at buying the Dobinsons drawers within the next week. I am hoping to able to put a 100 Ah LiFePO4 in 1 of the 2 wings. Battery-wise, If I'm spending the money, I'd rather just stick with the hi-end choices with the best warranty. My top 2 choices, after watching way too many Will Prowse YouTube reviews are:
Battle Born BB10012 100Ah
12.75 × 6.875 × 9 in- (Length/Width/Height)
RELiON RB100 100Ah
13 × 6.8 × 8.8 in - (Length/Width/Height)
So far none of the posts I've seen match what I'm trying to combo up. The ones I've seen with photos so far are:
ARB Drawers:
This is the same Battle Born BB10012 I'm interested in, placed a heavily customized 200 ARB wing by @Eric Sarjeant . Not sure if the wing was customized at all to fit, and for me, I'm not sure of any size differences between ARB and Dobinson interior wing dimension
Dobinson Drawers:
Same drawer system I'm buying, but different battery installed by @TheGrrrrr . He went with what looks like a solid battery choice, the Renogy RBT100LFP12S. Looks like a snug but good fit, in PM's with him he said he has extra space on top. That particular battery is smaller than either of the 2 options I listed above. It is spec'd at 11.38 × 6.77 × 7.38 in- (Length/Width/Height). So my main concern is the height difference. Based off the spec sheet the Renogy is about 1.5" shorter than either the Battle Born or the RELiON. Would the drawer top still be able to close with a taller battery? Also other concern is the Battle Born and the RELiON are also about 1.5" longer as well, so with it being such a tight squeeze, would they then black the A/C air intake too much if placed on the driver's side?
Trekboxx Drawers:
This is the same RELiON RB100 I'm interested in, placed a very nice Trekboxx wing by @mrburlingame . The pics on this look the most spacious of all, but the Trekboxx being a completely different design compared ARB or Dobinson, I really don't know how to compare. As much as they would be my #1 choice, the Trekboxx drawers are outta my price range. This RELiON looks like an ideal fit with those drawers. It looks like it fits further towards the back of the truck, and also has some space so it's not pressed against that A/C inlet. Very nice.
Personally, I'm looking at buying the Dobinsons drawers within the next week. I am hoping to able to put a 100 Ah LiFePO4 in 1 of the 2 wings. Battery-wise, If I'm spending the money, I'd rather just stick with the hi-end choices with the best warranty. My top 2 choices, after watching way too many Will Prowse YouTube reviews are:
Battle Born BB10012 100Ah
12.75 × 6.875 × 9 in- (Length/Width/Height)
100Ah 12V LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery
The 100Ah 12V LiFePO4 Deep Cycle battery is the pinnacle of battery technology and the lightweight drop-in replacement for lead acid batteries.
battlebornbatteries.com
RELiON RB100 100Ah
13 × 6.8 × 8.8 in - (Length/Width/Height)
12V 100Ah Lithium Battery for Solar Power, RV, and Marine Applications | RELiON
12V 100Ah rechargeable, lithium drop-in replacement battery that can solve most power source needs. Longer-lasting, more lightweight and safer than lead-acid.
relionbattery.com
So far none of the posts I've seen match what I'm trying to combo up. The ones I've seen with photos so far are:
ARB Drawers:
This is the same Battle Born BB10012 I'm interested in, placed a heavily customized 200 ARB wing by @Eric Sarjeant . Not sure if the wing was customized at all to fit, and for me, I'm not sure of any size differences between ARB and Dobinson interior wing dimension
Next Level - Triple battery setup
I figured I should share this video as it was a very special modification for a very special customer (fellow Mudder) giving us the patience and budget to make a next-level off-grid solution- “ultimate” power management setup. This is a triple battery setup using two Odyssey Extreme AGMs under...
forum.ih8mud.com
Dobinson Drawers:
Same drawer system I'm buying, but different battery installed by @TheGrrrrr . He went with what looks like a solid battery choice, the Renogy RBT100LFP12S. Looks like a snug but good fit, in PM's with him he said he has extra space on top. That particular battery is smaller than either of the 2 options I listed above. It is spec'd at 11.38 × 6.77 × 7.38 in- (Length/Width/Height). So my main concern is the height difference. Based off the spec sheet the Renogy is about 1.5" shorter than either the Battle Born or the RELiON. Would the drawer top still be able to close with a taller battery? Also other concern is the Battle Born and the RELiON are also about 1.5" longer as well, so with it being such a tight squeeze, would they then black the A/C air intake too much if placed on the driver's side?
Builds - What did you do to your Land Cruiser/Toyota/Lexus 4X4 this week?
So is the black truck going up for sale? Wheels and Nittos are installed, thanks for the deal! Good I'm glad it worked out for you. Yes, it will be up for sale hopefully by the end of July. A few things need to be sorted and I need to decide how far to take it before I put it up for sale...
forum.ih8mud.com
Trekboxx Drawers:
This is the same RELiON RB100 I'm interested in, placed a very nice Trekboxx wing by @mrburlingame . The pics on this look the most spacious of all, but the Trekboxx being a completely different design compared ARB or Dobinson, I really don't know how to compare. As much as they would be my #1 choice, the Trekboxx drawers are outta my price range. This RELiON looks like an ideal fit with those drawers. It looks like it fits further towards the back of the truck, and also has some space so it's not pressed against that A/C inlet. Very nice.
Builds - Mrburlingame’s 200 Series Build - Garlic
Electrical System & Communications My previous experience with a dual battery setup in my 80 was a positive one, though I wished the second battery held more juice, and longer. Fortunately, technology has improved, and I was super curious about lithium batteries for a 200 build, particularly...
forum.ih8mud.com