Just want to bring up and option that I'm pursuing that I don't see discussed in the forums (apologies if I missed it).
I'm going with a packaged Li-ion system -- Goal Zero or Inergy Kodiak.
There are 3 disclosures that really make this work for me:
1) I can get a very good discount on Goal Zero products -- as in cheaper than it would cost me to cobble something together.
2) I am starting from scratch so I am not retrofitting or changing technologies.
3) I am an energy sipper. A 1 KWhr supplemented with solar and onboard DC charging will allow me to meet all my expected energy needs and keep the discharge to 50% or less for optimal life and cell health.
Both Kodiak and the GZ Li 1000 are NMC batteries that come with a PWM controllers. The GZ has a MPPT available that I consider necessary. They are also coming out with a DC vehicle charger in a couple weeks (Kodiak already has that, I think) and a better 300W wall charger (absolutely necessary, IMO). Kodiak has a better charging profile.
Let's see... other differences
The larger GZ systems have WIFI but that makes little sense to me for camping. However, they are coming out with bluetooth capability, so that's nice.
A big plus for Kodiak is the claimed wt. - 20 lb. The GZ is 40 lb. which is ridiculously heavy for Li-ion batteries. The difference is all packaging. Regardless of the exact NMC technologies used, there is not that big of a difference in the specific energies to account for a 100% wt. penalty. I'll be bringing the battery indoors to store and charge on cold days (even while on the road, maybe), so that could be an issue as I age and weaken. Kodiak also has more outlets and battery chaining with Pb acid (ugh), if you want to expand capacity on the cheap.
Even though there is a huge marketing discrepancy w/ regard to battery life, they are about the same (they just use a different DOD benchmark).
Anybody use either of these - or a similar Li-ion/BMS package? It seems LiFePO4 batteries are favored in the forum discussions but I think that is just b/c of one popular supplier.
Also, do the campers usually come with 12G wiring. I can't imagine ever needing more ampacity than 12G can handle (I'll have to check the NEC but I think it's like 20A continuous). However, I know some of you have pretty big solar systems.
Thanks.