In this post, I demo and review an interesting portable fridge/freezer product from ACOPOWER. Their LiONCooler portable fridge/freezer has the ability to be powered by an AC outlet, DC car charger, and a solar panel. Even cooler is it comes with a removable/rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack that can power the LiONCooler all on its own! … Read more
In this video, I review the Safari ME portable power station from Lion Energy. This isn’t my first time reviewing a Lion Energy product. In fact, two years ago I installed and reviewed their UT1300 12V RV lithium battery offering. Over the months that followed, I published a number of updates and demo videos. They … Read more
In this video, I perform an informal, unscientific test of the Safari UT1300 lithium batteries cold-weather performance. Charge/discharge tests, how low can you go? I put the battery inside a plastic file box to simulate a battery box and load it into my deep freeze. I then and test the charge and discharging amperage at … Read more
In this video, I update you on how it’s going with the new Lion Energy UT 1300 batteries now that I have been doing some real-world tests boondocking in the southwest. I’ve been able to charge the batteries perfectly well with my existing Bogart solar controller and my Intelipower PD9260 converter charger by using its … Read more
In this video, I give you a quick look at the new Lion Energy UT 1300 lithium RV battery. I’m swapping out my model UT 1200s for this latest offering. The new model is the same footprint but about 3 lbs heavier. However, the capacity has been upped from 90 amp hours to 105 hours … Read more
In this video, I conclude my initial review of my new Lion Energy Safari UT 1200 lithium batteries. I have 3 of their 12V 90Ah batteries wired in parallel to produce a 270Ah bank. They are replacing 4 Interstate 6V golf cart batteries we have used for the last 3-4 years. So far, I’ve published … Read more
In the following two videos I put my new Lion Energy Safari UT 12V 90Ah lithium batteries through multiple real-world RVing test situations. For more information about the Safari UT check out my previous blog posts and videos – Upgrading Lead Acid RV Batteries to Lithium and Lion Energy Safari UT Lithium Battery Q & … Read more
Now that I have installed and begun my review of the Lion Energy Safari UT lithium iron phosphate (LIFePO4) battery, there have been quite a few questions popping up from my LYRV readers and viewers. Rather than continue to answer the common questions over and over, I’ve decided to publish Q & A type post … Read more
In this first video, I introduce you to Lion Energy’s Safari UT battery that I will be installing in our Cougar fifth-wheel trailer. The Safari UT is a 12V 90AH Lithium Iron Phosphate battery designed as a drop-in replacement for typical lead-acid type batteries found in RVs. I’ll be removing my current battery bank consisting … Read more
In this video, I demo and then install a Go Power! TS-30 transfer switch into my 2011 Keystone Cougar fifth-wheel trailer. I’m using the transfer switch to automatically and safely transfer input power between my Safari ME portable power station’s 2000W inverter output and the 30 amp shore power when I plugin at a campground. … Read more
In this video, I go through the current state of my RV boondocking power systems. Over the last year or so, I’ve added more solar panels, a 40 amp DC-DC charger, and a new 40 amp MPPT solar charge controller. With all these recent additions, a major reorganization to the existing system and wiring was … Read more
In this video, I upgrade the old manual push rod galley waste tank valve to a Drain Master electric valve. Back in the summer of 2018, I upgraded both my black and bathroom waste valves to electric. Both have performed well. Link to those install videos This installation makes all my waste tank valves electrically … Read more
Just a heads up that Costco has a special limited-time deal on the Lion Energy UT1300 batteries beginning Aug 17th 2x UT 1300s for $1399 This is for Costco members only and a limited-time deal. For Costco non-members or when the Costco deal has expired, you can still get 15% off any Lion Energy product … Read more
In this video, I do an experimental test by charging my Lion Energy UT1300 batteries using my regular OEM lead-acid converter charger and my InteliPower PD9260 converter with the optional Charge Wizard pendant. The Charge Wizard allows me to override the normal lead-acid charging algorithm and put the charger into 14.4V manual boost mode. I … Read more
In this video, I review a 170-watt solar panel from a company called BougeRV. First, I check over the build quality and inform you of the dimensions, weight, and rated output voltage and amperage. We also have a quick look at the shipping packaging. Next, I set up a testbed using one of my Lion … Read more