Lithium Upgrade / Freezing Weather - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Lithium Upgrade / Freezing Weather (/showthread.php?tid=8894)

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Lithium Upgrade / Freezing Weather - Jesse - 03-15-2026

Did a quick search didnt see a mention from others about heating the battery bay after upgrading to lithium. I am about to install 900 ah of lithium and thinking about cutting a hole to the aquahot bay from the battery bay and insulating it to ensure it stays above freezing. Thoughts? 

Thanks
Jesse and Sara White
2001 Newell Coach # 581
Wasilla Alaska

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RE: Lithium Upgrade / Freezing Weather - Jack Houpe - 03-16-2026

Your batteries BMS should have low temp cut off but that only saves the batteries and your without electric so I installed two 200 watt ceramic heaters that are controlled by a thermostat and a relay. My system is 24v so you may have to install a few more of these. There are also thermo blankets that you can install under or around them that are controlled by the same type thermostat below. You will have to use a relay as the heaters will draw more current than the thermostat is capable of. 

https://www.amazon.com/Constant-Temperature-Heating-Element-Heaters/dp/B08YX4ZSFX/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1DTYKQCAC203T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qOuJTOGzOE9W_P5o0OrPAW047vcX2HAsyMqlUotXv5bNdIDU6eTlOKLt18HAjRm-0j2vZ0fGXVOEWX461W4op8Z9qSAs7VEv-IMkQZ_IoJxArhVx3DuX4LvwcXcI6Yth_ese4enh5KDaYuvuw8J3YgsrRwyBtfOzyKGjfZVQLcVg65Yp4F4a7PPWbeZ7wEiSJuF5PxZqH5ajsL6ZVofcB3gmQE9cPvZqVME07Tm1ypc.I2Zsuix4CBbdPOy7V-1t-nIMFGrVVU1PoYyPMruRccU&dib_tag=se&keywords=12v+ceramic+heater&qid=1773656298&sprefix=12v+ceramic+heater%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/bayite-Fahrenheit-Digital-Temperature-Controller/dp/B011VGAPOC/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3VAOV9SXNS5SB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ET1qFEPz7pg9QH6tHpMpGofjMwUzQEcRtATX9Rg2Qwi_EXo5KPLxOF8y2eJ8m9A5vdSBFnlcxbPo4SOhA2EpqWgzWk74ybkhKhr9WXa3rmMiTiX60DCLJ_cItK1_R-B9eJcH2cJl3KlOUbWsdpgk1cZmNCTyJz46s55BSvOfB-tseUXdLPAw50qc_8eDL9mn0WJFI_t6iZW-kg1tpnPtpcOJF-E1ddaUAHfW4GOhhJwfa4TgBVAA6vOO1paPCSFYvRNA3sUjI_vMI2R3tz8V21TuJ40BjNNahNscH_Ze3QM.3akeeGkl8pbhMz9r6lFoHVYEv3VNgOSJM2pAXFUy8kI&dib_tag=se&keywords=12v+thermostat&qid=1773656539&s=home-garden&sprefix=12v+thermostat%2Cgarden%2C177&sr=1-3

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RE: Lithium Upgrade / Freezing Weather - Jesse - 03-16-2026

Thanks Jack, I typically only install lithiums inside the coach for this reason, but seems like a huge waste of space to relocate the battery bay on the Newell. In Alaska where we camp it typically dips below freezing for about 7 to 8 months of the year with temperatures around -20 to -30 possiable for 2 to three of those months. As it is I have trouble keeping the water bay on the driver's side from freezing up even with all the bay heaters turned up and the bay floor insulated. I hate to waste energy just to use lithiums but that's the reality unless I relocate them inside. Fgured ambiet heat from the aqua hot bay would be a massive help to the small electric heaters to keep them above freezing in the standard battery bay.

Jesse and Sara White
2001 Newell Coach # 581
Wasilla Alaska

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RE: Lithium Upgrade / Freezing Weather - Greasepower - 03-16-2026

My prevost has the battery storage above re-axles and not sealed so I did vatrer batteries…..self heating.

My blue bird had the best bay heating!

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RE: Lithium Upgrade / Freezing Weather - Jesse - 03-17-2026

Thank you everyone, I'll let you know the final result with some pictures to help any future or current Newell owner operating in the North.

Jesse and Sara White
2001 Newell Coach # 581
Wasilla Alaska

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