Lithium batteries

[Andre]

Hi.

I found these lithium batteries online called Battle Born. They are $899US for a 100 Ah battery. That seems a little cheaper then some others LiFeP04 I’ve seen. Does anybody have any experience with these?

Thanks

[Ray]

Interesting, I see NAWS sells them – https://www.solar-electric.com/battle-born-bb10012-100ah-12v-lithium-battery.html

Hopefully, the prices keep coming down for when my battery bank needs replacing down the line.

[J J]

Price will have to come down about 75% before I would be interested and even then there are drawbacks to Lithium.

J

[Andre]

I’ve been keeping an eye on the lithium Smart Batteries (made in China) and the price hasn’t gone down in the past few years. It’s about $1750 CAN compared to the Battle Born (made in US) which is $899 US ($1150 CAN). I want more amp hours but don’t want 4×6 volts, ~280 lbs of batteries on my travel trailer’s tongue. Two 100 ah lithiums would only be about 58 lbs. My batteries need replacing soon, they don’t keep a charge very well.

What are the drawbacks you are talking about?

Andre

[J J]

Hi Andre,

Sounds like you have one good reason to look at lithium that being weight. Weight for me is not an issue as we operate a large 5th wheel with lots of capacity. The drawback I’m referring to are the temp limitations, lithium need to be maintained at specific operating Temps. As a result of this there is a requirement for specialized charging components, essentially a computer to ensure the charging parameters are maintained. I have already invested in high quality components and would not be interested in replacing it all. So if you add the cost of the batteries and the equipment needed to maintain them it’s a very expensive proposition. I haven’t done a cost per amp hour but I’m sure lithium would be much more than the relatively cheap lead acid battery bank. All that said, if weight is the deciding factor then that is that.

J

[Andre]

These LiFeP04 lithium batteries have a integrated BMS (battery management system) so they are just drop and replacement battery. No need for special equipment to maintain them.

Andre

[Eddie & Aileen]

I’m with JJ, the price is just to high right now. Even with counting on the 50% mark of lead acid the Lithium batteries are to expensive. (2)-T105 RE 6-volt (225 AH) batteries are around $350.00, that is $550.00 cheaper than the Battle Born LiFePo4. That is if you go with the 50% discharge figure for standerd GC-2 batteries. The T-105 RE’s are made for the Off-Grid power storage systems like solar, and is rated to be able to discharge 80% on a regular bases. Even the Battle Born Lithium batteries with a BMS has it’s limitations in temperature extremes. All Batteries have their limitations, even the LiFePo4. :bye:

Happy Trails!!!  

[Andre]

Well, I bought 2 of the Battle Born 100 ah batteries. I put them inside my TT, under the front bunk. I made some cables using #2 gauge cables, nice and short and put a 2000 watt Renogy pure sine inverter. I’m really impressed. Went camping this week, off grid, and mainly cooked using an induction plate, using my toaster and leaving things plugged in like my laptop. The batteries hardly discharged. My 4×100 watt solar panels and Blu Sky 3000i controller charged them very quickly. The batteries seem to charge faster than the old lead acid. I had them shipped to a US address and picked them up in Ogdensburg, an hour from Ottawa. They ended up costing about $2650 CAN for both after exchange and tax.

[Rodney]

Sounds like a good choice. Need to replace my batteries soon, and I might consider it also.

[Author]

Posts