LiFePo4 batteries

[WanderingCanuck]

There's a lot of good info in this thread, so I'll bump it with my question instead of posting a new one.

For a no-shore-power, minimal solar, mostly alternator van setup, what are the opinions on purchasing a kit like this:

https://battlebornbatteries.com/shop/adventure-in-a-backpack-lithium-battery-kit-200ah-amp/

Is this a fairly cost-effective way to get going without the risk of damaging expensive batteries? I'd have to add a programmable DC-DC charger for the alternator to the kit as well.

All said and done, with wires and anything else, what would the total cost look like to build a solution around this kit?

 

[John61CT]

Fine for a small House bank, but dunno your energy budget, nor your recharge sources available.

Keep the lead starter in place for alt primary output.

The install and wiring won't be much more than with any other batt choice, too many variables to guess for your situation.

 

[DLTooley]

Last I checked the lifepo4 batteries on the Chinese commerce site alibaba were the best deal. Shipping is slow.

 

[WanderingCanuck]

Last I checked the lifepo4 batteries on the Chinese commerce site alibaba were the best deal. Shipping is slow.

How do you choose though, there are so many different configurations and sellers. It's a lot of money just to roll the dice.

 

[dhurtt]

One Amazon reviewer for the Renogy lithium batteries said that they were just branded versions of these EWT batteries. https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...pm=a2700.7724857.normalList.69.45ba7a94YSypMi At $900 versus $475, if these truly are the same batteries I can see why people are ordering directly from the manufacturer.

 

[johnny b]

A new battery just out is from an established solar company in Massachusetts...Alt-E Store.

KiloVault LiFePo4....150 and 300 ah models. [charge - Bulk/Absorption: 14.1V recommended (14.0 - 14.2V ) Float: 13.8V recommended (13.4 - 14.0V )]

https://www.altestore.com/store/dee...ault-lithium-solar-battery-p41011/#KLV1800HLX

First of the 'drop in' style I've seen that don't give a 14.6 (early death) charging voltage...(i.e. Stark, Battleborn, etc.)

Price point not too bad - $8.66/ah for the 'small' one, $7.60/ah for the big one. (not alibaba cheap, but comes with warranty & customer support)

 

[John61CT]

There is no reason to let the vendor's silly charge reco affect our purchase decision.

There is a lot to say for a U.S. based company with a trustworthy reputation handling warranty returns without needing to ship back to China.

I however would wait for at least five years of user reports before spending my money, but then my banks average 600AH, and I don't parallel more than three strings, so not applicable for me anyway.

 

[Workinonit]

I found an EWT on Alibaba, around $450 for a roughly equivalent two golf cart battery alternative.  **Without Shipping**

https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...ml?spm=a2700.7724857.main07.57.182349bbjDs5Yv

Renogy has one for $900, shipping included - and **sold out**.  A 10% off online coupon popped up on my search.

https://www.renogy.com/renogy-lithium-iron-phosphate-battery-12-volt-100ah/


Hi I was just wondering how did that EWT battery work out ?? Thanks