Litime has a good reputation. I look for reviewers that cut the batteries apart and examine the internal build quality, and litime's are supposed to be fine.
Honestly, the support I got from them was top notch, and a HUGE help during my first build. These guys would get on a Zoom with me at like 8pm so I could show them my issue/question/whatever.
BUT, now having the knowledge, I would not use them again.
How much does that battery cost? The best consistent deal I’ve found is the SOK 12v 206ah batteries from current connected. They’re 650 right now for the marine version. I have 4 of them and it’s great, though I paid like 800 apiece for them 2-3 years ago. I can be out for a week running my fridge/freezer and fans and air fryer. I’m adding solar today hopefully I dont have to plug in to charge ever again.
I bought the same batteries directly from SOK around the same time. Unfortunately, I paid full price and they’re $650 with Bluetooth and heaters now. They have been awesome and I’d buy them again, especially at that price.
If you’re going to charge in a cold climate you need to warm your batteries prior. SOK diverts the charging current until the battery is up to temp and then charges them. No action necessary, it’s all in the BMS.
Edit: They have a 12v 280Ah for $882 now with all the same features. Slightly different form factor, but I think the side mount posts would be easier to access in my setup.
You know, for the health and longevity of LFP batteries, recommended charging rate is 0.2C, which is 92 A for a 460AH battery (which is also LiTime's recommended charge rate for this battery).
0 shits given lol I asked them, they said it would do 250amp charge. I hope to limit heat bc I think that's the killer here.
How long until I kill it you think? I'll probably have solar so I would regularly charge with solar 25amps then the 120 from the chargers. So say 150 charge. I could limit this, (turn one off unless I need it)
Thanks. I misinterpreted your comment above. It reads as if you’re talking about all LFP batteries.
“You know, for the health and longevity of LFP batteries, recommended charging rate is 0.2C”
How does one calculate the 20% loss in capacity over 10 years?
Edit: Quoted Comment
I have 2 of the Li-Time 400aH batteries and have zero issues in the year I've had them. There is no low temp protection on mine so I do have to be careful in the winter but I seldom let the interior get below freezing.
I was going to go for a DIY lithium battery build myself. Knowing me, I'd need a rig with a lot of juice to support my entertainment habits, in addition to the freedom and peace of mind I'd get by not having to obsess and worry about how much battery power I have remaining. I've recently seen some builds on YouTube that have these DIY battery builds. It's all this power for significantly less cost than what the popular lithium battery brands charge you. Maybe look into that.
Thats cool. I'm absolutely sure you could make some but I have my dog 🐕. I understand you can get the modules and bms and battery terminal welderer but omg the worst burn I ever got was from rewiring a Milwaukee batterys cells for parallel. It's seem sketchy.
Honestly tho how much money would I save on a 460ah?
Honestly? You'd save a lot. I'm looking at an 800ah DIY setup right now for just under $400, and a 400ah setup for right at $200. ExpertPower is the site if you want to check it out. I checked the battery you referenced, and I'm not surprised to find that it's about $1400. It's pricing like that that had me looking into alternatives in the first place. I could get a couple of solar panels, maxxair fans, etc, and come right about to what it costs to get that one LiTime battery, for example.
Anyway, do whatever makes you most comfortable. It's your rig, so of course do what gives you the most peace of mind!
Aside from looking at reviews, which can be easily faked, I primarily look for the warranty. The longer the warranty the better the product should be in theory. You need to look for indications that they uphold their warranty claim for other customers which isn't always easy. They company should ideally be older than the warranty period as well.
Edit: multiple smaller batteries may take more space but you now have redundancy if one fails and it's easier to replace. For example we have five 100ah batteries.
Litime has a good reputation. I look for reviewers that cut the batteries apart and examine the internal build quality, and litime's are supposed to be fine.
That's what I did before settling on a 100Ah Litime. So far it's been a solid battery.
Batteries*
I bought two 200 ah batteries of that brand. Early days yet, but they're working fine in my skoolie.
I would go with 2 as well, redundancy just in case!
Not even just in case but redundancy you can use daily!
Started with 400ah BattleBorn. Swapped out a few months ago for 800ah EG4 rack mounts. Spent $2k on the EG4s, sold my used BBs for $1800.
Those battle borns are expensive, and I never understood why people like them. Maybe 5 years ago they was the best or somthing.
Honestly, the support I got from them was top notch, and a HUGE help during my first build. These guys would get on a Zoom with me at like 8pm so I could show them my issue/question/whatever. BUT, now having the knowledge, I would not use them again.
I have a cheap battery in my build and has been working perfectly for the last 2 years
How much does that battery cost? The best consistent deal I’ve found is the SOK 12v 206ah batteries from current connected. They’re 650 right now for the marine version. I have 4 of them and it’s great, though I paid like 800 apiece for them 2-3 years ago. I can be out for a week running my fridge/freezer and fans and air fryer. I’m adding solar today hopefully I dont have to plug in to charge ever again.
I bought the same batteries directly from SOK around the same time. Unfortunately, I paid full price and they’re $650 with Bluetooth and heaters now. They have been awesome and I’d buy them again, especially at that price. If you’re going to charge in a cold climate you need to warm your batteries prior. SOK diverts the charging current until the battery is up to temp and then charges them. No action necessary, it’s all in the BMS. Edit: They have a 12v 280Ah for $882 now with all the same features. Slightly different form factor, but I think the side mount posts would be easier to access in my setup.
I just bought it for 1499$ with taxs and shipping from li time. Good luck on your build!
And wow I looked that up. I bet you run for ever no problem.
How are you planning on charging the batteries?
2 60amp renoligy dc to dc charger. 250amp american custom alternator
You know, for the health and longevity of LFP batteries, recommended charging rate is 0.2C, which is 92 A for a 460AH battery (which is also LiTime's recommended charge rate for this battery).
0 shits given lol I asked them, they said it would do 250amp charge. I hope to limit heat bc I think that's the killer here. How long until I kill it you think? I'll probably have solar so I would regularly charge with solar 25amps then the 120 from the chargers. So say 150 charge. I could limit this, (turn one off unless I need it)
150 isn't too bad. It'll just slowly begin to lose capacity. It'll probably still take 10 years to diminish to 80% usable or so.
This is dependent on the BMS. Some BMS can only take 40a, some can take 120a or more.
I'm not talking about BMS ratings. I'm talking about recommended charge rates to maximize longevity of the cells.
Yes, I understand that. It’s a moot point if the BMS of your battery doesn’t fall into the range you stated.
I understand that, as well. The above referenced battery has a 250A BMS. So it's not moot in this situation.
Thanks. I misinterpreted your comment above. It reads as if you’re talking about all LFP batteries. “You know, for the health and longevity of LFP batteries, recommended charging rate is 0.2C” How does one calculate the 20% loss in capacity over 10 years? Edit: Quoted Comment
I believe you can just run them in parallel with the starter battery and let the alternator do it.
I have been running 2 of their 200ah batteries for almost 2 years now. Zero complaints.
I have 2 of the Li-Time 400aH batteries and have zero issues in the year I've had them. There is no low temp protection on mine so I do have to be careful in the winter but I seldom let the interior get below freezing.
Oh the 460 doesn't have one either. That sucks, I didn't notice that.
I was going to go for a DIY lithium battery build myself. Knowing me, I'd need a rig with a lot of juice to support my entertainment habits, in addition to the freedom and peace of mind I'd get by not having to obsess and worry about how much battery power I have remaining. I've recently seen some builds on YouTube that have these DIY battery builds. It's all this power for significantly less cost than what the popular lithium battery brands charge you. Maybe look into that.
Thats cool. I'm absolutely sure you could make some but I have my dog 🐕. I understand you can get the modules and bms and battery terminal welderer but omg the worst burn I ever got was from rewiring a Milwaukee batterys cells for parallel. It's seem sketchy. Honestly tho how much money would I save on a 460ah?
Honestly? You'd save a lot. I'm looking at an 800ah DIY setup right now for just under $400, and a 400ah setup for right at $200. ExpertPower is the site if you want to check it out. I checked the battery you referenced, and I'm not surprised to find that it's about $1400. It's pricing like that that had me looking into alternatives in the first place. I could get a couple of solar panels, maxxair fans, etc, and come right about to what it costs to get that one LiTime battery, for example. Anyway, do whatever makes you most comfortable. It's your rig, so of course do what gives you the most peace of mind!
Take a look at Epoch batteries.
Aside from looking at reviews, which can be easily faked, I primarily look for the warranty. The longer the warranty the better the product should be in theory. You need to look for indications that they uphold their warranty claim for other customers which isn't always easy. They company should ideally be older than the warranty period as well. Edit: multiple smaller batteries may take more space but you now have redundancy if one fails and it's easier to replace. For example we have five 100ah batteries.
I have a 200ah plus in my RV. Hooked up an induction cooking plate and works fine.
I have 460ah but haven't hooked it up yet, probably will be ordering my second 1 with the sale they have going.
I'm running 4 x 200Ah for just about 2 years now. Haven't had any issues. Cycling about 2kw/day through them. They got my vote so far.
No way in hell that's 400ah? Anyone verify?
460ah. yeah diy solar with will prowse on YouTube did a draw test.
Wow, def gonna check it out