Memorial Day Sales on LiFePO batteries!

[Sagecoachdriver]

Went looking this morning at BattleBorn and Renogy and was surprised that only Renogy had a SALE, 20% off their LiFePO batteries. That brings 2 of their 100ah 12v batteries down to $1573 for 2 with tax and free shipping. VERY TEMPTING!
Not sure what if any the difference is between the Renogy and Battleborn batteries are???

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by Sagecoachdriver

Went looking this morning at BattleBorn and Renogy and was surprised that only Renogy had a SALE, 20% off their LiFePO batteries. That brings 2 of their 100ah 12v batteries down to $1573 for 2 with tax and free shipping. VERY TEMPTING!
Not sure what if any the difference is between the Renogy and Battleborn batteries are???

I would still stay with Battleborn. You may not be able to start your genset. Ask Battleborn for a Military discount.

Battleborn
Warranty: 10yr.
100 Amp Continuous Current
200 Amp Surge Current (30 Seconds)
1/2 second surge for higher loads
3000- 5000 Cycles* (Ten years = 3,654 days)

Renogy
Warranty: 5yr.
100 Amp Continuous Current
Overcurrent Protection Current 150A (made for solar storage)
Cycle Life (100% DOD) - 2000 cycles

[Sagecoachdriver]

Originally Posted by rk06382

I would still stay with Battleborn. You may not be able to start your genset. Ask Battleborn for a Military discount.

Battleborn
Warranty: 10yr.
100 Amp Continuous Current
200 Amp Surge Current (30 Seconds)
1/2 second surge for higher loads
3000- 5000 Cycles* (Ten years = 3,654 days)

Renogy
Warranty: 5yr.
100 Amp Continuous Current
Overcurrent Protection Current 150A (made for solar storage)
Cycle Life (100% DOD) - 2000 cycles

Thanks, I also did some measuring and the Renogy may not fit or be difficult with the cables as it's 9 3/4" high and my step compartment is only 10".

[babock]

The cycle life is likely the same between the Renogy and the Battleborn. The number of cycles depends a lot of depth of discharge just like a flooded lead acid battery.


That being said, I would still buy the Battleborn.

[rk06382]

LiFePO4 Battery Buyers Guide! Battleborn vs. Renogy vs. DIY vs. Simpliphi and more!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOqQp2Xjr6U

DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse
Published on Feb 7, 2019
Video Table of Contents to Save Time!
Battery Reviews-
Battle born: 1:31
Renogy: 3:26
Relion: 4:35
Simpliphi: 6:01
Kilovault: 6:53
Chinese HHX: 7:46
My DIY Used Prismatic Cell Battery: 8:50
DIY New Prismatic Cell Battery: 9:53
DIY New Prismatic Cells with BMS: 10:23

Bonus Material!
$16 BMS vs. $300 BMS: 12:20
Prismatic VS. Cylindrical Cells: 14:44

BattleBorn uses Cylindrical Cells. see: 4:36 below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnINTNfN7u4&t=188s

altE Store
Published on Sep 8, 2017



BattleBorn uses 26 650 (Cylindrical) Cells see: 16:00 below (650 cells are AA size)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s64CuK5Yy_o

Mortons on the Move
Published on Aug 30, 2018

[kgriff5667]

Originally Posted by Sagecoachdriver

Went looking this morning at BattleBorn and Renogy and was surprised that only Renogy had a SALE, 20% off their LiFePO batteries. That brings 2 of their 100ah 12v batteries down to $1573 for 2 with tax and free shipping. VERY TEMPTING!
Not sure what if any the difference is between the Renogy and Battleborn batteries are???

Are they lithium batteries? if no, why not go lithium at that price? I have 2
Lion Energy Safari UT lithium that gives me 200ah with life time warrantee

[mlmay12]

Originally Posted by kgriff5667

Are they lithium batteries? if no, why not go lithium at that price? I have 2
Lion Energy Safari UT lithium that gives me 200ah with life time warrantee

They are Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries and I still love the Battle Borns after using them for 15 months. Not one issue.

[kgriff5667]

Originally Posted by mlmay12

They are Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries and I still love the Battle Borns after using them for 15 months. Not one issue.

How is the charging? Do you charge batteries using solar panel or charge while traveling I do seem to have a slight problem with the lion batteries. Sometimes they charge quickly and sometimes they take much longer, even on shore power.

[mlmay12]

Originally Posted by kgriff5667

How is the charging? Do you charge batteries using solar panel or charge while traveling I do seem to have a slight problem with the lion batteries. Sometimes they charge quickly and sometimes they take much longer, even on shore power.

I have 4 x 100W solar panels but they only put out a total of 14A, two of them are pretty cheap. That said they charge my batteries in a few hours and if its overcast I run my generator for 30 minutes to an hour before sundown. Usually don't need the generator. The batteries pack about 2-3 times the power of the original lead acid gel batteries at 29 lbs each and can be discharged much deeper. I usually don't need to go below 50% but have taken them down to 15% with no problem. I exclusively boon-dock so they get a workout.

[kgriff5667]

Originally Posted by mlmay12

I have 4 x 100W solar panels but they only put out a total of 14A, two of them are pretty cheap. That said they charge my batteries in a few hours and if its overcast I run my generator for 30 minutes to an hour before sundown. Usually don't need the generator. The batteries pack about 2-3 times the power of the original lead acid gel batteries at 29 lbs each and can be discharged much deeper. I usually don't need to go below 50% but have taken them down to 15% with no problem. I exclusively boon-dock so they get a workout.

Thanks for the info. This will help.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by kgriff5667

How is the charging? Do you charge batteries using solar panel or charge while traveling I do seem to have a slight problem with the lion batteries. Sometimes they charge quickly and sometimes they take much longer, even on shore power.

What kind of converter/charger are you using.

Battleborn offers their batteries as "drop in replacements" and says you can use the same charging equipment as for lead acid batteries but also state that the old equipment may not charge them fully, or as fast.

I just made the changeover to LiFePo and found out quick that if you want to charge them fast and totally full a charger that can maintain a 14.6 charge voltage is necessary. If you have a Progressive Dynamics with Charge Wizard and Pendant you can merely push the button on the Pendant and force it into Boost Mode which is 14.6 volts.

To charge from your vehicle while underway it will most require the addition of a Redarc, Sterling, or Renogy DC-DC Inverter or also known as a battery to battery charger.

The LiFePo batteries need more voltage to charge both quickly and completely (along with the higher current the voltage forces in). If using solar, current will be limited to the amount of sun available.

At first I resisted changing to Lithium but one day I just said "blank" it and went the whole way. A Lithium charger from Progressive Dynamics, a DC-DC charger from Renogy, and a MPPT smart solar controller from Victron to take the power from my "Frankensteined" solar suitcase (160 watt total output from Komaes).

Yes, it was relatively expensive but I won't be buying any more batteries or worrying about whether or not the furnace will run all night when camping in freezing weather. In comparison it was cheaper than a week long cruise in the Caribbean (and will certainly last longer)