Lithium battery brands

[69473]

We keep hearing how good lithium batteries are however prices can vary depending on brand for a similar amp hr.
Can someone explain which brands have the best reputation and why.

 

[Stanbrook]

Nearly all lithium cell production is taking place in the Far East, and production standards and safety standards in their manufacture are difficult to verify. While there is an international standard for Transportation (UN38.3), as far as I can find there are few – if any –internationally agreed standards for battery production.

Premium brands in like Victron have the benefit of a 3year warranty.

The Victron SuperPack batteries are extremely easy to install, not needing any additional components.
The internal switch will disconnect the battery in case of over discharge, over charge or high temperature.

The batteries can be connected in parallel. Series connection is not allowed.



Features

Integrated BMS and safety switch

The SuperPack batteries are extremely easy to install, needing no additional components.

The internal switch will disconnect the battery in case of over discharge, over charge or high temperature.

Abuse proof

A lead-acid battery will fail prematurely due to sulfation:

If it operates in deficit mode during long periods of time (i.e. if the battery is rarely, or never at all, fully charged).
If it is left partially charged or worse, fully discharged.
A Lithium-Ion battery does not need to be fully charged. Service life even slightly improves in case of partial charge instead of a full charge. This is a major advantage of Li-ion compared to lead-acid.

The SuperPack batteries will cut-off the charge or discharge current when the maximum ratings are exceeded.

Efficient

In several applications (especially off-grid solar), energy efficiency can be of crucial importance.

The round-trip energy efficiency (discharge from 100% to 0% and back to 100% charged) of the average lead-acid battery is 80%.

The round-trip energy efficiency of a Li-ion battery is 92%.

The charge process of lead-acid batteries becomes particularly inefficient when the 80% state of charge has been reached, resulting in efficiencies of 50% or even less in solar systems where several days of reserve energy are required (battery operating in 70% to 100% charged state).

In contrast, a Li-ion battery will still achieve 90% efficiency even under shallow discharge conditions.

Can be connected in parallel

The batteries can be connected in parallel. Series connection is not allowed. Use in upright position only.

Or

Buy a cheap £260 120Ah 12v lithium leisurely battery from Alibaba like I did and you don't get any warranty. Goodluck

 

[69473]

Thanks for the information, how's the Alibaba battery doing?

 

[SomeoneElse]

If you want to buy from the manufacturer then use rj-lithium.com. My 271AH cells aren't getting much use since I installed them this time last year

 

[funflair]

I would think its a bit early in the life cycle of Lithium to build up much in the way of reputation, well certainly in terms of reliability and longevity, the more expensive offerings seem to have higher discharge rates, I am hoping that Super-B are good they certainly perform well but it's too early to say wether they will be as good in 10 or 15 years.

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[Nomadian]

If you want to buy from the manufacturer then use rj-lithium.com. My 271AH cells aren't getting much use since I installed them this time last year

Did you buy from rj-lithium? Any problems importing?

 

[LesW]

Premium brands in like Victron have the benefit of a 3year warranty.

I would expect at least 5 years on a battery costing around £1000..

 

[Stanbrook]

Thanks for the information, how's the Alibaba battery doing?

I have mounted a 300w sterling inverter and the 10A charger on the battery to make a travel power unit.



Weighing 9.3kg total l use it on my wife's mobility scooter. She runs a 200W heat pad, nebuliser when needed and a 100W heated body warmer!

The built in BMS if it is to be believed shows it takes 9hrs to charge on mains from flat-10V. It appears to be 110Ah capacity. Good luck

 

[Pausim]

We keep hearing how good lithium batteries are however prices can vary depending on brand for a similar amp hr.
Can someone explain which brands have the best reputation and why.

I have had my Relion RB100 for 3 years now and I remain very happy with the performance. It is difficult to judge between brands but I suspect that the cheaper brands are cheaper for a reason. I would be inclined to buy from a battery retailer who has established a good UK reputation or a manufacturer who has a good reputation for a wide range of products. Neither of these is likely to want to damage their good reputations by selling second rate LiFePO4 batteries. The length of manufacturers warranty is also a good sign of confidence in their product. Relion give a 5 year warranty.

 

[SomeoneElse]

Did you buy from rj-lithium? Any problems importing?

Yes, I didn't pay the extra for an Air courier, I took the 3 month estimate by sea. After 5 weeks they turned up in Prague (not close to the sea) and dpd delivered from there. Due to dpd weight limit per parcel my 8 cells came in 3 boxes.On arrival all the cells measured to same voltage; unbelievable!

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