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Lion Energy Safari UT1300 (105Ah LifePO4) batteries 2-Pack $1,399.99 for Costco members $1399.99
$1,399.99
These are on sale and in stock again at Costco, I just ordered a pair. The sale goes through 3/28/21 and while supplies last.
https://www.costco.com/lion-energ...63833.h
Features:
12.8V, 105Ah, 1344Wh
Can be Used in either Series or Parallel Configuration
150A Continuous Draw, 100A Charge
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Chemistry for Long Life and Reliable Energy Storage
3,500 Full Depth of Discharge Lifecycles
The batteries are selling for $999.00 each directly from Lion Energy
https://www.costco.com/lion-energ...63833.h
Features:
12.8V, 105Ah, 1344Wh
Can be Used in either Series or Parallel Configuration
150A Continuous Draw, 100A Charge
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Chemistry for Long Life and Reliable Energy Storage
3,500 Full Depth of Discharge Lifecycles
The batteries are selling for $999.00 each directly from Lion Energy
Created 03-05-2021
at 04:50 PM
by Pumpkinator
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9 Comments
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Here is a good review with all the issues -
"At a minimum, most installations will require some/all of the following: wiring changes; new battery hold-down hardware; a heated and/or cooled space; a battery monitor; and a $300-$500 "DC to DC charger and/or a new DC power supply/converter."
See details below:
1) Almost all installations will require at least some wiring changes, because the terminals on the UT1300 batteries are completely different from the terminals found on the 'marine', golf cart, and AGM batteries most people use. Also, the hardware is much smaller than industry standard -- 6mm (<1/4"). You may need: new cables, new terminals, junction blocks, and/or 3rd party lugs fitted to the UT 1300 battery posts. Unfortunately, battery lugs are tapered to fit standard lead-acid battery posts. The UT1300 posts are cylindrical, so the contact area with tapered lugs will be dramatically reduced.
The posts are removable. Cable terminals can be attached directly to the battery terminals using the appropriate length 6mm bolts. If leaving the posts installed the recommended torque is just 12 lb-ft, due to the tiny 6mm stud that secures the post to the terminal. Unfortunately, the post does not have a hex head, so a torque wrench cannot be used. It may be possible to thread a 6mm hex head bolt into the threaded hole in the top of the post and use a torque wrench on the bolt head.
2) Almost all installations will require new battery hold-down hardware, since the UT1300 case is significantly shorter than most common lead-acid batteries.
3) As with all LiFePO4 batteries, UT1300s that will be used below freezing (32*F) must be in a heated space or have a battery warmer, as the UT1300 cannot be charged when it is below 32*F. The upper temp limit is 113*F -- so those who live in -- or plan to travel to -- the desert Southwest may want to install the batteries in an air conditioned space. Note -- most/all LIFePO4 batteries have similar temp limitations, but these limits are another reason why LiFePO4 batteries should not be marketed as "Plug-n-Play".
4) A battery monitor is not absolutely necessary to use these batteries, but unlike with lead-acid batteries, it is not possible to determine the charge level (SOC) with a voltmeter. Without a battery monitor there is no way to know the actual SOC -- aside from the coarse (20/40/60/80/100%) display on the battery case. That's a nice feature, but many batteries are not readily accessible once installed. Battery monitors run $150 to $200. They are meant to be mounted close to the battery(s) but their shunts are not sealed, so if the battery box is open to the outside the shunt may fail from exposure to dust and moisture.
5) Any installation that utilizes alternator charging MUST have a DC-to-DC charger to limit current and properly charge the UT1300. Failure to use a DC-DC charger will result in excessive current flow and may damage the alternator and/or the chassis wiring and other components. You can bet Lion Energy will not accept responsibility for any damage resulting from their batteries being charged directly from the alternator -- even though they strongly imply that is possible ("drop-in lead-acid replacement").
Lion Energy recommends Redarc DC-DC chargers. The 50 amp Redarc BCDC 1250D costs almost $500. There are other chargers that cost $100 to $200 less, but they are not environmentally sealed. If the charger will be mounted in a typical open battery box exposed to dust and water, Redarc appears to be the only game in town. If mounting indoors there are other options.
None of the above are insurmountable problems, but they can be both time-consuming and expensive.
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Yes, I was going to go with the chinese route, building my lifepo4, but now I'm thinking for simplicity and peace of mind, I'll just get two of these.