I’m looking to get at least two separate 12v 200 amp hour batteries,,, I could even do 300 amp hour battery so I’ve got plenty of room. Missed out on a decent deal for some slightly used ones locally dang it. If anyone has shopped around lately where did you wind up buying from.
Need new batteries for my fifthwheel. Best place to buy right now?
- Thread starter rockwind1
- Start date
I cannot help with which batteries to get…(I DIY -ed my own)
But based on seeing a lot of RVers here the features I think should have:
Bluetooth built in.
Low temperature cutoff.
Heated (either in the battery or something you add to the bay).
The Bluetooth is so you can see if the cells are getting out of balance from each other. (If you have another method to see that data - that’s fine. Then as you work on getting them back in alignment- you know when you are done.
The low temp cutoff is so you don’t ruin the batteries some cold fall morning.
Good Luck with your search.
But based on seeing a lot of RVers here the features I think should have:
Bluetooth built in.
Low temperature cutoff.
Heated (either in the battery or something you add to the bay).
The Bluetooth is so you can see if the cells are getting out of balance from each other. (If you have another method to see that data - that’s fine. Then as you work on getting them back in alignment- you know when you are done.
The low temp cutoff is so you don’t ruin the batteries some cold fall morning.
Good Luck with your search.
scrubjaysnest
Solar Enthusiast
I stayed with Interstate AGM's. Didn't have to change the cc or put a dc to dc charger between alternator and house batteries. Also didn't need to change the converter by going to lithium batteries.
Alkaline
Solar Wizard
Good options and fairly priced (These all have bluetooth monitoring and are serviceable for the most part):
Epoch: They have a premium line that is made by RoyPow, very nicely built as well as more budget friendly Essentials Brand some of them are coming with built in inverter integrations like victron. Good price/performance ratio.
SOK: Very good reputation but are more of a vanilla brand at this point does what it supposed to.
Aolithium (but they only have 100ah) Similar to SOK, good brand uses JBD bms reliable and most aggreively pirced premium brand.
Sun Fun Kits: Offers kits that you can build to save a few $ but also prebuilt. More pricey than the others but has some unique features like being able to turn on heater when idle and an active balancer in a compact case. Assembled in the US.
Voltgo: Looks to be very rugged battery almost like a panasonic toughbook type construction. Pricey but well built.
Brands that are not for me (not getting into details but I have seen enough to avoid):
Waize / LiTime-Ampere Time / Chins / Vestwoods / PowerQueen / Time USB / Enjoy Bot / Varter / Bigbattery & sister company BatteryEVO
Budget brands that show promise but I would be cautious:
Redodo / Golden Mate
Legacy Brands that have lowered pricing and are still good but priced as aggressively as some of the new legit boys
MillerTech / Ionic
Legacy Brands that are no longer price competitive:
Battleborn / Dakota Lithium / Relion / Kilovault / K2O
Money is No Object, the Best of the Best:
Lithionics / Victron Batteries with Victron BMS & Victron Eco System
Epoch: They have a premium line that is made by RoyPow, very nicely built as well as more budget friendly Essentials Brand some of them are coming with built in inverter integrations like victron. Good price/performance ratio.
SOK: Very good reputation but are more of a vanilla brand at this point does what it supposed to.
Aolithium (but they only have 100ah) Similar to SOK, good brand uses JBD bms reliable and most aggreively pirced premium brand.
Sun Fun Kits: Offers kits that you can build to save a few $ but also prebuilt. More pricey than the others but has some unique features like being able to turn on heater when idle and an active balancer in a compact case. Assembled in the US.
Voltgo: Looks to be very rugged battery almost like a panasonic toughbook type construction. Pricey but well built.
Brands that are not for me (not getting into details but I have seen enough to avoid):
Waize / LiTime-Ampere Time / Chins / Vestwoods / PowerQueen / Time USB / Enjoy Bot / Varter / Bigbattery & sister company BatteryEVO
Budget brands that show promise but I would be cautious:
Redodo / Golden Mate
Legacy Brands that have lowered pricing and are still good but priced as aggressively as some of the new legit boys
MillerTech / Ionic
Legacy Brands that are no longer price competitive:
Battleborn / Dakota Lithium / Relion / Kilovault / K2O
Money is No Object, the Best of the Best:
Lithionics / Victron Batteries with Victron BMS & Victron Eco System
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Thank you. Awesome compilation! Ironically I had cautiously looked at the Li-time 300 amp. Rethinking now
Where did you buy your cells?
Littiokala
From this junk store that several years ago was recommended. Cells have worked well but there are better for less $$ these days. I have not kept up very well on the latest.
Maybe something like these if spending money today:
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/1pcs-EVE-304AH-with-New-Terminals_1600886129115.html.
I have 16 cells made into two 12v batteries using two Overkill BMS.
https://overkillsolar.com/product/4s-bms-120a-lifepo4-threaded/.
Lots of different and equally great combinations to assemble a new battery.
just out of curiousity,,, if each cell is 3.2 volts, and you have 8 cells per 12v battery, do you have different cells?
Any takes on SOK vs SFK 280/300? They seem to be the only ones available right now
seneysolar
Solar Enthusiast
Which type/chemistry are you thinking?
Looks like you are thinking LFP?
If switching to Lithium, you will need to check compatibility with the rest of the camper. Current solar components? On board charger?
Sam Cho TX
Solar Enthusiast
The SOK is a great deal for a heated battery as its only $1000 shipped from there site and has heating, just not good if you are using it on a boat because its metal: https://www.us.sokbattery.com/product-page/12v-280ah-lithium-battery-built-in-heater-and-bluetooth
The SFK is smaller in size and I usually tell people to get the kits and save $ but recently hardly any difference in kits and pre-built as the coupons only work on pre-built.
Looks like they have some reviews of the 275EX out:
I like it but now the pricing on the kits make no sense as they are only $75.00 less with coupons so I'm hoping they don't start doing this and lower the price of the kits.
I think love your rv is reviewing the 300 but his is going to be a multipart:
A guy near me has 8 sok sever rack batteries and 4 of the 206 in his camper and he says he loves them. I have 2 of the SFK 3.5 kits and I love them as well so both are good brands.
In the end if you are going to use victron or need some of the advanced features go with SFK but if you just need a good reliable and want to save $ one then go with the SOK.
On a side note I don't recommend any of the el cheapo stuff like Wieze or Chins, I tell you these batteries after a year or two never charge higher than like 12.9v because they have become so out of balance.
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