diy solar

diy solar

Budget 12V 100AH LiFePO4, LiTime vs Power Queen?

BradCagle said:
FWIW I find the exact same components in most of these manufactures.
Click to expand...

Sometimes I think that different brands just slap their label on whatever is available at the time. I've pulled apart four different battery brands and they have all been different. Look at the recent Chins, different insides than from before.
 
Texas-Mark said:
Sometimes I think that different brands just slap their label on whatever is available at the time. I've pulled apart four different battery brands and they have all been different. Look at the recent Chins, different insides than from before.
Click to expand...

I suspect these brands are just that, a brand. Seems there's a single factory that churns all these out, and the brands can choose the models the factory offers to slap their name on, and market it.

Just speculation on my behalf, but there is so much in common from the actual components, the same serial numbering schem, and even websites/marketing material.
 
I
BradCagle said:
I suspect these brands are just that, a brand. Seems there's a single factory that churns all these out, and the brands can choose the models the factory offers to slap their name on, and market it.

Just speculation on my behalf, but there is so much in common from the actual components, the same serial numbering schem, and even websites/marketing material.
Click to expand...
I'm leaning towards agreeing with you. A year or two ago, there was better differentiation on components, but I think they all are using the same contract manufacturer and components at the level I'm interested in.

I've pretty much decided to go with Redodo due to pricing and the innards being no different than the others. Now trying to figure out if I want 2 or 4 batteries.
 
I'm fairly certain there are only a small number of factories that build LiFePo4 batteries. And I would guess that they custom build for each client's specs. And then other clients come along and want to build something similar. It would be a lot cheaper and easier to build something that the factory is already set up for, than to custom build a battery that's just slightly different. It would make sense that many clients would just go the cheaper and faster route and ask the factory to build something that's already been done.
 
BradCagle said:
That's pretty nice. I have not heard from LVGOO yet, maybe I can email them. Thanks
Click to expand...
Awesome! I took it apart and they are Lishen 130Ah cells, which have significantly lower energy density and much higher weight than the typical 100Ah EVE cells. This thing weights 40lbs for 130Ah vs 24lbs for 100Ah. But there are some positives…

I found the cell data-sheets and they can charge at 3C continuous and discharge at 6C continuous (780A) and 12C max (1560A), which is much more than we need in our applications, but nice to have. The BMS is 120A, but I might upgrade it to a 150A or 200A BMS (and internal wires to suit) so I can run a 2000W inverter without issue.

Additionally, after some reading, I’m starting to draw the conclusion that lower energy density likely means larger electrodes (to handle the power) and thus longer cycle life, which would be great if this thing lasts 15-20 years before any significant degradation. We’ll see.
 
Picked up a pair of Redodo 12V 100AH LFP batteries. I happened to check what the current price was on Amazon and besides the $40.00 off, there was a checkbox for another 10% off. It only applied to one battery, but overall it pushed me over the edge to buy today.

Previously I kept going back and forth about buying one of the Bunfloes at $240/each. Would like to see the innards on one of them.
 
Redodo's were delivered last Friday, both with the same open circuit voltage. First one took 50 AH to top up, second is on the charger now.
 
AlpineJoe said:
Redodo's were delivered last Friday, both with the same open circuit voltage. First one took 50 AH to top up, second is on the charger now.
Click to expand...
Second one took 56AH. Now it's time to put them in series and give my Samlex 600W inverter a tryout.
 
Tomthumb62 said:
Do read up on connecting 4x12v batteries in series for 48v. It’s not as simple as set it and forget it. You need to do manual rebalancing (of the batteries, not the cells inside that the BMS will help balance) or buy an external balancing device, but these add expense. It might end up being cheaper and less hassle to simply buy a 100Ah 48v battery, which contains the exact same energy as 4x100Ahx12v. For example, I think CHINS has a 48v 100ah for about $1300, which is the cheapest on the market.

Then if you need a 12v battery for ham radio use, buy a separate battery for that. I mean, it would be a big hassle to dismantle a balanced 4x12v bank, take a battery or two out, use it as 12v, then spend the time to try to get them back into balance with the rest of the pack to make it 48v again. Can be done, but a PITA.
Click to expand...

You brought up a great point Tom, about balancing the 3 or 4 12.8v series modules between themselves? I've been using SLA batteries in series for 36v for eons, but never thought of balancing until now that I'm setting up LifePO4 modules to do the same thing?

Can you recommend any good 12.8v balancers to do this? Also can you recommend GREAT bms' to run series like this? I'm on the hunt, and so far only have JK BMS from Overkill or Alibaba as a lead. I'd like a little more robust control interface of the bms via bluetooth, if that exists?
 
Fish Freak said:
You brought up a great point Tom, about balancing the 3 or 4 12.8v series modules between themselves? I've been using SLA batteries in series for 36v for eons, but never thought of balancing until now that I'm setting up LifePO4 modules to do the same thing?

Can you recommend any good 12.8v balancers to do this? Also can you recommend GREAT bms' to run series like this? I'm on the hunt, and so far only have JK BMS from Overkill or Alibaba as a lead. I'd like a little more robust control interface of the bms via bluetooth, if that exists?
Click to expand...

The balancer devices you’re finding are designed for building your own single lifepo4 battery. Not sure of the exact product name but I believe Victron makes one.
 
Redodo 100AH 12V LiFePO4 down to $229/each today ($269-$40), and even cheaper for a pair. I just picked up another pair for $205/each ($455-10%)
 
As per USPTO Trademark & Patent Filings they are all the same company.

Shenzhen Ampere Time Technology Co., Ltd Trademarks & Logos

uspto.report uspto.report

Power Queen appliquant is AmpereTime.
Section: Trademark Parties (Applicants & Owners)
uspto.report

POWER QUEEN - Shenzhen Ampere Time Technology Co., Ltd. Trademark Registration

Trademark registration by Shenzhen Ampere Time Technology Co., Ltd. for the trademark POWER QUEEN.
uspto.report uspto.report

I cannot tell about the quality between these TM but AmpereTime / LiTime / Power Queen are all the same owner selling under different trade mark.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

bear0214
A Good Mini LiFePO4 100AH?
Replies
1
Views
340
robbob2112
robbob2112
2Big2B
Do I need an Active balancer for two 12.8v 100ah in series?
2
Replies
29
Views
767
pollenface
pollenface
O
Standard vs Mini / prismatic vs pouch
Replies
6
Views
916
BrunoTPM
B
D
12V 100ah LifePO4 for $210 any Good??
Replies
2
Views
1K
dktool
D
BuffaloTrace
DC House 12v 100ah $230 ($210)(11/22-$180)(ebay12/12$149)(ebay2/15$146)free shipping
2
Replies
22
Views
3K
grizzzman
grizzzman
Back
Top