Kepworth 12v 300Ah "mini" $550 (15.1x7.5x9.6 or 385x190x245mm)

[Fredrik]

Hi guys!

My first post here, so I guess I should give some background. I have no experience with solar but are on a steep learning curve. Will build an easy, small footprint, preferably lightweight solar system for my soon to be camper van. Actually I did not find Will's YouTube channel or this forum until yesterday, and it has been gold already, so thanks for that!

However, I am about to pull the trigger on some batteries when I stumbled across this one. It is sold at eBay/Amazon etc and I think that it could be a pretty new version, since I can not find that much information about it on the interwebz. Only found one review at Amazon, and that someone here on the forum bought one a couple of weeks ago (but no more info than that).

It is supposed to be 300Ah, 200A BMS, high and low cold temperature protected and weighs 26.6kg. It is really perfect for me spec-wise, but it also sounds a bit to good to be true? Unfortunately I do not really have a rig to test it, or the economy to buy one just to rip it open.

What do you think about it? All input is appreciated!

Some pictures and specs:

Capacity 300Ah
Battery Material Lithium Iron Phosphate(LiFePO4) battery
Nominal voltage 12.8V
Rated voltage 12V
Max Protection Voltage 14.6V
End Voltage 10V
Instantaneous discharge current ≥600A Continuous discharge current ≥300A
Size 385*190*245mm
Weight 26.6KG
Certificate CE ROHS MSDS UN38.3
Upgrade Parts/Accessories Grade A Voltage Protection Board(BMS) Yes
Cycles Life 4000 Cycles-100% 6000 Cycles-70%
Max Charge Current 1C
Workingtemperature -20 ~ 60 ℃
Charge temperature 0-45℃
Warranty 3years

And a link to Kepworth's website:

Top Selling Kepworth 12V 300Ah LiFePO4 Battery Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Built-in BMS For RV Campers Golf Trolling Motor Tax Free - KEPWORTH

US DE STOCK 12V 300Ah LiFePO4 Battery Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Built-in BMS For RV Campers Golf Trolling Motor Tax Free KEPWORTH 12.8V 300Ah Lithium iron phosphate battery features: the dimension of 12.8V 300Ah battery is: L15.16*W7.5*H9.65 inch, the max continuous discharging current is...

www.kepworth.com

 

[meetyg]

You mentioned it weighs 6.6kg, is that a typo? Because the specs mention 26.6kg, which makes more sense.

 

[Fredrik]

You mentioned it weighs 6.6kg, is that a typo? Because the specs mention 26.6kg, which makes more sense.

Sorry, yes, that is just a typo. 26.6kg is correct.

 

[Andrewr05]

This EcoWorthy 12V 260Ah is only $408 on eBay with coupon and while it isn't a top tier brand at least it's a known brand.

 

[Fredrik]

This EcoWorthy 12V 260Ah is only $408 on eBay with coupon and while it isn't a top tier brand at least it's a known brand.

Unfortunately I can not buy it that cheap since I am not US based. I would also prefer built in cold charge cut-off. The form factor is kind of nice in a camper van too.

 

[Andrewr05]

Unfortunately I can not buy it that cheap since I am not US based. I would also prefer built in cold charge cut-off. The form factor is kind of nice in a camper van too.

Sorry, I had assumed the deal was international.

They also have some "pro" models that I believe have low temperature cut off.

 

[Solar Guppy]

I think it's false advertising ( scam? ), the smallest 12V 100Ah batteries are 6.61"D x 10.24"W x 8.46"H using pouch cells, so for a 50% increase in case length, it is not possible to be a real 300Ah battery. On the above link, ther 200 Ah option is 20" in length

 

[Fredrik]

I think it's false advertising ( scam? ), the smallest 12V 100Ah batteries are 6.61"D x 10.24"W x 8.46"H using pouch cells, so for a 50% increase in case length, it is not possible to be a real 300Ah battery. On the above link, ther 200 Ah option is 20" in length

Your are probably right. I thought so too. I hope the guy here at the forum that bought one has some input. I have asked him, he should have received it by now.

 

[Solar Guppy]

Your are probably right. I thought so too. I hope the guy here at the forum that bought one has some input. I have asked him, he should have received it by now.

That assumes the member has the equipment to test a 300Ah battery, which would not be a typically buyer. If you do find out, follow up for others to read.

 

[JeromeS13]

The overall dimensions are very similar to the Epoch 300AH (which also has integrated heating pads).

12V 300Ah Heated & Bluetooth LiFePO4 Battery - Epoch Essentials

Get the 12V 300Ah heated & Bluetooth LiFePO4 battery from Epoch Essentials. Charge in sub-zero conditions, control with iOS and Android apps, and enjoy the benefits of smart battery management. 4,000+ cycles, 11-year warranty.

www.epochbatteries.com

 

[Fredrik]

That assumes the member has the equipment to test a 300Ah battery, which would not be a typically buyer. If you do find out, follow up for others to read.

Sure, will do! What would I need to properly test it without opening it?

The overall dimensions are very similar to the Epoch 300AH (which also has integrated heating pads).

12V 300Ah Heated & Bluetooth LiFePO4 Battery - Epoch Essentials

Get the 12V 300Ah heated & Bluetooth LiFePO4 battery from Epoch Essentials. Charge in sub-zero conditions, control with iOS and Android apps, and enjoy the benefits of smart battery management. 4,000+ cycles, 11-year warranty.

www.epochbatteries.com

Nice find, that seems right. Maybe the form factor is not that magic then. Since it is listed at kepworth's website it feels like there is at least some kind of chance that it isn't a scam. But of course the battery could be useless nevertheless.

Do you guys have any questions that I should ask the supplier? I'm still curious about it, but do not feel that I have the right knowledge to ask the right questions.

 

[Q-Dog]

The text on that ad under "Advantages" mentions Battle Born a few times, as though the text was copied directly from Battle Born. WTF?

 

[Brucey]

That assumes the member has the equipment to test a 300Ah battery, which would not be a typically buyer. If you do find out, follow up for others to read.

If he has a smart shunt it could be used as a rough capacity indicator.

 

[FLD]

I bought the Kepworth 300ah battery on Amazon. Received it last Wednesday and so far it's been as advertised.
If I remember right (hey, I'm super old and I killed way too many brains cells when I was younger), the voltage was 13.24 out of the box.
I completed the charge and at a discharge rate of 75 amps I ran it down to my inverter-charger's low voltage disconnect (not the battery's lvd). My state of charge meter showed 305 amp hours. Charging to 100% at 60 amps took 305.5 amp hours
An other discharge-charge cycle with discharge rates varying between 75 amps and 300 amps (yes, it carried a 300-amp load for 30 seconds) didn't show anything unexpected. Again, my soc meter displayed 305 amp hours out and 305 back in.
I connected the Kepworth to my older Pionergy 300ah battery a few days ago. This afternoon I put a 120-amp load on the batteries. I wasn't keeping track of the time but I sat in the basement and watched the movie "Toward The Unknown" on my desktop computer while my "load" (a space heater) kept my feet warm.
My equipment consists of a 500-amp shunt/soc meter, my 12-volt 3000/9000 watt inverter-charger, 2/0 copper cabling and a clamp volt-amp meter.
Let me know if I can provide any other information.

 

[Texas-Mark]

I ran it down to my inverter-charger's low voltage disconnect (not the battery's lvd). My state of charge meter showed 305 amp hours.

Hmmm.... I'm skeptical because the inverter will typically have a LVD higher than a depleted battery.

 

[FLD]

My inverter-charger's advertised lvd is 11 volts but the voltage at the inverter-charger terminals was 10.8 volts when it turned off.
I'm just an average cranky old guy that likes to play with our camper's batteries and inverter-charger during the winter. There's not much else to do here in Michigan during winter.
My equipment isn't expensive but it's okay for our needs.
I just noticed your forum name. Just out of curiosity, what's the weather like in Texas right now? My arthritis kills me when our temperatures drop to below 50. Even with the mild winter we've had, it's hard to move around.
Edit: I can weigh this thing if anyone wants me to.

 

[Andrewr05]

Hmmm.... I'm skeptical because the inverter will typically have a LVD higher than a depleted battery.

Which just means it likely performs better than advertised, some how.

 

[Texas-Mark]

Which just means it likely performs better than advertised, some how.

And the odds of that for a "budget" battery?

 

[Texas-Mark]

I just noticed your forum name. Just out of curiosity, what's the weather like in Texas right now?

39 at night 75 during the day. Cloudy one day, clear the next.

 

[FLD]

And the odds of that for a "budget" battery?

The odds are anyone's guess, as is the expected lifespan. This was definitely a budget battery but I'm okay with however it turns out.
Thanks for telling me the high temps are in the 70's. I'm envious. Ongoing health issues keep me real close to home. Otherwise we'd be visiting places that are warm and (sometimes) sunny.
I should probably weigh this battery to see if it's the advertised weight. My big project for tomorrow.

 

[Brucey]

And the odds of that for a "budget" battery?

Well even the Redodo/LiTime/powerqueens tend to test out at 104-105Ah so not unheard of.

 

[FLD]

Interesting things about the manual that came with this battery; there isn't a 300ah battery listed in the manual. There's a 320ah battery though.
Page 27 shows the 320ah battery as having a 200-amp bms but page 34 says the 320ah battery has a max continuous discharge current of 320 amps and 640 amp 5-second discharge current.

I might increase the load today and see what happens.

 

[henrys]

Would really love to see a tear-down review of this one.

 

[FLD]

If only I had the nerve to do that.
I ran it pretty hard yesterday, with a 307-amp load for 60 seconds, a ten minute recovery period and a 430+ load for 5-6 seconds at which time the bms shut down.
I followed the instructions in the manual; disconnect all loads and let the battery rest for 30 minutes. Somewhere around 20 minutes later it came back to life all by itself.
I charged it to 14.4 volts and to a 6-amp tail current. Just for fun I slowly increased the charging voltage to check the high voltage cutoff and the bms cut off at 15.0.
So I'm assuming there's a bms inside.
Like the prize inside a box of crackerjacks.
I looked on Amazon to see what specs were listed and it shows this battery as being currently unavailabe. But they have a 400ah battery. Holy electrons, Batman.
I didn't check for the Kepworth website advertised low and high temperature sensors.

 

[FLD]

I noticed that Amazon showed "unavailable" for this battery when I looked it up. Has anyone else here bought one?
I can't find anything negative to say about it but I'm not anything close to being knowledgeable about lifepo4 batteries.
I'd like to see the innards but I'm too chicken to open it up.