Lithion Batteries other brands

[NoResults]

I see only comments about Battle Born, what about Aims, Lithionics, etc.


Are there others that any on this forum are using.


I am in no great hurry just want a decent price. Don't see any sales.


Dave

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The main reason a lot of seem to have latched on to BB is that they targeted the "drop in" market a while ago. In terms of this market that translates to a couple years rather than a couple decades.

Delivered prices all seem to hover around the same general area for "built in BMS" batteries. You can do better buying and sorting cells to match up with an external BMS. To me the cost savings aren't enough to make the risks worth it.

Indeed there have been a couple outfits that sort of popped up / sold some / had issues / issued a recall / disappeared. I think that is what had a lot of us waiting to see somebody last more than a year before we went with them.

At least for me, "onshore" assembly / support for the warranty was a big deal. If you are looking for the lowest possible price, that's one thing you can give up to save a bit.

Bob

[rickst29]

AIMS and Battle Born are both located in my town (Reno-Sparks, NV).

AIMS has a large warehouse and a smaller store, but no manufacturing. Most products are designed here, but batteries (complete assemblies) are made in China. A bit strangely, AIMS declares "DUE TO THE STRICT RULES OF THE US DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION, WE DO NOT ACCEPT RETURNS ON THIS PRODUCT". I would not (and did not )buy from AIMS, for that reason. There are specifications and a warranty against "manufacturing defects", but I don't understand how it could possibly be invoked. Even locally, if I hand-carried an 70%-discharged battery back to their warehouse (I asked in person, at the warehouse) - they said that they would NOT take it back and exchange it. This feels unprofessional and wrong: Even though regulations fail to properly distinguish LiFePO4 batteries from other, explosion-prone Li-ion battery types, these batteries can be sent via FEDEX or UPS Ground Service at that low SOC, with no special permit. (With a permit, they can be sent on airplanes too - that's how sellers ship these batteries to Hawaii).

In contrast: Battle Born ( has an actual assembly line (probably using China-built cells.) AKA Dragonfly - same assembly line, same batteries, but also sold through distributors under the 'Dragonfly' name and label). In warranty claims, they WANT to receive your "failed" battery, direct or through your selling vendor, and make it right. Between these two, I would personally choose to pay extra money for Battle Born. Battle Born sells 'em direct: https://battlebornbatteries.com/shop...cycle-battery/

Trojan should be considered. Their relatively new "Trillium" batteries cost more than Battleborn: Less AH for slightly more money, or more AH for considerably more money. But their batteries include a shut-off switch, and also an LCD status display. Their BMS also seems superior, allowing higher charging Voltage (14.4-14.8V is considered "optimal" in their literature). They provide the best user information manual, including a table which specified maximum charge current values at low temperatures.


But their BMS does not use a temp Sensor to limit current under those conditions, you have to manage that issue externally by yourself (see Relion, below). Here's a seller of both sizes, although they probably don't have the batteries in stock (link goes to the larger, more expensive one): https://www.thesolarbiz.com/trojan-t...-8v-110ah.html

Relion LiFePO4 batteries cost more. They have USA manufacturing/assembly facilities and I think that the batteries are assembled in USA. (But Relion also has presence in the EU and Asia, so I'm not sure.) One of their batteries is much more expensive ($1350 as I write this, for only 100AH), but includes a great and unique feature (which even the Trojan "Trillium" batteries don't have): It contains a temp Sensor with cell heaters. If offered a charge current at extremely low temperatures, the BMS uses the heater units first - raising cell temperatures to 5C, before offering charge current into the cells. I'm referring to this one, https://www.solar-electric.com/relio...ttery-12v.html.

There are a few other "small" outfits in the USA, but I don't know anything about them.

I bought none of these - I went direct to China (on Alibaba). For a lot less money, I bought a battery which is comparable to the AIMS (the worst of these), but with larger capacity. However, I had several nervous weeks while I waited for the battery to actually be built, clear customs in both Countries, and arrive at my doorstep. (New USA tariffs also took effect during the shipment process, and I didn't know who would pay them until the package actually arrived - fully paid by the shipper).

It turned out OK. But I know more now, and if I were doing it today I would probably spend MUCH MORE money to buy either Trojan or Relion. They're smaller AH, but much nicer, and you enjoy a USA-based warranty.

[fran&frank]

I used a lithium battery from Lithionics in my install. You can see my install here: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...de-163971.html
I went with Lithionics because it was less than Victron batteries and at that time Battlerborn didn't have much of a track record yet and Lithionics was very helpful. I also liked the idea of a single battery rather that wiring several batteries in parallel. The rest of my equipment is Victron. I am very happy with my setup.--Frank