Lithium LifePo4 12v Batteries - Time For An Upgrade?

@Mike23864 & @T6ChrisO

Yes thats correct. . .

you can run for double the run time with Lithium vs SLA (AGM/EFB etc)

this is due to you only being able to use the top 50% of the capacity of SLA batteries.


with lithium you can use 100% of the capacity is you wish.

++++++++

another benefit is that lithium has a much better/higher/stronger voltage - which makes your 12v system run more efficient.

also

you can run higher power loads with next to no voltage drop or sag under higher loads - which is better than SLA.


+++++++++

the only thing you need is to swap out the battery AGM for Lithium (with integrated BMS)

check the cables and fuses are all good.

then make sure the charger DC-DC/SOLAR/EHU has a suitable lithium charge profile - (most modern chargers from about 5years ago will have this)
Thanks @Dellmassive and @Long tall John . Looks like another thing to add to my ever growing list of (not really needed) upgrades ;)
 
My agm is looking on its last legs now, that renogy 100Ah is looking tempting.
I wonder if its overkill as I only run a domestic compressor cool box and charge phones ,still I guess more is better .
 
I've just ordered the new Renogy 100Ah with built in BT (and new sleep mode)


keep an eye out for the test and review.



...




12V 100AH LITHIUM IRON PHOSPHATE BATTERY W/ BLUETOOTH​

SKU: RBT100LFP12-BT-UK

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and if you want a discount . . . . .



I can get you a discount at Renogy United Kingdom



+++
 
I've just ordered the new Renogy 100Ah with built in BT (and new sleep mode)


keep an eye out for the test and review.



...




12V 100AH LITHIUM IRON PHOSPHATE BATTERY W/ BLUETOOTH​

SKU: RBT100LFP12-BT-UK

View attachment 147008

View attachment 147009

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and if you want a discount . . . . .



I can get you a discount at Renogy United Kingdom



+++


Curious to know what you do with all these batteries?
 
Curious to know what you do with all these batteries?
fit and test them in the van . . ( run mains inverters for charging tool batteries for work) - Work van Wednesday

run them in the mobile battery boxes . . . . - 12v Lithium Leisure Battery Box 138Ah 1766Wh -- How I Done It --

run the solar shed - Solar Sheds & Other Non-t6 Solar Projects - How We Done It -

and

run the Solar powered Disco Tent. - T6F Summer Camp 22 - (22-24th July 2022)


+++++++++


I've now sold all my Green Valence Lithiums and have moved over to Lifepo4`s with full BMS features. - Valence U27-12XP Lifepo4 Lithium Battery -- How We Done It --



there is a very strong market for 2nd hand Lifepo4 12v batterys as they age very well and will last ages if looked after. - For Sale - Renogy 12V 100Ah SMART LiFePO4 Lithium Iron Battery RBT100LFP12S

but im keeping the:

2x renogy 100ah

2x poweroad 100ah

1x roamer 230ah

plus the new one above


++++++++++


+++++++++
 
Renogy battery BMS FW update tool . . .


use this Renogy USB-485 cable - https://amzn.to/3peq5hl


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Please follow these steps in updating the firmware of your Smart Lithium battery:

1. You will be needing the RS485 to USB Serial Cable to complete the upgrade. You can find the item here: RS485 to USB Serial Cable

2. Please download the installer attached to this email. Please note that I've attached both 32bit and 64bit installers however you will only need to download the installer compatible with your PC. Also, this installer is only compatible to download on a WINDOWS PC. Unfortunately, we do not have an installer at the moment that is compatible with Apple Mac.

3. Follow the instructions on this manual: https://store-fhnch.mybigcommerce.com/content/RSCB1.8M24/SCB-Manual.pdf











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previous V0.1.4 version.






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- New Product - (2022)

Renogy - 12V 100AH LITHIUM IRON PHOSPHATE BATTERY W/ BLUETOOTH
SKU: RBT100LFP12-BT-UK

its just arrived . . . .




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DESCRIPTION
【Uncompromising Quality】 State-of-the-art battery cells ensure a lifespan of more than 2000 cycles, 100A continuous discharge current, and a wide operating temperature range.
【Easy Upgrades】 Upgrades to lithium seamlessly with the standard BCI group size but a greater energy density, a deeper discharge capability, a higher round-trip efficiency, and a faster charging speed.
【Reliable BMS System】 The state-of-the-art battery management system (BMS) with high-performance dual-processors provides short circuit, over charging and over-temperature protection while maintaining a balanced voltage across all cells.
【Low Temperature Protection Function】 The lithium battery has low temperature charging and discharging protection function. When the temperature is below 0℃, it will stop charging. When the temperature is below -20℃, it will stop discharging.
【Auto-balancing Function】 Easily connect multiple batteries in parallel with the auto-balancing function, improving the average charging efficiency for your batteries in the long term.
【Real-time monitor】 Monitors the battery operation status on mobile devices in real time with the built-in Bluetooth module.




so . . . what this one about?

well the stats say:

100Ah Capacity
100A max discharge ( -20~60°C )
Low Temp protection ( yes - 0-5DegC)
50A max charge ( 0~55°C )
its IP65 water resistant,
2000-8000 charge cycles
integrated BT,
intergrated BMS
SLEEP MODE after 24hrs
Lithium Iron Phosphate (lifepo4) chemistry,




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bolt size and pitch: Bolts (M8x1.25x20mm)

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user guide - https://store-nkm2yhe9h8.mybigcommerce.com/content/files/Manuals/RBT100LFP12-BT manualV1.1.pdf


++

SLEEP MODE:

Activating Battery The battery is shipped in shelf mode. Before using the battery for the first time, please activate the battery with a charge/discharge current greater than 1A and measure the terminal voltage to validate. Prior to long periods of storage, please disconnect the battery from the system. The battery will enter shelf mode automatically after 24 hours. In shelf mode, the battery has a low self-discharge rate and can hold the charge for a longer period of time.


+++


Charging:

During the standard charging process, the battery is first charged at a constant current of 30A
until the battery voltage reaches 14.4V. Then, the battery is charged at a constant voltage of 14.4V while tapering the charge current. The standard charging process is considered complete when the charge current is less than 5A. However, leaving the battery on float will continue to balance the battery cells and will not damage the battery. The standard charging process normally takes 3.5 hours. Safe charging requires battery temperatures between 32°F and 131°F (0°C and 55°C).



+++

low temp protection:

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+++

Other Notes:

● If the battery voltage is 0V, the internal fuses may have blown due to severe over-current. Please contact us for assistance.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++

So, thats the official word . . . Heres mine.

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it comes very well packaged as the Renogy kit normally does . .

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included are manual, stickers, warrenty card, second set of longer bolts plus terminal covers . . . plus a detachable carry handle.

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out of the box . . . the first impressions are ITS BIG !!! and very LIGHT.

normally with the light battery's you get the pouch cells - like the POWEROAD. (instead of the heavier 18650 cells or CALB style cells)


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have a look at the compairson on size between the other Renogy SMART and POWEROAD 100Ah Lifepo4 batterys. . .



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not sure why on the size . . . . maybe to fit the USA standard Group battery size thing? - duno.

but it hasnt got the boltdown lower lip anyway?

....

moving on . . .

out the box the battery was showing 13.17V. . . . which i thouhght was odd. . .

as the battery should have been sleeping by now - during shipping ( < 1A / over 24hr = sleep mode )

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so . . . ill have to test further. . .

when the POWEROAD goes to sleep the voltage drops to 8v or so . . . (monitoring voltage)

The other Renogy SMART battery has a manual SLEEP button that needs to be pressed (but who needs to SLEEP there battery anyway? in the UK we dont normally store the vans for long periods)






end.

cont - part2
 
Last edited:
- New Product - (2022)

Renogy - 12V 100AH LITHIUM IRON PHOSPHATE BATTERY W/ BLUETOOTH
SKU: RBT100LFP12-BT-UK

part- 2


connecting to the Renogy DC HOME APP . . .

we can see the battery shipped with 35% SoC . .

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++

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+++




connecting a Renogy 30A charge we can see 18A charge rate as the battery starts to charge. . . (default Lion profile @ 14.2v)



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tweeking the Victron charger in the expert settings to 14.8v. . . .

we get the battery taking in the full 30A the charger can deliver . . . . . (just for testing purposes . . 14.6v is Renogy recommended 14.8v max IP Voltage)


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.

I've also connected up a BM2 unit so we can monitor the voltage at the SLEEP point . . . to see what happens . . .

"E9E7 Test 2" is the BM2 connected to the battery - veiwed with the BM3 APP, that will monitor 4x BM2 devices simultaneously.




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Testing TBC -

new data to be added below.



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end.
 
Last edited:
- New Product - (2022)

Renogy - 12V 100AH LITHIUM IRON PHOSPHATE BATTERY W/ BLUETOOTH
SKU: RBT100LFP12-BT-UK

part- 3




this looks interesting and a bit different the other batterys i have. . .

the battery has been running for 48hrs . . . waiting for it to sleep . . .

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but ther terminal voltage has stayed constant . . . at about 13.3v.

so i hasnt shut off the power like the POWEROAD does. . . .

it keeps the power ON like the Renogy SMART.

BUT what i did notice is that after about 24hrs . . . the BT shut off.

The APP couldnt connect to the battery . . . .

and the BT signal wasnt being broadcast.

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giving the battery a quick blip and drawing 1.4A for a second seemed to wake up the BT.

Then the battery appeared on the APP again . . .

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So it looks like shelf mode/sleep mode:

shuts down the power draw from the BT module. . .

but keeps the BMS awake / low power mode.

But KEEPS the 12v power at the terminals. - thats good, i like that.

One thing that i didnt like about the POWEROAD lifepo4 (subzero) was that when it went to sleep it dropped to power from the terminals, just holding a 5/8v monitoring voltage, this had the effect of shutting down all the monitors like the Victron BMV712 and BM2 units that then messed up all the SOC and logging.

.............


So what is the sleep protecting the battery from then? - BT power drain i suppoose.


+++++++++++++++

next up lets see what the battery BMS can measure,

we know it want >1A to wake up. . . . but what about the bottom end?

can i read low power draws?

connecting up the tester . . .

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.

setting at 2.0A . . .

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it reads that fine @ 2.19A

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dropping to 1.0A . . .

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again it reads fine . .

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dropping down to 0.36A we loose it. . .

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the battery BMS hasnt got the ability to register that low.

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going back up a bit we get the reading . . . it can register 0.5A ( 500mA)

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seen as . .

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...

pushing up the scale we have no issues . . . 14.2A here

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.

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..

id imagine the top end will be 100A +/- some.



I've also contacted Renogy to ask for more info on the Shelf Mode feature.

But for now, its all inline with most battery's in the 100Ah range.

but this one doesn't shut off the power.

and it wont meter out power draws under 500mA.







test data

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My Renogy battery was delivered on Wednesday.
I was quite surprised at the size - it was bigger than I expected. I didn't go back and look at the dimensions but I hope I don't have a problem fitting it and the (much larger than the existing CTek) charger under the seat, and most importantly not having to relocate my amplifier.
 
My Renogy battery was delivered on Wednesday.
I was quite surprised at the size - it was bigger than I expected. I didn't go back and look at the dimensions but I hope I don't have a problem fitting it and the (much larger than the existing CTek) charger under the seat, and most importantly not having to relocate my amplifier.
Was it larger than advertised ? I also have one on the way .
It had better fit under the driver seat .
 
RBT100LFP12-BT-UK - size


just measured mine.


33 x 17 x 23 cm


++++

so sized as advertised . . . but I've measure to top of bolts, there they measured to top of case.




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+


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RBT100LFP12-BT-UK - size


just measured mine.


33 x 17 x 23 cm


++++

so sized as advertised . . . but I've measure to top of bolts, there they measured to top of case.




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Good to know thanks you @Dellmassive , very much tempted to buy one of these, going to measure up later to see if it will fit as it's 40mm taller than my existing battery.
 
The SMART version is a bit smaller in physical case size. . . but same 100Ah capacity. ( just add the BT-2 BT device for the APP monitoring)

.


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My Renogy battery was delivered on Wednesday.
I was quite surprised at the size - it was bigger than I expected. I didn't go back and look at the dimensions but I hope I don't have a problem fitting it and the (much larger than the existing CTek) charger under the seat, and most importantly not having to relocate my amplifier.
Let me know how you get on
 
But for now, its all inline with most battery's in the 100Ah range.

but this one doesn't shut off the power.

and it wont meter out power draws under 500mA.
From what you are seeing this battery would supply a continuous 100mA load OK (eg a tracker) even in sleep mode but the BMS will never see it?
 
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