12v Lithium Batteries for Beginners
The lithium batteries below are considered "Drop-in Lead Acid Replacement" because you can use them with standard 12 volt solar charge controllers/chargers/inverters and more. Simply hook them up to your system in the same way you would a typical lead acid battery.
These lithium batteries out perform lead acid in every regard (even price!) and once you buy one, you will never go back.
These lithium batteries out perform lead acid in every regard (even price!) and once you buy one, you will never go back.
$950
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Battle Born 12 volt 100 amp hour
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Currently my favorite drop-in lead acid replacement. I have tested every battery on the market and this is a solid choice (I have used 2 in my main system for 6 months). If you want something that works great for years, buy this battery. I have not heard of a dissatisfied battle born battery buyer (not the case with most of these drop-in replacements).
These are safe to parallel connect in chains (to increase capacity of your system) with standard battery cables. If you plan to power large loads, you will need multiple batteries (for each 1000 watts required, use 1 battery. Example: 4500 watt load will require 5 batteries wired in parallel). The ideal charge profile for the battle born is the same as a 12 volt "sealed lead acid". If you have this option on your solar charge controller, select it. Click Here to buy it directly from Battle Born Click Here to buy it on Amazon.com If you plan to use the battle born in freezing temperatures, there is an optional 12v heater pad. Click here |
$799(with my coupon code: mobilesolar)
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Lion Safari UT 12 volt 80 amp hour Battery
Has all the safety features of a Battle Born, but at a reduced capacity. So for the capacity, it is the same cost as the battleborn. This battery does weigh 10 pounds less than the battle born though, and it has a lifetime warranty (only covers first 3500 charge cycles), and can be series connected up to 48 volts. It has a battery capacity meter on the housing. Press a tiny button and know the state of charge instantly.
MSRP is $999, so be sure to use my coupon code at checkout for $200 off each battery: "mobilesolar" Click Here to buy it directly from Lion Energy |
$899
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Renogy 100ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
These batteries are safe to store in your vehicles living area and do not require ventilation (but allow them to dissipate heat if possible for large discharge situations). These are safe to parallel connect in chains (to increase capacity of your system) with standard battery cables. If you plan to power large loads, you will need multiple batteries (for each 1000 watts required, use 1 battery. Example: 4500 watt load will require 5 batteries wired in parallel). 50 amp hour Renogy Lithium Battery Click Here 100 amp hour Renogy Lithium Battery Click Here 170 amp hour Renogy Lithium Battery Click Here |
Budget Friendly 12v 100ah LiFePO4 by Ruixu
$513 - $713
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This is an impressive battery at an amazing price, but it does not have low temp cut off!! (other batteries above do). So you will need to buy a victron controller and a smart battery sense if you want low temp cut off (available here). If you are in a tropical environment, you will not need to worry about low temp cut off, and these batteries are a great option.
I was fearful that this cheap battery would not perform well, but after getting my hands on one and doing a capacity test (results were .02 kWh more than a battle born!), I was impressed. It also has a 3 year warranty and works with standard 12v equipment. It is pretty much a clone of the battle born, but lacks low temp cut off!
These are safe to parallel connect in chains (to increase capacity of your system) with standard battery cables. If you plan to power large loads, you will need multiple batteries (for each 1000 watts required, use 1 battery. Example: 4500 watt load will require 5 batteries wired in parallel). 100 amp hour Ruixu Lithium Battery Click Here 200 amp hour Ruixu Lithium Battery Click Here |
24 volt Lithium Batteries
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Battle Born 24 volt 50 amp hour
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
These are safe to parallel connect in chains (to increase capacity of your system) with standard battery cables. If you plan to power large loads, you will need multiple batteries (for each 1000 watts required, use 1 battery. Example: 4500 watt load will require 5 batteries wired in parallel). The ideal charge profile for the battle born is the same as a 12 volt "sealed lead acid". If you have this option on your solar charge controller, select it. Click Here to buy it directly from Battle Born |
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Ruixu 24v 100ah LiFePO4 Battery Budget friendly option, but it does not have low temperature protection!! If you wish to use any Ruixu Battery, you will need to build your own low temp cut off system with a victron solar charge controller combined with a "smart battery sense". (click here to learn more about low temp cut off)
These are safe to parallel connect in chains (to increase capacity of your system) with standard battery cables. 24v 100amp hour RUIXU Lithium Battery Click Here |