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Lithium Solar Batteries for Beginners


The lithium batteries below are considered "Drop-in Lead Acid Replacement" because you can use them with standard 12/24/48 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.
They are also safer than lead acid (multiple protection features and non-combustible) and last 4-8X longer! Once you go lithium, you will never go back! The best lithium-ion battery chemistry for solar is LiFePO4 due to its safety and price.

Best value LiFePO4 12V Battery: SOK Battery

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This battery has the components of a $1000+ LiFePO4, at a fraction of the price. I have not found a better battery w/ warranty for the price of the SOK. Check out these stats:
  • Can be connected for use in 12V/24V/48V systems. Most budget batteries do not have this ability!
  • Can be serviced. If one of the cells fails in ten years, you can swap it out for a new one. If the bms fails, you can swap it out in minutes. 
  • 7 year warranty
  • Large durable terminals
  • Steel case
  • Low temperature charging protection

And it is well engineered! It is a tank of a battery, and can handle abuse for years. 
And the SOK has been cycle tested. Here is the life cycle curve where it is cycled 3500 times! Check it out:
sok_battery_sk12v100-0915_life_cycle_curve.pdf
File Size: 266 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

​​And the SOK is a fraction of the price of other 12V LiFePO4 batteries! Purchase it here from a USA warehouse with warranty and customer support:

12V 100Ah SOK Battery Click Here
​
$.44 per Wh
​
12V 206Ah SOK Battery Click Here

$.39 per Wh

24V 100Ah SOK Battery Click Here
$.39 per Wh



Second Distributor if links above are out of stock:
100Ah SOK Click Here
206Ah SOK Click Here


European SOK Warehouse:
Click Here to Purchase


​Note: Frequently out of stock due to high demand.


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$570 for 100Ah 12V
​
​$.44 per Wh

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$1029 for 206Ah 12V
$.39 per Wh​​


Marine Environment SOK Battery

If you live near the ocean or plan to build a mobile system that needs to survive a rugged environment, check this pack out. 

Same cells and BMS as the classic SOK that everyone loves, but encased with a water resistant case. 

Over the years I have said that the original SOK might not be the best idea for high moisture environments because the case is made of steel. If you were to scratch the paint, you may have rust. No longer is this a problem. 

Click here to order


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$1029 For 206Ah 12V
$.39 per wh


Best Budget LiFePO4 battery:
AmpereTime

If the SOK is out of stock, this is the next best budget battery. But it is lacking a basic safety feature: low temp charging protection.

What that means is that these must be mounted indoors or in an insulated box. If you are in the tropics, you are set! As long as the batteries never go below freezing, these work great.

If you were to lower this batteries internal temperature to below freezing, and charged quickly, it will damage itself. So it is crucial to mount these in a warm location!

Besides the low temp charging issue, it is a great battery! I have used them for months in a 48V pack. It is a very well made battery that should last a long time. I have many friends who use these packs without any issue as well. 

12V Models
12V 100Ah Click Here to Purchase 

12V 200Ah Click Here to Purchase 

12V 300Ah Click Here to Purchase 

12V 400Ah Click Here to Purchase


24V Models
24V 100Ah Click Here to Purchase

24V 200Ah Click Here to Purchase

48V Models
48V 100Ah Click Here To Purchase
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​$409 For 100Ah 12V
$.31 Per Wh

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​$739 For 200Ah 12V
$.26 Per Wh


Server Rack LiFePO4 Batteries:
Large and Budget Friendly!
(for a complete list of server rack options, click here)


Best Quality and Customer Support:
​SOK Server Rack LiFePO4 by Current Connected

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$.33 per Wh
​
Click Here to Order the SOK Server Rack Battery

This is the only server rack battery that is user servicable. You can take this entire battery apart down to the cells in about 20 minutes. It has a stronger build quality than other server rack batteries, and the best customer support around. 
​
  • 48 Volt (51.2 Nominal) 100Ah, 5.12 kWh
  • 20 Year Typical Lifespan & 10 Year Warranty
  • Cells rated for 80% Capacity after 4000 Cycles, 100% DOD
  • Maintenance Free
  • Built-In Smart Battery Management System (BMS)
  • 5 Temperature sensors, protected from low and high temperatures
  • Pre-Charge Circuit to Prevent BMS Damage
  • Detachable cover, user serviceable BMS and cells
  • RS485 & CANBus communication, works with many inverters. They also include documentation unlike other companies, and cables. 
  • Rack Mountable for quick and easy installation

The SOK has a stronger build quality than the other batteries. It also has a fantastic charge and discharge rating. If you need a solid battery that you can work on for years, this is the pack for you.

Click Here to Purchase the SOK Server Rack Battery

Click Here to Purchase 5X batteries (Free cables and server rack included! Really good deal)
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Budget Friendly:
EG4 Server Rack LiFePO4 by Signature Solar

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$.29 per Wh!

These are fantastic batteries, at a fantastic price. But unfortunatley, they are always out of stock and the customer support team can take a while to respond. The documentation is also lacking.
 
FEATURES: 
  • Flexible Racking Options
  • LiFePo4 16-Cell Pack
  • Environmentally Friendly & Lead Free
  • Scalable. Add batteries as your budget allows.
  • Longer Lasting; 10-20 year Design Life
  • Reliable Built-In BMS, Voltage, Current, Temp. and Health Management
The documentation for this battery is lacking. They have been selling these batteries for years now, and the manual still lacks an official precharge resistor "Startup Procedure", which SOK has. This has cause a lot of trouble and confusion on the forum. 

These batteries have worked great for me. But some people have had issues. The customer support always responds, but it may take a while. 

I highly recommend sticking with the "Pro Model" EG4 if you can. It seems to have less issues. 


Click Here to Purchase Budget 48V/24V/12V Model

Click Here to Purchase Pro 48V/24V/12V Model
​(LCD Screen and Better Warranty)


Long Lasting and Marine Grade
LiFePO4 Batteries:

​Battle Born

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$799 for 100Ah 12V
​
$.62 per Wh

​​​Battle Born 12 volt 100 amp hour
​Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
​

Good battery, but expensive. If you want something that works great for years (or decades), buy this battery. I have not heard of a dissatisfied battle born battery buyer. It just works. 

I would go with the SOK/Ampere time battery above unless I needed a sealed battery, for marine application. The battleborn has the best case and terminals around, and can handle high moisture environments. It is also ideal for high vibration systems, such as RV's and vans. 
​
  • 1200 watt hours total capacity (1280 watt hours usable)
  • WEIGHT 31 LBS
  • SIZE 12.75 x 6.875 x 9 (L x W xH)
  • Lithium Iron Phosphate Chemistry (safest choice for mobile solar power systems)
  • 12 volt Drop-in Lead Acid Replacement (works with any 12v solar charge controller, but be sure to select the "LiFePO4" or "sealed lead acid" charge setting)
  • 100 amp continuous output. 200 amp surge output
  • 3 year full replacement warranty and 5 year prorated
  • 3000-5000 charge cycles (cheaper than lead acid batteries in the long term)
  • Acceptable Charging Voltages: 14.1 to 14.6 volts
  • ​Has high AND low temperature protection 
  • This battery CAN be series connected! Which means you can use it to build 12/24/48 volt systems

If you want this battery to last a long time, keep it in a cool environment. The Battle Born does not require ventilation and it is maintenance free, but having a little air flow in your battery compartment can help keep the temperature down and prolong the life of your 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).


Click Here to buy it directly from Battle Born
$.70 per Wh
​
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

Battle Born GC2

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Same stats as the model above, but this battery can be connected in parallel with bus bars. If you have a large bank and plan to use solid copper bus bars to attach everything, use this one. 

Click here to buy the GC2
​$.81 per Wh

24 volt Battleborn Batteries

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​​​Battle Born 24 volt 50 amp hour
​Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery

​
  • 1200 watt hours total capacity (1200 watt hours usable)
  • WEIGHT 29 LBS
  • SIZE 12.75 x 6.875 x 9 (L x W xH)
  • Lithium Iron Phosphate Chemistry (safest choice for mobile solar power systems)
  • 24 volt Drop-in Lead Acid Replacement (works with any 24v solar charge controller, but be sure to select the "LiFePO4" or "sealed lead acid" charge setting)
  • 100 amp continuous output. 200 amp surge output
  • 10 year warranty
  • 3000-5000 charge cycles (cheaper than lead acid batteries in the long term)
  • Acceptable Charging voltages 28.8 to 29.6 volts
  • ​Has high and low temperature protection 
  • This battery CAN be series connected! Which means you can use it to build 24/48 volt systems​

Click Here to buy it directly from Battle Born​
$.78 per Wh

Or Click Here if the link above is not working

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Prowse Publications LLC (www.mobile-solarpower.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,
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  • Home
  • DIY Solar Blueprints
    • Vehicle Mounted 12v Systems >
      • The Minimalist (great for small vans and cars)
      • The Classic 400 Watt (RV's, Vans, Buses)
      • 400 Watt w/ Alternator Charging
      • The Off Grid King (Power Anything!)
      • Ultra Sized Systems: Run an Air Conditioner
    • All-in-One 12/24/48V Packages
    • 48V Offgrid System Blueprint
    • Code Compliant 48V Offgrid System
    • Design Your Own Raw LiFePO4 System
    • DIY 24v Systems >
      • 2000 watt, 24v Solar System
      • 4000 watt, 24v Solar System
    • Grid-tie Systems
    • Other Packages >
      • Solar Trailer
      • Hand Cart Solar Power System
      • Minimalist on a Budget
      • Ground Mount Solar Array
      • DIY Beginner Friendly Solar Generator
      • 640Wh Milk Crate System
      • 12v Solar without a Battery
      • Pocket Solar Generator
      • Backpacking or Bicycle Tour Solar Package
      • Low Budget Package
      • Suitcase Solar Generator
      • Minivan Solar Power System
  • Solar Batteries
    • Lithium Batteries
    • 48V Server Rack LiFePO4
    • Raw LiFePO4 Cells
    • BMS
    • Sealed Lead Acid Batteries
  • Solar Components
    • 50-250W Solar Panels
    • 300W+ Solar Panels
    • Solar Panel Mounts
    • All-in-One 12/24/48V Packages
    • 48V All-in-one Buyer's Guide
    • Inverters
    • Solar Charge Controllers
    • Battery Chargers
    • Wire and Connectors
    • Fuses and Circuit Breakers
    • Battery Monitors
    • Battery Capacity Testers
    • Automatic Transfer Switches
    • Battery Isolators
    • Tools
    • 12v Fridges
    • Solar Friendly Air Conditioners
  • Plug-N-Play Systems
    • Full Size Systems
    • Ultra Portable Systems
    • How to connect Solar Panels to your Solar Generator
  • DIY Solar Book
  • Videos
    • Electricity for Dummies
    • Solar Power for First Timers
    • General Solar Education Videos
    • DIY LiFePO4 Video Series
    • Solar Wiring Configuration Diagrams
  • The Forum
  • Contact Me
  • Policies and Disclaimers