Budget 12V LiFePO4 Battery Showdown! Overpriced Garbage?!

[@WillProwse]

If you want batteries that don't suck, check out my recommendations here! www.mobile-solarpower.com/lithium-batteries.html Batteries in the video (affiliate links): BougeRV: shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=856480&m=99165&u=760144&afftrack= Sokerdy: sokerdy.myshopify.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek Vatrer: amzn.to/47cOvet Lvgoo: www.lvgoobattery.com/?ref=4jiejc6g Bunfloe: amzn.to/49jGyWP *Does off-grid solar confuse you?* Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com *Join our DIY solar community* #1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike: www.diysolarforum.com *Check out my Book* Best-selling and beginner-friendly guide to 12V off-grid solar! amzn.to/2Aj4dX4 If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Energy! They will price out a system and get your house offgrid: ts.la/william57509 *My DIY Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):* 12V/48V Lithium Solar Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html Complete Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html Plug-N-Play System Recommendations: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html Complete "Add to Cart" 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/complete-48v-solar-kits.html DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-friendly-air-conditioners.html *My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:* *Signature Solar* Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek *Current Connected* SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components. Fantastic customer support: currentconnected.com/?ref=wp *Litime* My favorite 12V budget battery!: www.litime.com/?ref=XBIA62RFcalHns *Epoch Batteries* My favorite high-quality 12V battery: www.epochbatteries.com/products/12v-460ah-lifepo4-battery-ip67-heated-bluetooth-victron-comms?rfsn=7352625.50494d *Renogy* A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages! DC to DC Chargers and more! renogy.sjv.io/n1VjXx *Rich Solar* Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price: richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek *Battery Hookup* Cheap cell deals bit.ly/2mIxSqt 5% off code: diysolar *Contact Information:* I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: [e-mail] Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar *FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:* Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :) DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

[@tico4940]

I got the SOK batteries ,4 of the 200s,expensive but you gave great review.

[@brushbum7508]

Thanks Will. I went to the Vatrer site to look at the 200 AH as well. They look good as long as the LOW TEMP shut down works. TAKE CARE..

[@elouiegautane7137]

Because existing circuits are make you hole house burns all hahahahah🤭🤭🤭😆😆😆😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂☢️☢️☢️

[@Sekir80]

Hey Will, a thought here: I know affiliate links give you some cut, but if you say NOT buy those batteries, why put here? I'd recommend remove what you find unfit for use.

[@WillProwse]

Just added time stamps to the video, sorry about that@@controlofsound

[@denisewilson8367]

Thank you for checking these batteries & letting us know what is junk.

[@FoxWolfWorld]

“Sometimes they look really cool on the outside and they’re awful on the inside.” Just like people

[@AJVAN_]

True, yet most people would choose cool on the outside..... rather on the inside

[@DeltaMikeTorrevieja]

I find I get into trouble when it comes to the tear down on people though. Something about taking power tools to people really upsets the judge and jury. Who knew?

[@user-jg6bd7se8u]

Zing!😅

[@jbranche8024]

Not an expert. I believe welds that are not visually appealing but heated to allow proper attachment are okay. May be indication to look at reviews that test performance. The build quality would impact maintenance free lifespan.

[@mguerramd]

I married one of those and she cheated on me…

[@fisherus]

Will, after all these years of watching you grow into the best expert on lithium styled batteries and solar systems from small 12V systems to massive 48V ones, there is no other one who knows solar components and tests them to the depth that you do. I continue to watch your videos just to see the next exciting thing that you come up with. You have helped more people learn how to build a solar system than anyone else in this industry and what you do for the DIYer is has gone far beyond most people's gratitude, including mine.

[@johnh8615]

Best comment ever.💪

[@ddistrbd1]

couldn't agree more, I was (and still am) a total newbie in the world of lifepo4 batteries but I soon learned to trust Will as the only person who can make the concept so simple that even I could follow , he talks simple uses least amount of jorgens, he is the only source of knowledge for many newbies.

[@johnperry5960]

Great review. I love how you go full send on tearing these things apart 😂😂😂😂

[@ARLGD]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I truly appreciate your support. As someone who values quality family time and outdoor adventures, I highly recommend checking out the Segway Portable PowerStation Cube Series. With its massive capacity, powerful output, and super fast recharging, it's the perfect companion for camping trips and home backup power. Plus, its waterproof technology and comprehensive protections ensure durability and reliability. It's definitely a game-changer in the outdoor gear and home backup power market. Happy camping!

[@ARLGD]

Thank you for your kind words! I appreciate your support and I'm glad that you find my videos helpful. Speaking of exciting things, have you checked out the Segway Portable PowerStation Cube Series? It's a versatile powerhouse with a massive capacity, fast recharging, and comprehensive protections. It's perfect for outdoor enthusiasts like us who value quality family time. I highly recommend considering it for your outdoor gear and home backup power needs!

[@K3nVV]

...purchased 12 Vatrer, was relieved after your breakdown.

[@wildwestunlimited]

!!!THIS!!! ..... This is one of the MANY things I REALLY like about Mr. Prowse! .... If something SUCKS, he WILL call 'em out and let everyone know!..... If something is AWESOME, he WILL let everyone know also! .... I wanna be Will Prowse when I grow up!

[@kpd3308]

Will, your battery teardowns are invaluable in both steering us away from deficiently manufactured products, and in holding substandard manufacturers accountable to improve their manufacturing processes. You are providing information that is otherwise unobtainable to us consumers. You also educate us on the technical aspects of electrical systems. Thank you very much.

[@WillBelden]

I LOVE that you rip these open. Just told the wife that if I were to buy some new lithium batteries, from an unknown company, if you don't cover it and don't rate it well, I absolutely would NOT buy it.

[@JunitafluxcyfatriciaJunita]

Cell Battery is good. BMS is good. But assembled by a 12 year old 😂

[@lieutenantcolonelnicholson9228]

Thanks Will for all the information over the years. I finally finished my 800 Watt NewPowa (on the shed out back) system in via 8 gauge wire to an EPEver 40 amp MPPT charge controller feeding two SOK 100 amp hour batteries to a Gowise 1500 watt inverter. The system has been powering my 10 foot chest freezer for weeks now. Oh, I bought your book and actually read it! Top shelf!

[@tim1299]

Well, I finally went lithium. My LI TIME 100 amp came today. I thought this video was going to make me regret the purchase. Thankfully it didn't, but instead confirmed I made the correct decision thanks to you. I didn't get one with low temp sensor. I just won't be using it in the cold. But I will probable buid an insulated box for it. Thanks Again Will.

[@tico4940]

I take your advice on solar for years,always make it easy to understand and your comparisons/reviews are great.

[@ChrisB_NC]

Great Video… you had me cracking up…. “Ehhh… What is that?”😂😂. I agree with the teardowns. Some night see it as a waste, but as you clearly show you just can’t judge the battery by looks and capacity. Still the best solar channel on KZbin! Thank you for all you do!

[@clarasmith1873]

It was fun to watch how much you enjoyed watching taking the batteries apart.

[@geraldwatkins3543]

Thanks for going back to the 12v affordable review. I appreciate it.

[@user--PM]

thanks for doing all those tear downs, very nice to see

[@huhdidwhat]

Thank you so much,Will. I was just looking into purchasing the two worst ones you just tore down, now I know better and I really appreciate it!

[@charlescole-p9v]

Your videos are BEST of it's kind on youtube!

[@celsoruiz4339]

I love your honesty and your reviews on all pieces of equipment that come through your hands. I hope that the companies appreciate your reviews.

[@donoimdono2702]

I'm sure the bad ones don't 😂

[@jaymedina3142]

Absolutely love these turn down videos I am so glad you do them to help inform the public.

[@mattmoehring9173]

Been waiting for a updated showdown, thanks for doing this yet again!

[@victornelson1577]

Thanks for posting this video.hello from Scotland

[@davidtreichelpppj5304]

Good Job ... Thanks for your investigative research. None of us could do that teardown

[@kimmer6]

I helped a fiend put in solar and lithium battery with Renogy inverter and MPPT in his Class C motorhome. So far, so good. He got the Vartrer 460 amp hour 12 volt battery. It had a metal case, external on/off push button, lifting handles, and looked excellent from the outside. Screws held the metal case together. For $1400 it better be good!

[@LithiumSolar]

This video was fun hahaha. No Vatrers though, too many problems/QC Issues and their staff not knowing how their own product works. And OMFG that solder on the Bunfloe wtf never seen anything like it. Regarding the Sokerty, it's not even clear to me what they're selling. What is a "LifePo4" battery? Never heard of it. Seriously, if you're going to sell it, type it correctly. Lastly, I've had trouble testing temp sensors with ice. I always end up getting it around 0-2C and it's difficult to pull off those last few degrees (at least for me) and is why I always use the computer duster. That, and some end up being set for -5C. Anyway, sorry for a long response but this one was too funny! I've turned away so many just because I'm tired of looking at the 12V 100Ah's - maybe that was a mistake, missing out on entertainment LOL.

[@WillProwse]

😂😂😂

[@WillProwse]

They are such a chore but so worth it sometimes haha

[@jasonpotts6490]

Excellent -- I love your teardown videos. Suggestion: From the two good ones in this round-up, get the 200 and/or 300ah versions and see if they have the same quality.

[@robert4027]

I been waiting for budget battery review on this channel a long time..... can't thank you enough for this video

[@cdonuts7335]

Yes! Back to basics! The battery manufacturers probably think they can put out sub standard units again because Prowse doesn't seem to be ripping them apart anymore! Knowing what to avoid till the end of time! 😂

[@EngineeringAdjacent]

believe it or not that is how aircraft grounds are done. it has nil effect on the performance if torqued within the work life of the seal. The conductors squeeze out the sealant and still make solid intergranular contact, with 0 voids of humid entrapped air. That is a sign of quality... I pause at 2:02 to type that. i'm guessing this will be decent.

[@chevrofreak]

I have the self heating version of that Vatrer and it was the cheapest self heating battery I could find. Seems pretty good so far. Being able to connect to the BMS with the JBD app is great. I actually replaced the 12v battery in my 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid with the 50ah Vatrer low temp cutoff battery and when it got down to 10F last week it did just fine. I have a 100W solar panel on the roof to keep it topped up because it is a backup vehicle.

[@MrDave9111]

>> I have a 100W solar panel on the roof to keep it topped up because it is a backup vehicle.

[@Ben6n]

I use Power queen 👸 batteries I have been using it now for over two years and some months, still maintaining the same capacity that was rated for

[@BODETHEKILLER]

I just bought one also we need a power queen tear down please! 😊

[@Ben6n]

@@BODETHEKILLER that’s nice. You will never regret buying Power queen batteries , lot of teardown on KZbin

[@McTroyd]

I remember cringing the whole time you took the cutter and went to town on that first BattleBorn battery years ago now. Little did we know then how helpful that would eventually be, especially as all these cheapies flood the market. 👍

[@photog1529]

I needed a battery for my Suburban camper, and recently bought an SOK 12V/100aH battery with the Bluetooth option. It cost me a little extra, but it looks like I made a good choice based on what I'm seeing in your battery tear-down videos.

[@BobJones-gp1xy]

Love what you do man, keep up the good work!

[@OIII-IOOO]

thank you for protecting us. we regular-joe consumers would have no idea about this stuff and i think those guys know it and try to take advantage. you perform an incredible service. thanks and keep up the good work.

[@piyushan_abeynayake]

Great teardown video. It's a good refresher for "No Safety, Know Pain. Know Safety, No Pain” and definitely wouldn't hurt to see these more often.

[@somaliskinnypirate]

Somting wong with those batteries. Keep up the great work. Love your channel.

[@mackfisher4487]

copper plated steel wire / copper plated aluminum wire I'm sure you're finding units with undersized conductors, but have you given thought to checking the quality of the wire itself. I recently found that some of my test leads were made of steel plated copper this inexpensive battery system could lead to devastating failures.

[@WillProwse]

Yes I always check for that

[@firetecher]

I have found alligator clip leads from electronics vendors having very few wire strands, and/or proper crimping. Also, cheap auto jumper cables can have small wire guage with thick diam plastic. Light weight means small wire. (duh).

[@somuchforforever]

"This says dedicated and professional, sure pal" got me. 🤣

[@debbiedogs1]

I am very wary of the budget stuff, I wait and learn from experts like you about reliable brands. So far I bought two Redodo minis to start off with more than just the power stations. As a senior with some back problems, I was enticed by the more manageable weight plus the good reviews for Redodo, Power Queen and LiTime.

[@stopPlannedObsolescence]

Sadly expensive one sometimes is bad too

[@gdubya03]

Thanks Will. You really have helped so many including myself. You are a legend.

[@innerspaceavailable]

It would be nice to have a chart of who builds for whom in the market. Although I am sure it shifts around based on marketshare and pricepoint for some of these factories.

[@pianodirt]

Thanks, WIll! We ended up buying the 200Ah Powerurus you have listed on your website. It's been great. Went with that instead of these ultra cheap ones, because the BMS has bluetooth, so we can see what's going on inside the battery. It's served us very well so far, thanks!

[@timm1065]

Glad to see you back in my algorithim.!!! loving my skoolie solar setup that i tackled with your advice.

[@Roll2Videos]

Hahahahaha I was laughing for most of that video, Thank you I needed that. Lol 😂😂😂

[@PCMenten]

Assembled by twelve year olds. 😅

[@patwebb3970]

Thanks for your tear down and comments on the Vatrer battery. I am purchasing there 12V 300AH Lithium, blue tooth, heated unit for my RV. I will replace my originals are 2ea 12V 80AH with one Vatrer 300AH. I am hoping for a big improvement. The cost to my door is $589. thanks again.

[@Lockon_8171]

I recently bought and (unfortunately) repaired a 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 battery which arrived with low voltage, which I eventually tore down to find the bus bar between cells 1 and 2 had come unattached during shipping. Amusingly said battery had threads in the battery terminals and holes in said bus bar to actually bolt the bus bars in but were welded on instead... Really like this video showing some of the gotcha's of these batteries, I think the thing that irritated me about the whole situation was the seller in question said my charger was at fault 😬

[@williamkn621]

Thanks for doing the test of some of these 100 amp batteries there's a still probably a large group of us that aren't using server rack batteries

[@shiftyidog-]

Your enthusiasm for batteries is fantastic 😂✌️

[@onecrazywheel]

I recently just switched all of our UPS batteries in our power UPS' to Vatrer batteries in the 12v 7ah batteries. They have been top notch. No issues. I'm also going to be using them in our kids Razor Electric Dune Buggy as well instead of the lead acids. Great video.

[@michaelkeyes3440]

Can you please teardown some of the new "mini" batteries?

[@lkeil84]

I really wanted another 400-600 amps for my boat and was looking at all of these batteries. I ran across some used Valence U27-12XP batteries with tested 120 amp capacity looking like new for just over $300 including shipping. I bought 6 of them without a thought. They all came within a week and looked brand new. Now I have 13 of them for the boat. With this many, I don't worry about starting big diesel engines with the. Even with 6, I had no problems starting the engines. The Bms in that battery is 150 amp continuous and 300 amp for 30 seconds. No problems any more and my search is now over

[@goodcitizen4587]

We've come a long way from the 18650 rigs.

[@Spoolingturbo6]

@7:30 " Bigger the Glob / Better the Job" ! LOL

[@callmehank88]

I wish your recommended batteries were available in Australia. It's a dice roll for good value LiFeP04 batteries over here.

[@UnacceptableViews]

the new version Kings Batteries are pretty good. i've seen a few of em torn apart and they look like something that Will would approve of. I've got the 300ah Kings lithium and it's been working great for the year I've had it. the smaller 120ah and 200ah Kings now use prismatic cells where before they used pouch cells and were to be avoided. the 300ah uses cylindrical cells

[@artursmihelsons415]

Great video! Thanks for disassembly and deeper review, not just "it works"! 👍😇 This video, probably, cost lots of money.. Safety first.. Some of them I, definitely, don't wanna in my house.. 😂

[@agps4418]

now THIS is a breakdown! great video!

[@erickdanielsson6710]

Thanks Will, As always your expertise and straight up testing are the go to in Solar for the average guy.

[@andrewphiri1096]

That is the good part of you. You open and show us insaid even Inverters I seen you do same for acknowledge that good

[@bretmuldner]

Thank you for your work and help. Most people are so sick of cheap crap thats overpriced.

[@logun1970]

Personally my top and most trusted source for all things solar!!! Thanks Will, keep up the great work you do here!

[@philborchelt5396]

I bought a Vatrer 460 ah LiFePO4 for $1000!! Have used it in my RV for about a year now and it is a champ!!

[@trumpingtonfanhurst694]

We had extremal fun time!

[@BenBartlow]

Thanks will would love to see a follow up on the weize 12v battery the price has dropped alot recently and I wonder if the quality is the same or worse

[@ramblynrocketeer]

Valuable information Thank you

[@campinwill9977]

Thanks Will! I'm helping a gal with a trailer with a 120v refer and her 2 12v wet cells die at 2am. The issue is the plastic battery boxes are small, so the only lithium batteries that will fit are the minis. Grenerpower, GenhoalM, Weize. How about a video to help the trailer people. I recommended the Weize?

[@ifell3]

That's not big globs of solder on those batteries, that's what my welds look like. Nothing wrong with them 😅

[@imnutrak130]

Why isn't this a standard practice for all products on the planet?! Thank you for the great video! I hope youtube incentivises creators for more videos like those and get the quality and safety of cheap products under control as many people get mislead and not only do they get awful value for the product the bought, but most probably a hazard they brought back home to their family!

[@AntManBee19]

Thanks for doing this and I don’t know if they came from Amazon or not. If so it shows that with many products there is no QC and it’s usually you get what you pay for. It is really disappointing that there is a lot of low quality items online and the consumer is left to basically guess so thanks again for giving the lowdown on these batteries

[@juhajuntunen7866]

These bad batteries can give LiFePo bad name.

[@coreysmith8398]

Finally, i have seen a few of these several times lately. I was iffy of these!!

[@jamesherron9969]

Amazon is carrying lots of weird battery names. Some of them are very cheap. I see one the other day for $197.12 V lithium ion curious if you’ve ever torn any of the Amazon stuff down

[@Eyezzzonly]

Will i must thank you, with your videos i was able and interested enough to build my own battery with cells from a distributor (16x105Ah Cells its a 12V System) instead of buying one of these like in the video. And after 1 year, i looked up at the bms and i had only 30 made Cycles (my pc and the other electronics i can run with it and my power bill is now at 40% of before) And just top balanced the cells and holy crap. instead of 105 they had something like 115Ah on capacity. maybe its so, because i dont load them up very fast (in summer i get 25A max here with my little solar) - and overall peak load is about 40A... So thank you for this experience. i can only say to any other person, get comfortable with it, build it your own. its so much fun, and if something isnt working, you build it, you know exactly where to begin hehe Thanks

[@luke-thurston]

Thanks Will, great as ever.

[@chancederosier3378]

Thank you for all the work you put in to reveal the hazards companies and there products that shouldn’t me on the market the true danger of these batteries catching fire

[@tuberdave1]

Thanks Will, you saved people money!😊

[@Martkl]

Thank you for showing which battery not to buy. I currently use 3x 100ah 12v lifepo4 from kepworth. Opend one up, and there are pouchcells inside. Can you do a review on these?

[@planespeaking]

Interesting video. You can get conductive adhesive/threadlockers for up to 200kv so it would be worth checking if that was the case. Probably not but maybe

[@skyhawk089]

Will please do a video how to use endphase micro IQ7 inveters off grid,

[@todds_ramblings]

Thanks. Im interested in lighter weight batteries derived from tesla cells (for a solar boat)

[@olafschermann1592]

That‘s why i build my own batteries. Thought it is better to buy something from amazon - but now i trust my own work more.

[@FONTJA]

Will, please test the 100ah mini batteries

[@tormedic]

Have you ever looked at renolgy batteries? As for a tear down

[@BODETHEKILLER]

Could we get a power queen tear down please?

[@KSCPMark6742]

I would like to know how to verify a battery is indeed LiPePo, and not just an ordinary LiIon with a different label. How can you verufy the chemistry?

[@andrewt9204]

LFP is a lower nominal voltage, and also a very flat SoC curve. If you drain the battery to 3V per cell and then put a charger on at 3.5V per cell and the current stays there for a long time, it's LFP. A turnery based Li cell will get there much quicker. Going from 3 to 3.5V on a turnery battery is only going to be like 30% capacity, VS more like 70% on LFP.

[@KSCPMark6742]

@@andrewt9204 Thanks for the information. It'd be really nice if they tested this as a matter of course in these reviews. I'm sure LiFePo costs more, so it' a way to cheat

[@Techboxreview]

Great video mate 👍

[@4aneme8R]

How often do you find that the components are changed? We bought a Weize based on your finding last spring...

[@firstnlast]

This might be my favorite video yet. No. Wait. It is. What were they thinking?

[@leonardsackett9568]

Why all that empty space in the battery cases. In a class B RV we would kill for smaller batteries so we can put more Ah in the RV.

[@JeffSkymaster]

they make em, there called mini size

[@leonardsackett9568]

brand??@@JeffSkymaster

[@brushbum7508]

Thanks Will ! TAKE CARE..

[@pabst100]

I am glad I saw your video first. I almost ended up buying a battery that I did not know much about ... looks can be deceiving , but name brands with wierd name takes the cake.. thanks for your input on batteries that are out there

[@titanpat57]

You ARE the Man!!!

[@noluck8613]

Thanks!

[@46davenport]

fantastic info, love your vids and very impressed by your knowledge / commitment!

[@indycharlie]

Great job Will , thank you !

[@BobBob-il2ku]

Can you review HSQ charge controllers? they have low temp protection

[@bkodra]

Most of the cost building it was paying for the solder.

[@danstrayer111]

they have 12 year olds working in lead mines, no biggie.

[@M22Research]

The Chins, with low temp charging shutoff has been $229 (dropped to $219 for a couple weeks) on Amazon.

[@markpate4295]

Already using it, don't care. I smoke cigarettes and am 20 years passed a terminal diagnosis. I am living on the edge. I'll give you a field test rating once I have it pushing 200 amps every day. It charges fine and powers my RV macerator. As far as replacing my 12v system... I'm waiting for my leads to die. I need to integrate my lead acid lfp or figure out a split phase solution. AC still needs 15 amps... crazy.

[@jasongreenwood3260]

Thanks Will. You are my goto authority. Good video!

[@theyclash1984]

This dude cracks me up....Vattertattereterear lol, keep good up the good work Will!

[@patrickcallender8429]

Thanks for all that you do for us DIY'ers. I only have room on my roof for a solar panel that is spit cell @ 315 volts. I have a 40 A controller and an outdated, but functional 2000W ProSine inverter/charger. 3 very heavy AGM, 115ah batteries in good condition. I would like to change to lithium. What amp hour and brand would you suggest ? I plan on going off grid quite a bit this winter.