Budget Battery Teardowns 12V 100Ah LiFePO4, Strange Smells, Busbar Concerns

Рет қаралды 26,116

Күн бұрын

Both of these cheap, budget batteries showed up here over 3 months ago. I didn't order them or in any way request them be sent to me. Let's tear both down and see how they're built and if they're worth considering.
Featured Products: (affiliate links)
I don't recommend the purchase of either battery featured in this video. If you're looking for a 12V 100Ah battery, consider checking the following two options
SOK 12V 100Ah... www.currentconnected.com/prod...
Epoch 12V 100Ah... www.epochbatteries.com/produc...
WARNING: Lithium batteries are dangerous and can result in fire! This video is NOT intended to be instructional or a "how-to" lesson. I am not a professional. Do not attempt anything you see here without first contacting a certified and/or licensed professional.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:33 External Overview
02:23 Vatrer Disassembly
03:43 Temgot Disassembly
05:51 Vatrer Returns
08:24 Rigid Busbars
10:53 Conclusions
Recommended Stores: (Using these links helps support this channel)
Current Connected... store.currentconnected.com/?r...
Signature Solar... signaturesolar.com/?ref=lithi... ($50 Discount Code "LITHIUMSOLAR50")
Best LFP Source... www.18650batterystore.com/?rf...
SanTan Solar... www.santansolar.com/?ref=lsolar
Battery Hookup... batteryhookup.com/discount/BA...
Batrium BMS... www.batrium.com/
Contact Info:
My business email is lithiumsolardiy@gmail.com. You may contact me for sponsorships, product reviews, business-related questions, or any similar reason. I am not available for personal project questions or consultation. I will not respond to these emails.
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Disclaimers and Statements:
► I receive a small commission on purchases made using my affiliated links shared the video description and comments section. The views and opinions expressed here are my own, unbiased, and not influenced by this commission in any way.
► My videos are in no way intended to be instructional "how-to" lessons. I am simply documenting my project for informational purposes. Property damage, personal injury, or death may result, even when following manufacturer's instructions. I cannot be held liable for such damage or injury. It is YOUR OBLIGATION to ensure that you are complying with any local and federal laws as well as code and permit requirements.

Пікірлер: 92

@LithiumSolar 10 ай бұрын

Please let me know what you think of these batteries and if you have experience with either of them.

@remix381 10 ай бұрын

Capacity test?

@LithiumSolar 10 ай бұрын

@@remix381 No, not this time

@olligesd9343 10 ай бұрын

Could you test the EG4 PowerPro 14.3k battery? It's pretty new and can't find any reviews at all on it. Pretty please w/ cherry on top? 🍒

@john_in_phoenix 7 ай бұрын

The Vatrer is the one that I sent to relatives in Ukraine last winter, and they have been using two of them to run a Vatrer diesel heater and lights. Zero problems so far, and they are quite happy with them.

@IvanPudic-rj2gh 4 ай бұрын

Five months ago, I purchased the Temgot 100Ah self-heating battery, and so far, it's been working perfectly. The issue of the battery not functioning in low temperatures has finally been resolved. The battery comes with an LCD screen and Bluetooth functionality through the app, allowing me to check the battery status anytime, which is very convenient. With a five-year warranty, I would be very fond of it if the battery continues to perform without issues.

@remix381 10 ай бұрын

I just started to look at the TEMCOT and didn't see any teardown on KZbin. So glad you just did this.

@IvanPudic-rj2gh 4 ай бұрын

@user--PM 10 ай бұрын

i dont think you are being too critical, and am surprised you went ahead with this video, thanks for the review.

@SmitHVAC. 7 ай бұрын

I like my Temgot, the shunt/display works great and I haven't had any issues

@jmacd8817 10 ай бұрын

Nice vid! Always appreciated. Is it possible for you to do a summary of current battery offerings?

@joeyoutdoors 9 ай бұрын

I have two of the Vatrer 100ah batteries, 9 months old. I have had no issues with the units using them a trolling motor batteries pulling 50Amps at full throttle. Got them on a sale for $285 each shipped including tax from them directly. The cells register as EVE cells based on average Joes review. The BMS will pull 150Amps for at least 10 seconds. Whats not to love? Its a 5 year battery solution that weighs 25 pounds a piece vs the 60 pounds a piece lead acid. Thats 70 pounds of weight savings.

@Roll2Videos 10 ай бұрын

Great review! I'm in the process of my review video, and you've given me some key takeaways. Careful showing that box for your information.

@LithiumSolar 10 ай бұрын

Which one do you have? If it's the Vatrer does yours STINK like electrolyte as well?

@Roll2Videos 10 ай бұрын

@@LithiumSolar It is the same 100Ah. No smell.

@overexposurevideo 2 ай бұрын

I'm using a couple of the vatrer batteries for off grid solar installations and I'm very pleased with them. I have the bluetooth version and the cells are very well balanced when I received them ( thats not always the case with other brands ! ) I think the build quality is very good with eve quality cells and bus bars . On the first cycle I got already 103 AH out of them. I think the smell you had is probably from some glue and not the cells themselves . Since a normal person will keep the batterie closed its not an issue I think. DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse also thinks the build quality is very good and the bus bars are fine. The battery has a good low temperature protection as well and the bms can be completely customised using the correct app. Just my opinion

@StansE250 8 ай бұрын

Always VALUE your vids. Now that it seems that many (labels) are jumping on the higher profit margin, pouch cell, “Mini” in LifePO4 12V 100ah, if you will be doing any additional vids on the Minis. Following you and Will’s previous Vatrer Tests, I bought two. Subsequently realized that I need more capacity for my system, while Highly space-constrained. The introduction of the ‘Mini’ seemed compelling; but, I remain on the fence. During this time, I still sit on Brand New Vatrers that I try to sell at a pretty big Loss. 😩 Also, I don’t recall seeing teardowns revealing flexible BusBars. Can you mention a couple of examples, please ?

@matthewknight5641 10 ай бұрын

I think it's awesome they send you guys batteries to review. If I was you I'd tear them apart and install a good bms and have a great powerwall

@joelr5160 6 ай бұрын

I have a Temgot battery and it has been working very well. I use it to charge a Bluetti EB70S and AC180 when I don't have good sun for me to use my 2x120W Elecaenta solar panels for charging. I have a 300w inverter that I use to run the 200W AC Adapter for the EB70S. I can charge both solar generators at 200W. Not great but works good when I don't have sun.

@john_in_phoenix 10 ай бұрын

I've sent a couple of the Vatrer batteries and a Vatrer branded diesel heater to relatives in Ukraine. They were cheap, available, and didn't smell. So far no reported problems. That said, I would rather have the battery with the JBD BMS. This doesn't mean that I would recommend them, just that so far they have given no problems. I suspect the smell is from a cell that leaked onto the assembly in the factory rather than from this battery.

@LithiumSolar 10 ай бұрын

I don't think it's coming from this battery pack either, but man is it STRONG.

@dgSolidarity 10 ай бұрын

That's what occurred to me, but ... inside of the cell? Contained to that one small area? Just saying it's strange no matter how you look at it.

@truetech4158 9 ай бұрын

We tried the smell test, ok, i wonder what the difference is for the taste test! I just ordered a rather very low priced 100ah 12volter because i think i can probably escape in time after waking up during a fire after giving it the will it catch fire test.

@mickwolf1077 10 ай бұрын

Theres a vid of a guy that opened up a prismatic cell, it had an internal pouch inside the aluminum casing and nothing happened when he let the air into the case but there was some fluid in there. Not saying all prismatic cells are built like that but it made me feel better about their construction. I can link the vid if you want me to.

@jar407 9 ай бұрын

have 2 Vatrer batteries almost a year used during hurricane ean, and for van refrigerator . so far so good there lower priced so some economies happen i have 1 cheaper one dont have low temp like the vatrer but for all 3 for the price of 1 battle borne i risk it

@foxbodyford 10 ай бұрын

What are the better options you spoke of at the end of the video?

@mace-ti7js 10 ай бұрын

Great video as always, can you please share the busbars link which you prefer for diy 280 ah eve cells. Greatly appreciated.

@LithiumSolar 10 ай бұрын

Thanks! They're made by WeberPowerTech. I purchased them here www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803043965156.html

@tech-test-break-fix 9 ай бұрын

What is your source for the flexible busbars?

@SuperVstech 10 ай бұрын

If you don’t see any leaking or damage, I’d bet something happened at the assembly plant, and a cell spilled onto the insulating board… that sliding tape is a dead giveaway some chemical has compromised the adhesive…

@LithiumSolar 10 ай бұрын

I think that is a spot-on assessment.

@Powerwinoffical 9 ай бұрын

Great video! Interested in reviewing our POWERWIN BT100 1280Wh LiFePO4 Battery?

@willfixthingsfordonuts 10 ай бұрын

I have 2 of those Vatrer batteries I've been testing for almost a year, they've been OK, no weird smells, I get the feeling there may have been an incident during assembly and they just left the goop on that wire wrap and didn't care. Sloppy assembly, it's China!

@Marty30_0 6 ай бұрын

Hi I live in Maine and have had a solar shed for the past 2 years and I am in the process of upgraded from two parallel Renogy 12v 100ah AGM to two Vatrer Lifep04 batteries with one more to purchase. The final system will consist of 2 Vatrer 12v 100ah lifepo4 batteries and a 2K inverter. My typical usage is between 10 and 100 amps. Before I purchase more batteries, I am now concerned about how important it is for a lifepo4 12v 100ah battery to have internal bus bar stress relief for individual cell expansion? I have heard pros and cons of an internal busbar needing a flex point made of layered metal to other opinions its not needed. Is the spacing between the internal cell adequate? What is your opinion? Did the Vatrer 12v 100ah lifepo4 battery teardown have good internal bus bars and cell spacing? BTW your teardowns are awesome. Thanks in advance.

@clarencewiles963 10 ай бұрын

It’s been a while but, I’m thinking no go on this one or both you know they know your going to look inside 😂

@ForwardGuidance 10 ай бұрын

I guess with these particular batteries, if they would have left the strapping tape off so the batteries could expand/contract against the foam, that would have been at least moderately okay? The flex busbars are kind of new to the market so I wonder what BattleBorn and others were doing before the flex busbars and if those batteries are experiencing any issues today.

@LithiumSolar 10 ай бұрын

While there are better options, I'm generally fine with the use of strapping tape. The part I don't like here is the use of strapping tape WITH rigid busbars. You are correct that the multi-layer flex busbars that I showed in the video are relatively new; however, the use of flexibility in busbars is not. Almost all batteries we have reviewed have little humps in the middle of the busbars, which are the designated to allow a bit of movement. The SunGoldPower rack battery that I reviewed recently also had rigid busbars, but those cells are fixed in a steel box - not held by strapping tape.

@ericklein5097 10 ай бұрын

Is BattleBorn now using prismatic cells in their battery line? I have only seen Will's teardown of a 100Ah from a couple years ago at least. There's another company (I believe they are Australian or British) that uses cylindrical cells and touts the form factor as all around better. In a way it is, since you don't have to deal with expansion and contraction but obviously from a space form factor standpoint they do get bulky. I don't think I've seen a 32700 that can hold more than 7000mAh....and I might be wrong on that, it might just be 6000+mAh.

@ich1ban916 10 ай бұрын

I know this is off topic but do you plan to do a review on the EG4 PowerPro 14.3 kWh battery any time soon? If so I'm really looking forward to it.

@LithiumSolar 10 ай бұрын

I don't have any plans at this time.

@ich1ban916 10 ай бұрын

Yes, I watched those, but I really like / value the breakdown reviews from lithiumsolar@@LithiumSolar

@5400bowen 9 ай бұрын

He didn’t know that. And Signature solar is the supplier for EG-4. Just look at the revues online about that company, they match my abysmal experience with them. Truly a very bad company! And who are you to say that only one creator can review a product..I smell a rat here….

@lyfandeth 10 ай бұрын

When you've got to measure in small fractions of an inch? Millimeters become handy. Could have used a longer more detailed review.

@dgSolidarity 10 ай бұрын

How dare you try to oppress him with your globalist agenda!

@dredre9484 10 ай бұрын

Are solarking any good mate cheers

@realeyesrealizereallies6828 10 ай бұрын

I've had solid bus bars on several different home made batteries with prismatic cells for several years now with no issues, so I do doubt if that is a serious concern..I've only even starting seeing the expandable type in the last 3 months..Which I'm sure is better..It is the wild wild west for batteries and ebikes these days..I saw a guy(engineer) who lives on a house boat do a review of the stanky one, he liked it for the price, but I didn't care for it, watching the video..

@HighDesertOffgrid 10 ай бұрын

Given the minimum angle of the top/ bottom expansion difference I would agree it is likely a non issue.

@lyfandeth 10 ай бұрын

I have had a set of rubber beach sandals for over ten years. They originally had a burnt smell to them and I'm guessing they were salvaged from a warehouse or store that had fire and damage. It takes years for that burnt smoke odor to go away. So possibly your stink battery including similar salvaged but undamaged goods.

@rogue0921 10 ай бұрын

Are you sure it's not the glue that they used to secure the battery into the case that's causing the odor? Usually that what causes that awful smell .

@LithiumSolar 10 ай бұрын

Yes, I'm sure. Electrolyte has a very distictive smell that I'm very familiar with.

@CatchinDeerShootinFish 10 ай бұрын

I purchased one of the vatrer batteries. When I attempted to charge battery for the first time, it would take charge. So i bought two other chargers and those didnt work either. I reached out to vatrer an they told me to just keep trying a different charger. After i told them i would fix the battery myself and never buy thier products again, they then offered to replace battery.

@LithiumSolar 10 ай бұрын

Wow. It's sounding like an overall problem with quality control.

@CatchinDeerShootinFish 10 ай бұрын

@@LithiumSolar i tore battery apart and the problem is the bms.

@5400bowen 9 ай бұрын

I bought a plastic plant pot Walmart a couple of months ago, and it had a weird chemical/burnt smell. Heavy industrialization contamination? High temps to speed up production?

@truetech4158 9 ай бұрын

I dunno, its like my older brother has bad breath while i don't, yet even though we fell from the same womb, though at different times. Maybe your plastic pot was made in the same injection molding line as that smelly battery, or maybe, it that line has the same employee that has bad smelling plastic while the other factory workers plastic is ok, even if theyre related.

@camielkotte 10 ай бұрын

It may have vented when it was sideways. Maybe over temp in storage? Hot transport van? Just throwing watermelons here...

@hoosierdaddy3705 9 ай бұрын

One of those may be made with used cells. the white stuff is under the tape going around the cells. New batteries don't usually have jizz on them.

@truetech4158 9 ай бұрын

They dont fasterbate in battery factories, do they? Maybe you know something the rest of us don't, did you work there? haha

@RyanMercer 10 ай бұрын

Wow, those look identical to the "Cenerius" 12v 100Ah I reviewed recently.

@truetech4158 9 ай бұрын

I watched a video last night of a factory that says they can put any brand label on the battery that you want, essentially suggesting that perhaps many many differently labelled batteries are shipping out of the same street address. They at least buy the same injection molded casing and you know they'd want to save money in that dept, so cases tend to look not so original in design per brand.

@RyanMercer 9 ай бұрын

@@truetech4158 oh for sure. A lot of this stuff is made by a few places.

@DrachenBlasen 10 ай бұрын

Maybe a dumb question. What's the difference between buying one 48v 100ah vs 4x 12v 100ah or 2x 12v 200ah is there any difference between those or it would be like buying the same thing but in different format?

@jw3843 10 ай бұрын

I would not say it is a dumb question, but my answer may be. As far as the Watt hours in each group goes, it would be the same, 12 volts at 400 AH is the same watt hours as 48 volts at 100 ah. The biggest difference to me would be the weight of each to move them around, moving 4 small batteries or 2 smaller batteries is easier than moving one really heavy one if that is an issue, the more parts you have the more parts that can fail, and of course, the amount of wire and other parts you will need to connect them all. The only other major difference to me would be in that you could use the groups of batteries in different voltages based on how you set them up for a system and the one battery you are stuck with that specific voltage. Not a big deal if the rest of your system is made for that voltage. Of course, you do have to look at what the manufacturer says about connecting them in series or parallel limits are. Some say no more than 4 in series connection. It is possible that if you have 4 batteries hooked together in series that you would be safer to get a balancer for the batteries to keep them all at the same voltage when wired in series because you should not depend on just the BMS to keep them from going over voltage. I saw a video of someone that had Battleborn batteries and the 3rd battery in each set he had failed and had burned out and those 2 batteries were reading 17 or 18 volts while the others all read 13.2 or something like that. They were wired is series for a 48 volt system.

@5400bowen 9 ай бұрын

It’s the cabling and setup. Series battery configurations require even length cables to and from the batteries to keep charging and discharging even between the batteries. Parallel setups have the same problem, you can’t just daisy chain them. The battery furthest from the charger gets less charging, the one farthest from the inverter drains slower. And the closest to the inverter literally takes all the current flowing through the whole bank through it’s terminals, which can cause heating and failure, sometimes catastrophic. Several considerations there, like the cost of extra cabling. One 400 amp hour battery is better than 4 100 amp hour batteries, as the one doesn’t have imbalanced charging and discharging issues, and less cabling is cheaper. Battery cables should be as thick as possible, and that costs time and money and space etc. . There are other considerations, the more batteries you have, the more things that can fail.

@jamesfalvey77 10 ай бұрын

They knew you would do a video.

@carscoffee5263 10 ай бұрын

Free renewable energy products on my doorstep to evaluate is a problem i need lol

@LithiumSolar 10 ай бұрын

Lol, it becomes a problem when one is damaged/faulty and you now need to pay to dispose of it...

@JeffSkymaster 10 ай бұрын

Tape on the Heat Sink might cause some fumes.

@LithiumSolar 10 ай бұрын

It's possible that would cause a small odor, but this is a very strong smell of electrolyte. It has a very distinct smell.

@weedwacker1716 10 ай бұрын

That's one way to get the a-holes to stop sending you sh!t. 👍🏻😂

@seandadon4884 8 ай бұрын

Somebody probably spilled their lunch in the battery while putting it together

@HippocratesGarden 10 ай бұрын

Worst case. Fully disassemble, and use the cells and bms's in a build.

@truetech4158 9 ай бұрын

Its a good thing this wasnt a koolade review, gee, why does this unknown Jonestown branded strawberry flavored one smell like almonds?

@barrywilliams8743 10 ай бұрын

Hey you don't do giveaways to subscribers?

@LithiumSolar 10 ай бұрын

No. I would love to but the legalities around shipping batteries properly are rather difficult/expensive.

@filouphilippe7680 6 ай бұрын

sometimes silicone can have a very unpleasant acidic smell

@LithiumSolar 6 ай бұрын

It was definitely electrolyte. Not silicone.

@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369 10 ай бұрын

THANKS COOP ...

@nich532 6 ай бұрын

Could you send me two if those batteries... I will pay for the shipping

@LithiumSolar 6 ай бұрын

@vincei4252 10 ай бұрын

Probably all the same companies sharing you information. The fact that their history is so random and untraceable on Amazon screams avoid to me.

@mrpowdercoater 10 ай бұрын

You're probably not being critical enough, I mean these sketchy people found you without even talking to you. I got to be honest I think I would have thrown the batteries away without opening them.

@LithiumSolar 10 ай бұрын

Vatrer had my information from the first time I reviewed a battery of theirs. I can't explain how Temgot obtained it and kindof interesting they both arrived around the same time. Perhaps they're the same company or affiliated somehow.

@5400bowen 9 ай бұрын

@@LithiumSolarjust beware, you can lose your followers real quick if you get trapped by clever cons. I did sales for years, and the depth of some of the unethical marketing people can be astoundingly clever and devious. It sounds like you are keeping your eyes open with you saying it was a coincidence the timing and the possible association. Watch for those red flags. And keep up the good work. Falling prey to it can ruin your audience base, and lead to self loathing and worse.