CHEAP Vatrer 51.2V 100Ah Rack Battery, EVE Cells - Just Don't Break Them!

[@LithiumSolar]

Rack Battery... www.vatrerpower.com/products/vatrer-51-2v-100ah-lifepo4-lithium-solar-battery-built-in-100a-bms-max-5120w-load-power?sca_ref=5388250.5te6HEtUQb (discount code "LITHIUM7") Amazon... amzn.to/4aKy1fx Let me know what you think of this CHEAP battery! (affiliate links)

[@danrichardson4671]

Just got one delivered today. Teardown was exactly as in your video (so you weren't sent a "special"). The cables included were 6 AWG which is marginal, but I'll use them until I can get a 2 or 4 AWG set. Thanks for the review & recommendation!

[@av1204]

cut a slot on the top of the post with a dremel then use a flat tip to hold in place and use wrench to turn nut.

[@av1204]

just made it to where u cut it off. :D you could do that too

[@LithiumSolar]

The flat tip slot idea would have been perfect. I kindof feel dumb for not thinking of that... Ooof.

[@Do_the_Dishes]

It is amazing how affordable these things are becoming and the quality also seems to be getting better too. Makes me wish I held off on some of my earlier purchases. Thanks for the teardown & review.

[@davidgeorge8541]

Second pair of rack ears are for the rear rack rails. You will need them for a device that weighs that much. Don't attempt to mount the unit without using them.

[@LithiumSolar]

Well, that's absolutely what they would before in a typical rack-mount object like a server, ups, or larger network switch. In this case, there are no mounting holes on the back of the case to attach the ears. So... no clue!

[@Count_Smackula]

Great review! It's nice to see more options in the 48v rack mount form factor. Thanks for your effort.

[@LithiumSolar]

Thanks. I agree and especially like seeing different designs instead of just copies of one-another.

[@terrahillfarm]

Great review! Looks like a well built battery with good cells and thoughtful wiring. I didn’t see any fire suppression or UL listing though. The five year warranty, USA warehouse and tech support are a big plus. $200/kWh is getting close to DIY kit prices so we’re going in the right direction! ⚡️👍☀️🔋

[@solargloater8059]

Thanks for the review. Got mine using your discount code. Nice battery. Put it in parallel with 17 other server rack batteries. It seems to be charging/discharging in sympathy with the rest of them. I know the manual recommends not doing what I’m doing, but then I see Ian at Watts 24/7 with batteries having a lot more differences than mine all working in parallel. Also a belated thank you for the tip on 6awg thhn wire. I scored that deal too.

[@tweedeldee8122]

Thanks again! Always appreciate your thorough reivews and have learned a lot.

[@offgridwanabe]

I like the simplicity of this battery and the price is right.

[@Der_Hannes]

thx for the new Video! Nice Battery at first look, but.... 8:15 - 3.752V max cell voltage is def. much too high - i would highly recommend reworking some BMS Settings It could take several hours with the integrated Balancer (max 100mA balancing current) to bring it down under 3.650V or even lower In the App is also visiable, that max-cell #11 istnt even being getting balanced, so it is possible for the cell to sit there, hours after hours at such a stressful high voltage. The cells are unnecessarily tortured The cell undervolt protect. should sit on 2.5V as stated in EVE Cell datasheet That "cell mistreatment" is a absolute bummer The Terminals also look wiredly round (at least on Video) - so the contact surface seems to be quiete small compared to a real flat Terminal? And we havent even talked about the delta cell voltage of 325mV...that is not balanced at all

[@EatingWild]

Definitely not too high lol

[@OBrienDavid408]

Great job! This is the best internal structure I've seen so far. Thanks for sharing this.

[@Sylvan_dB]

The damaged terminal screw is an accessory (welded on, but still an accessory). I'd use the cell. I'd cut a slot in the top of the stud and use that to hold the stud from rotating while I tighten the terminal. The terminal will be held in contact with the welded on flat and all will be well. As an alternative to the slot, two opposing sides can be flattened and a small wrench used to hold the stud from rotating. I have a lot of cells with drilled and tapped terminals, and I use a stud with a hex socket. Same idea, using a hex wrench to hold the stud while tightening or loosening the nut.

[@thedabbler2753]

Thank you. I've had my eye on this for a while. My charge controller and inverters don't use comms so it seemed like a good cheap option. I was just hesitant due to the internal unknowns which you've now covered. I would have liked a pre-charge circuit but hey, this is the budget end. As an aside, is anyone else seeing the comments are now crammed into a side column, with a host of distracting thumbnails for other videos directly below LS's video? Bad UX choice.

[@wegsteryt5524]

I always scroll past ads like this. You got my attention when you mentioned the price!

[@LithiumSolar]

This is not intended to be an ad, but thanks :)

[@wegsteryt5524]

@@LithiumSolar I got it as an ad on YT shorts

[@jasonbroom7147]

Love the background! Is that new? Looking forward to seeing how effective the BMS/comms are from this offering. (Turns out no comms, but that's not a deal-breaker.) Aren't those just grub screws that are ran into the welded on terminal? I'm not sure it's really "damaged", per se? That 2.2v low cut-off on the cells is something I would have to fix! I'd bump that up to the normal 2500mah and increase the recovery voltage to 2800mah.

[@LithiumSolar]

Yes, the background and work area is new. I built it for use on my server channel but haven't had time to do much with it yet. I'm not sure how much battery work I'll be doing there as it's difficult carrying 105lb rack batteries up/down stairs. I don't know what's under the welded part but I think the stud and part welded are intended to be one piece - not threaded in to the cell. I'm not sure.

[@clarencewiles963]

This is something I’m looking at getting. Thanks for sharing this.

[@RGP_WA]

Nice explanation of this batteries attributes. Thank you!

[@ahaveland]

Mike, I just bought one from their German warehouse - deliveries expected mid July...

[@dgravette33]

Thank you for all you do. I wish you could get your hands on a Rich solar server rack battery. They look like a good alternative.

[@john_in_phoenix]

Looks like a nylock bolt, is it? OK, now I see it is. I greatly prefer the JBD BMS, different people might have different preferences. Like Tesla, VW, BYD, etc. I don't see a need for an active balancer. I think cell quality has a lot to do with that. You can get almost any communication option on a JBD, but you need to order them that way. I am not sure what the screen uses, but it is a communication option as well. Looks well built, although one reviewer on Amazon claimed it is a 15 cell battery (description specifically notes it is a 16 cell battery). I think they did (or still do) offer a 15 cell version, but I wouldn't recommend it. I sent some Vatrer 100ah batteries to Ukraine in 2022, and they are still working fine. I have found that top balancing with JBD can be done with a power supply, albeit slowly. Once balanced they stay that way with the default settings (which is 3.4v to start, only balance while charging). This certainly looks like a battery I would purchase, the price is certainly right.

[@JeffSkymaster]

Nice Battery, Thanks for the review.

[@roncolorado1814]

Just a heads up. On another channel, he mentioned that the product links weren’t giving him credit when people had pop up blockers. Something to check if people click through your link to the battery.

[@LithiumSolar]

Thanks for letting me know. I'll look in to it, but really I'm more about the reviews than trying to make sales. I do appreciate the support as always though for those that choose to use the links :)

[@loucinci3922]

Enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing

[@leafnutz2341]

How was the owners manual? What's the warranty? US support? Could a precharge resistor be added? Do they list suggested charge voltage settings?

[@McCuneWindandSolar]

it might be just a stud going in to the battery. Some of those batteries can have a bolt or a stud with a nut on top.

[@matthewknight5641]

Ive been building my own amd using 280k cells and the 2amp jk's. I kinda wish id just bought rack batteries for ease of moving it around

[@LithiumSolar]

Indeed. So many people keep telling me about these 280Ah or greater kits. I look at them and am like... 250lb? Yeah let me just grab that forklift that I keep in my back pocket.

[@matthewknight5641]

@@LithiumSolar for sure. I have a camper with 32 eve 280 k cells and I'm afraid if I tried to pull it down the road the camper would be dangerously unbalanced. I'd like to take it on vacation one day but the battery would need disabled and at least some of it moved to the front of the camper. I've thought about putting another battery bank towards the front of the camper to help with weight distribution but so for 30 kw has been plenty and I'm not sure how I'd keep the voltage equalized between the two banks with them being 30 foot from eachother

[@zaferroni]

Best rack battery SOK I think.

[@LithiumSolar]

SOK is pretty much as good as it gets. It's good to have a variety of choices available though :)

[@fly4fun24]

WOULD BE EASIER TO GET A THIN METAL BLADE AND MAKE GROVE ON TOP OF THE STUD SO YOU CAN USE A FLAT SCREWDRIVER TO HOLD THE STUD WHILE YOU TRY TO UNSCREW THAT 10MM NUT

[@LithiumSolar]

Yes, that would have been a fantastic idea if I would have thought of it before destroying it. Heh :(

[@oneshot_onekill4618]

Any link to a server rack for these batteries?

[@OP-fd4lh]

I think I know the answer but want to make sure. Would this battery be able for most people to replace the cells at the end of their life cycle or not to? I realize that even 3k cycles is good number of years but I would to just keep using it with new fresh cells if possible.

[@jasenhenry]

any concerns with the circuit breaker? heard it is an AC breaker without arc suppression

[@LithiumSolar]

No. I discussed towards the end of the video that I had found a test report where it was tested for DC voltages in 1P and 2P configurations. I couldn't find a complete specifications sheet though.

[@jasenhenry]

@@LithiumSolar thanks. planned a 4p config so trying to keep safety in the picture

[@Electronzap]

Nice review.

[@acadian101]

use a screwdriver to put pressure on the nut from underneath then unscrew,,, this often works

[@LithiumSolar]

I tried, but all I did was damage the aluminum terminal :(

[@tonyinfinity]

Ever hear of a nylon nut? They aren't meant to be removed, the nylon insert is gripping the stud on the battery.

[@LithiumSolar]

Yes, of course I've heard of a nylon nut and no, that is not what is used here.

[@marka7519]

Love the price but wish it had the network cable CAN communication

[@P_RO_]

Liking the assembly design and apparent build quality. I'd say the price is fairly cheap, which others have commented about. Prices always vary by nation and region so best to compare prices available to you where you are. BMS settings are not optimal for battery life which is something they should address. On the silicone blobs two things: One is it ensures connector security and two it acts as a 'tattle-tale' to show if someone has messed with it for warranty purposes. There are other ways to do this but silicone and it's dispensing is cheap and easy for manufacturing purposes. The blue loctite residue is an enigma. Does the CS rep simply not know what's going on? Maybe they buy the cells with the studs installed and weren't aware of it? Maybe it's a production line hack for less than perfect threading? No matter what the reason, the disparity is worrying, especially with all the rest of the hardware looking so good.

[@quartamile]

Has anyone tested the low temp charge shutoff function? We've seen these sometimes not work in other batteries. Thanks!

[@LithiumSolar]

I did not test it in this particular battery but I highly doubt there will be any issue as it's a JBD-branded BMS and we verified the programmed temp settings and sensor values.

[@luiscastillo861]

Hi, great review. There are one type of batteries that are slightly different than others i´ve seen. I am refering to the new model of Pytes Batteries V5. Have you tested?

[@GavinStoneDIY]

I actually really like JBD BMS’s. Kinda surprising to see decent rack batteries at this price point.

[@guywhoknows]

Nice looking review battery, wonder what customers batteries are like. It's not the lowest cost battery.. but not bad price if the quality is there. I think it's good news that lfp cell prices have more than halved in recent weeks, the cells being just over £20 GBP. I'd like to see the case prices come down as they are not so different to server cases. This would make a big difference.

[@rayB-md1hb]

Great video and I used your link and code to purchase one.I was charging it yesterday and opened the solar kill app I saw yu use in the video. Im a rookie and noticed the icon for only balance while charging so I turned it on The write to BMS icon at the top was blinking so I clicked it.Immediate the SOC went to 100% and stopped cycling through the display screens on the first option of the battery.I thought no big deal Ill just reverse what I did.Does anyone know how I restore the BMS back to factory? How bad did i screw this up?

[@hmtechsvc]

excellent review excellent price!

[@ronbridegroom8428]

Good review and an interesting product.

[@twloughlin]

Good stuff!

[@typxxilps]

1.000 $ is expensive at least for us here in the EU. Here the usual rack battery of 15 kWh is about 2000€ which is 2200$ incl. vat based on a seplos case and EVE LF280K as diy kit.

[@LithiumSolar]

You're talking about DIY batteries. This is not a DIY battery.

[@LithiumSolar]

Also, we'll be taking a look at one of those kits here very soon :) :)

[@beebop9808]

Comparing DIY, I'm sitting on 48 shiny new 304ah EVE cells and JK 200a, 2a active balancing on board. That's 45kwh delivered for $4900 bucks US. Tough to beat on this side of the pond. I'll ordering another round of the same before the week ends. Most aren't cut out for DIY on that level. Just hate to see them get raked over the coals by the vultures on a lot of this stuff.

[@greenfrog58]

What batteri is that?

[@aussie2uGA]

@@beebop9808 I wonder if much of the price difference is due to currency conversion rates? The value of the dollar is diminishing quickly.

[@amio_roseto1]

Great Video

[@Powerwinoffical]

so fantastic video .could i know whether you have interested in testing our powerwin battery ? we have 12v 100ah ,12 v 200ah and 51.2v 100ah LiFePo4 battery ?

[@igorkvachun3572]

Yes akb👍 ⚡🔋💡

[@slimanus8m]

Lithium Solar is back baby

[@LithiumSolar]

I didn't realize I had left lol?

[@slimanus8m]

@@LithiumSolar It felt like it... Some time has passed

[@LithiumSolar]

@@slimanus8m Life... Not enough hours in the day :)

[@sspyder181]

I use smart 100 and 300 jbd bms and they are nice

[@ahaveland]

Approaching affordability, but still no shipping to EU, which is strange considering the cells originate in China.

[@mflo1970]

No lo veo tan mal de precio aqui en europa 100amp valen 1400e en baterias comerciales ,ese precio hace 5 años tenias 50amp pylontech

[@passerau]

This is a 5kwh battery, just $300 cheaper compared to other competitors.

[@phiphilooping5396]

Bonjour j'ai branché un panneau solaire 300w sur une Jackery 1000 pro et elle ne s'allume plus avez vous une idée qu'es ce qui a pu lâché à l'intérieur merci et aussi à la communauté si elle a une idée Cordialement

[@suzannenoel3078]

This is new to me. What's the difference between a racked battery and regular battery

[@ahaveland]

One can be mounted in a rack. 🙂

[@ahaveland]

@@gridlessbob993 Racks are almost always the standard 19" as far as I know.

[@LithiumSolar]

That's pretty much the difference lol. It's designed to fit in a standard 19" rack - though you'll likely need one made for batteries specifically or find some heavy-duty rails (maybe APC rails).

[@2muchtime26]

​@@LithiumSolar I have 4 of these batteries and built a rack with 2x4s and used unistrut as the rails... cheap and easy to do

[@EatingWild]

Love mine

[@andrewbeach1685]

Is it UL listed.

[@LithiumSolar]

No

[@Raphael_Hofmann]

I have to say...not too bad actually

[@quickquote1568]

Does it provide active cell balancing?

[@LithiumSolar]

No, passive balancing.

[@luiscastillo861]

By the way I meant to ask you. Is this battery 0.5C or 1C rated??

[@LithiumSolar]

1C, specs are mentioned in like the first minute of the video

[@luiscastillo861]

@@LithiumSolar ok Thank you

[@diyEVguy]

Balancing start at 3.3Vpc: Seems incorrect to me, should be much higher.

[@LithiumSolar]

Your missing part of the equation there. Balancing starts at 3.30V when there's a cell difference of 0.15V or more.

[@jec_ecart]

@@LithiumSolar you never balance in the flat zone. There's a lot to learn mate

[@LithiumSolar]

​@@jec_ecart It's apparent that you have some learning to do yourself there.

[@jec_ecart]

@@LithiumSolar why don't you watch some proper KZbinrs like off grid garage or read up some white papers on why you never balance so low. But all see is you being brash and try to throw your weight around. Mate there's nothing wrong in accepting that you have overlooked something.

[@NeverTakeNoShortcuts]

All the OCD people will freak out there is no comms.

[@LithiumSolar]

Maybe, but I see the people going on about "you don't need comms blah blah" are now absent on this video haha

[@NeverTakeNoShortcuts]

@@LithiumSolar The issue I have with closed loop is that it's great when the batteries in your bank are all the same, but if one goes bad and the vendor stops producing that model, you have to frankenbattery it anyway. It's only going to be truly useful, I think if (and that's a big IF) all BMS communicated exactly the same way so you could mix and match batteries.

[@PlexMulti]

I like your videos

[@HighTechLab]

Shipping over 70 lbs via ground (not pallet freight) is illegal. Not nice to see they are breaking the law to save a few bucks.

[@LithiumSolar]

I know you've mentioned this before. Some of the larger batteries I receive ground ARE properly labeled too. I'm not sure and am not well-versed in the shipping rules enough to comment really.

[@LithiumSolar]

@@gridlessbob993 The box that I received mine in has a lithium battery sticker on it (with an emergency phone number), a standard "no cargo aircraft" sticker, and is properly declared as 112lbs on the label. This is FedEx ground. It appears to be properly shipped as far as I can tell?

[@jtnoodle]

Whoa. What's with the cells being that unbalanced?

[@LithiumSolar]

What do you mean? They're pretty much as balanced as you can get for a new battery that's never been cycled. That's what the BMS is for, balancing...

[@JonOffgrid]

😮

[@thebuckeyedan]

Did I make the first comment?

[@LithiumSolar]

Yep, not counting the two adult-oriented spams that were deleted! Ha.

[@boringsoftware2093]

dude for below ~1500 + 100 for JKBMS one can build a 4320Ah = 15kWh 48V LiFePo4 with EVE so #wtf

[@LithiumSolar]

"one can build" < there's the differentiating factor, YOU have to build it.

[@boringsoftware2093]

@@LithiumSolar yeah well X-D does it come with auto heating at least? :D

[@boringsoftware2093]

@@LithiumSolar also might have noticed that 280Ah EVE sometimes only have 270Ah so calculated with 16*270Ah

[@LithiumSolar]

@@boringsoftware2093 I wouldn't buy those cells then if they're new 280Ah testing at 270Ah. That's not right...

[@boringsoftware2093]

@@LithiumSolar it is lack of quality control from the manufacturer AND the vendor X-D (yes won't buy NEVER EVER form this vendor again, every serious battery vendor imho needs to ship a protocol, what is the real capacity of every cell... if not it might be scam imho)

[@FBall-im8ui]

not cheap rather inexpensive choose your words to compliment the item pls Will Prowse uses the same terminoligy "CHEAP" which makes products sound "CHEAP" which means crap

[@LithiumSolar]

No, "cheap" does not mean "crap". "Feces" would be a good synonym to "crap". The word "cheap" can be defined as "adj. low in price; worth more than its cost" which is precisely what is shown here.

[@a68k_de]

lol cheapest components and how much do they ask? rofl

[@LithiumSolar]

Is that some kind of question or...?

[@chuxxsss]

Blue is threadlock. Well presented, mate.

[@jec_ecart]

This is not what we call cheap. Intact it seems overpriced.

[@LithiumSolar]

Over-priced? He must be dreaming or something...

[@jec_ecart]

@@LithiumSolar come to my place & try dreaming....

[@LithiumSolar]

@@jec_ecart Thanks for the invite, but I'll pass.....

[@chuxxsss]

Sounds like I need to check them out on my new system being fitted today.

[@tyronvandermerwe2367]

I need help with a system, can you help?

[@LithiumSolar]

Sorry, but I do not do project consultation.