TimeUSB 100AH 12.8V Pro LiFePO4 Battery Review

[FuzzyGrub]

I ordered and received a pair of these batteries a few weeks ago. I have been busy at camp, but home for a few days now.

Paid just a little over $200 each with free shipping. They arrived very promptly and packaged very well. Documentation was also very good and not your typical Chinese to English translation.

Currently, have been using Group 27DC Lead-Acid batteries. They weigh in at 51lbs each. The TimeUSB are only 22.3lbs each but have a larger footprint of 13" x 7". That is a 57.4lb savings for our jet boat.

I started a discharge test on one battery today using an old incadesent fog light. This is just to make sure the Ah rating is close to spec. I have had an issue with a smaller LiFePO4, being much less then advertised

PS: If you are local, I have the LA batteries up for sale on FB Marketplace. 2 1/2 year old, well maintained batteries for half the cost of new.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Documentation

 

[FuzzyGrub]

I got a kick out of the decals!

 

[FuzzyGrub]

The LA batteries sold.

The first discharge test should end around 4pm today. I have a camera on it that will detect when the light goes out. The fog light draws 3.5 amps. The housing on it gets pretty hot. When I tested the 20aH battery, used two in series for 1.75 amp draw.

Been working out how I will rearrange the console with the larger footprint batteries.

Initially was just going to get new larger battery trays. Now I’m thinking of using the packing foam they shipped with, to make a “shock” mount, with just “good” straps that have SS buckles and mounts.

 

[thill]

When I did the same, Time USB recommended that I cycle the battery a few times before doing a full melt-down capacity test. Let the battery break in a little before fully discharging. If not, hopefully, the BMS does it's job and shuts it down before damage occurs.

These are not like lead acid batteries, where they have their highest capacity when new, and it only goes down from there. If you take care of them, they gain a little after the first few cycles, and then stay there for years, if you don't fully discharge them too much.

In the end, I decided to look at a number of YouTube videos where guys do grueling tests and even tear the batteries apart, rather than damage batteries that I would be relying on.

Will be watching to see what you think, but mine have been AWESOME. One of these easily doubles the capacity of my previous LA batteries, which weren't bad, by the way. These are just another level.

Have you seen the new 100AH Group 24 footprint model? Same capacity, just more compact. I might get a pair for my little boat eventually.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

When I did the same, Time USB recommended that I cycle the battery a few times before doing a full melt-down capacity test. Let the battery break in a little before fully discharging. If not, hopefully, the BMS does it's job and shuts it down before damage occurs.

These are not like lead acid batteries, where they have their highest capacity when new, and it only goes down from there. If you take care of them, they gain a little after the first few cycles, and then stay there for years, if you don't fully discharge them too much.

In the end, I decided to look at a number of YouTube videos where guys do grueling tests and even tear the batteries apart, rather than damage batteries that I would be relying on.

Will be watching to see what you think, but mine have been AWESOME. One of these easily doubles the capacity of my previous LA batteries, which weren't bad, by the way. These are just another level.

Have you seen the new 100AH Group 24 footprint model? Same capacity, just more compact. I might get a pair for my little boat eventually.

I did the same test on the 20ah one I use for electronics. I am not seeing any degradation or from what I can tell, no significant enough increase to notice.

I have been monitoring the voltage. If it it reaches 10V and BMS doesn't kick in, than that is a problem.

While I didn't call/contact TimeUSB, did not see any verbage of that in their documentation.

Of course they are making a smaller one now. I just bought the bigger one!

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

I'm considering these to power a minivan / mini rv conversion. Weight is not as much as an issue in a van, but I am consciences of it.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

The battery went off after 25 hours. Unplugged the fog light, and voltage went to 9.9v. BMS is working. I had remeasured the current draw. It was not the 3.5A I reported above. It was 4.18A. So it produced a little over the 100Ah rating! . Battery is now recharged, and will run it down some, for storage. The second battery is under test now.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

The second battery went for 15 minutes longer than the first. When load was removed it came back to 9.5V, which is a little lower than the other. Might explain the 15 minute difference.

Anyway, looks like I got two good batteries to install. Given we never ran into issues with the 80Ah LA batteries, these true 100Ah ones would easily last us two full days of fishing.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

They are $200 now, and get another 5% with FB5 discount code. TimeUSB 128V Pro 100Ah

 

[thill]

I just saw that on Prime day they will be $175
July 16 and 17

 

[LDUBS]

Guys, if I buy one of these, it apparently comes with 30% to 50% charge. Can I just charge it up and start using it, or are these test steps needed?

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Guys, if I buy one of these, it apparently comes with 30% to 50% charge. Can I just charge it up and start using it, or are these test steps needed?

Yes, if you have a comparable charger. FWIW: Mine came nearly full charged.

 

[Tin Man]

Guys, if I buy one of these, it apparently comes with 30% to 50% charge. Can I just charge it up and start using it, or are these test steps needed?

IIRC...my LiTime batts required a discharge and charge to prepare them for use. Was pretty easy to get them prepared. The preparation instructions can be found on respective batts websites so you can be prepared when you receive them. I've read that since they are actually a tad over 25V (when combined), you need to avoid running in the #8-10 speeds on 24V TMs. Not sure how accurate this info is.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Guys, if I buy one of these, it apparently comes with 30% to 50% charge. Can I just charge it up and start using it, or are these test steps needed?

If you had a 24/36V set-up, there is a balancing procedure before hooking them up in series. Since you mentioned one battery, I assumed just a 12V set-up.

FWIW: I currently have 8awg wiring, and might upgrade to 6awg and a heavier, 70A, plug. Mainly because I have it all apart and easier to do now.

 

[thill]

My TimeUSB came about 90% charged, so I just topped them off. 30-50% charge is how you store them.

If you are going to use a pair, you want to charge then wire them together (+to+, -to-) overnight to balance them. Then they are ready to go. Balancing them makes them act like a single battery, with current flowing from both evenly. I think it's more for the BMS to sync and work together, but I don't know that for sure.

 

[LDUBS]

My knowledge of batteries is pretty much there is a black plastic box with terminals on it (OK, I might be exaggerating a little, but not much ). I clearly have a lot to learn about the use and maintenance of a LI battery. I wouldn't even know how to get it to 50% capacity. With the current AGM battery, I just plug in the smart charger after a day on the water.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

My TimeUSB came about 90% charged, so I just topped them off. 30-50% charge is how you store them.

If you are going to use a pair, you want to charge then wire them together (+to+, -to-) overnight to balance them. Then they are ready to go. Balancing them makes them act like a single battery, with current flowing from both evenly. I think it's more for the BMS to sync and work together, but I don't know that for sure.

It certainly might be the BMS. While it would equalizes the voltages, they would not be perfect on the recharge.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

My knowledge of batteries is pretty much there is a black plastic box with terminals on it (OK, I might be exaggerating a little, but not much ). I clearly have a lot to learn about the use and maintenance of a LI battery. I wouldn't even know how to get it to 50% capacity. With the current AGM battery, I just plug in the smart charger after a day on the water.

I’m going to put some of those voltage/capacity meters on them. I don’t think they are that accurate, but I want to have some eyes on them. While it will take some discipline to break my years of practice of charging right after, will now charge the day before the trip. Theoretically, it should be near half capacity or close enough, after a day of fishing.

 

[thill]

These batteries have such a high capacity, I rarely get them down to 50% during a single trip. It is VERY strange not keeping them topped up, but I'm starting to relax and not worry about them.

Glad your batteries passed the test! They are awesome.

It certainly might be the BMS. While it would equalizes the voltages, they would not be perfect on the recharge.

Yes, equalizing and making them act as one battery BEFORE adding the load is the goal, according the manufacturer's instructions.