LiFePO4 - SOK or Renogy.

Almot wrote:
Not looking for a big bank or high charge/discharge currents. Don't need charging below freezing. In Canada things become difficult/expensive.

Narrowed down to these 2:
1)SOK, 100AH, $CAD 975 +$5 S/H. Takes both series and parallel connections. Metal case, 4 plastic-looking cells inside, impressive looking BMS and wiring. Claims "replaceable BMS or cells" - and it is indeed possible to take apart and service only I have no idea where one could get those cells or BMS. Available at amazon.ca straight from China. 7 years warranty. Support reportedly exists. ***Link Removed***

2) Renogy, 100AH, $CAD 850, free S/H. Plastic case contains metal enclosure inside with many pouch cells, - so not much serviceable. Takes only parallel connections, but I don't need series anyway. This is a sale, Amazon have it at $CAD 1,200. 7 years warranty. Support exists and is spotty. Renogy make their own solar panels but I doubt they make batteries or electronics, must be a relabeled Chinese product: ***Link Removed***.

Importing Battleborn from the US at $CAD 1,200 + unknown S/H is out of my range. Assembled from Chinese cells like all others, though they do assembling work in the US. 10 years prorated warranty.

There is also Lifeblue at $CAD 975 + unknown S/H, maybe will look into those too - their BT monitoring is a nice feature. No idea what's inside. ***Link Removed***

Hi Almot,

I’m wondering if you made a decision and how it worked out.

I’ve been looking at the Renogy Smart Batteries but am discouraged by the terrible reviews of Renogy Canada. People on BBB and Trust Pilot say to avoid this company because the service is as bad as bad can be. That said, i am sooo tempted because I can drop in one or two batteries and use their $40 dedicated smart monitor to keep an eye on them.

SOK looks like a great battery. Their back orders should be caught up in June, Unfortunately, the unique shape of the batteries will not fit my battery compartment or this is the battery I would buy.

I can’t figure out Alberta Lithium. They resell an inexpensive rebranded Chinese battery. It’s impossible to know how good they are until someone does a tear down and review.

Canbat sells a rebranded battery too. The cost is higher. Folks on DIY Solar Forum say they are very responsive when you call. They sent a photo of the inside of the battery to a forum participant. It looks well made but a picture is not a tear down.

Canadian’s can buy Battle Born from Solacity $1193 + GST + unknown S/H. They also sell Enerwatt.

Battleborn and Renogy also sell heated batteries which use the charge current to warm the batteries prior to charging. They are quite new and there is an early adopter premium.

Anyway, curious how you made out.