This review dives deep into the AOKLY 150Ah LiFePO4 battery, examining its performance, build quality, and overall value. We put the battery through rigorous capacity testing, pushing it to its limits to determine its real-world performance against its advertised specifications. Beyond the capacity test, we also explored the battery's unique physical design, its internal construction, and the functionality of its Battery Management System (BMS). Our comprehensive analysis includes a detailed teardown to assess the internal components and their quality.This review aims to provide a balanced perspective, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of the AOKLY 150Ah LiFePO4 battery. We delve into the specifics of its capacity retention, build robustness, and the limitations of its safety features. Ultimately, we aim to help potential buyers make an informed decision by offering a complete picture of this particular LiFePO4 battery option on the market. Read on to discover our findings and see if the AOKLY 150Ah battery is the right choice for your needs.
Pros And Cons
- Achieved 99.2% of rated capacity (195 watt-hours out of a 1920 watt-hour rating).
- Well-matched cells with minimal voltage gradient after testing.
- Large (6 3/4" wide) gauge wires to terminals.
- Multi-position mounting.
- Inset terminals.
- High-density foam and spray foam for cell pack protection.
- Hexagonal hydraulic crimp with heat shrink tubing on terminals.
- RTV silicone securing terminal bolt.
- Oddball case size (19"L x 9 1/12"H x 6 3/4"W).
- Basic BMS with only high-temperature protection (no low-temperature protection or other sensors).
- Excessive use of expanding foam making internal access difficult.
- Basic manual with limited instructions.
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Capacity Test
The AOKLY 150Ah LiFePO4 battery underwent a rigorous capacity test. Initially, a full charge yielded a voltage of 14.18V. A consistent 30-31 amps load (around 470 watts) was applied for several hours. The test aimed to achieve the advertised 1920Wh capacity.
The test progressed to the halfway point, where a higher load was introduced to assess the Battery Management System (BMS) performance under stress. This momentary surge reached 107 amps, momentarily exceeding the inverter's capacity, triggering its overcurrent protection.
Despite the inverter tripping, the data collected up to that point showed a real-world capacity of 195Wh, a very close 99.2% of the rated capacity. This indicated excellent performance for the AOKLY battery in terms of capacity retention.
Physical Attributes and Specifications
The AOKLY 150Ah battery features a unique, slim case design. While unconventional for a 150Ah battery, its dimensions are 19 inches long, 9.5 inches tall, and 6.75 inches wide. This contrasts with more common, bulkier 150Ah and 200Ah battery cases.
The battery incorporates inset terminals for better protection and offers multi-position mounting flexibility, allowing for versatile installation options (excluding upside-down mounting). The included manual provides basic safety and charging guidelines, highlighting the importance of charging above freezing temperatures and mentioning 4S configurations.
Internal Construction and BMS Analysis
The teardown revealed a robust internal construction, featuring large 6 AWG silicone-jacketed leads for both positive and negative terminals, highlighting the battery's capacity for high current draw. High-density foam and spray foam were used extensively to secure the cell pack within the battery case.
The BMS, though appearing similar to a JBD, lacked the typical identifying data tag. A thermal switch was found to be the primary safety mechanism, suggesting basic high-temperature protection is the main safety feature. The reviewer’s attempts to fully remove the BMS to check for other safety mechanisms were unsuccessful due to the dense foam holding it in place.
Cell Balance and Final Thoughts
After the capacity test, cell balancing was checked. The cells exhibited a remarkably consistent voltage, indicating well-matched cells and excellent internal balance within the battery pack.
Overall, the AOKLY 150Ah LiFePO4 battery demonstrates a strong performance but has a few minor drawbacks. While the capacity test showed excellent results, the unusual case size and the basic BMS without additional safety features are areas that could be improved. The excessive use of spray foam makes maintenance difficult.
