Interesting stuff. A 2017 JoPS Pub states ... “Prismatic LMO cells, offer more opportunities for large cell formats with thicker electrodes, have more design flexibility, require less hardware, thus reducing hardware costs per kWh. NCA and NMC cells, using a prismatic format, are more rate-limited than LMO counterparts.” I can understand the reasoning re electrode thickness, stacked vs wound. For now, I still trust BMS moderated cylindrical cells, from what I read, over prismatic.
Eventually I would like to build a battery. Prismatic does offer the value to make it tempting. I hope to learn by following some of the build threads. Initially, by the time I looked into extra Ah storage, cylindrical cells were not a tremendous deal.
I was satisfied with my 2yr old purchased battery. And even though I really wanted to build one, for my canoe, it seemed like mostly a gamble with the cost of materials. I then came across a company using the same tech/construction as mine, a bit later in generation, but significantly similar & attractively priced. The original entrepreneur for both had been on the cutting edge with lithium possibilities in the auto industry. I can mix/match mine in parallel, 200Ah if needed, in a pinch.
For a singular review, as always, here is a Will Prowse forum post ... His look at the competitors for LiFePO4 batteries ...
“Victron battery is winston cells (that are cheaper) that need external regulation and management.
Simpliphi costs $500 more for the same Wh capacity as a battle born.
Lion energy is $50 cheaper than battle born, but uses cheaper cells and off the shelf bms
Kilovault seemed good at first, but looking at the case and some complaints emailed to me, seems cheap, and relabeled
Aliexpress drop in replacements use dirt cheap cells and bms, and no low temp cut off
Re-lion sells same size, same feature battery for $300-400 more
Trojan trillion is also overpriced and capacity rating figures are over exaggerated (they rate the capacity to 70%, not the typical 80%). And they are hard to find.
Renogy battery is cheaper quality, and relabeled for 100$ less than battle born with less safety certifications”.
“Imagine if DIY was not an option, and you just want a battery that works. Most people are going to just go for battle born.
The biggest reason I like battle born is that I never hear any complaints”.
“For months, I would have people randomly email me ruixu battery failures (like the one that was mailed to me for my video), low temp cut off absence, diy batteries being over charged or bms not properly installed. It drove me nuts. If someone buys a battleborn, they get the customer service to set it up, and if it fails, battleborn will replace it. Less stress for me at the end of the day, and less chance of someone catching their house on fire”.