Disclaimer: Siekon sent this product to us for free for a review. That does not affect our opinion about the product. In this article, we list both what we like and dislike. Read more about this here.
The Siekon 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery
Today, I’ll be reviewing a battery from Siekon, a company whose products I haven’t tested before.
They sent us their 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery, which is similar to other lithium batteries we’ve reviewed recently.
Check price at SiekonEnergy.com
I’ve thoroughly tested the battery to ensure it meets or exceeds its listed specifications and ratings.
Let’s start with the specifications before I present the test results.
Siekon 12V 100Ah – Specifications & Features
Battery Cells
The LiFePO4 battery cells used in this model are manufactured by EVE, a well-known producer of high-quality, reliable cells.
A key feature of the Siekon battery is its low-temperature protection, which prevents charging in temperatures below freezing (32°F/0°C). This safeguard is crucial because LiFePO4 cells are sensitive to charging in cold conditions.
Here are the safe temperature ranges provided by Siekon.
Charging: 32°F to 122°F (0°C to 50°C)
Discharging: -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C)
Storage: 14°F to 122°F (-10°C to 50°C)
Charging, discharging, or storing the battery outside of these temperature ranges can cause permanent damage.
Ratings – Ampere hours (amp hours) and watt-hours
The battery is rated at 100Ah, providing 1280Wh at 12.8V.
The maximum continuous charge and discharge current is also 100A, with a peak discharge of 300A for up to 5 seconds. The recommended charge current is 20A.
As with any battery, the state of charge varies based on several factors, but here are some approximate voltage-based estimates to gauge the battery’s charge level.
Safety features with built-in BMS
BMS stands for Battery Management System, a critical component in any battery as it safeguards the cells during charging and discharging.
In this model, the BMS protects against overcharging, low-temperature charging/discharging, over-discharging, and short circuits.
Cycle life
According to Siekon, this model can handle over 6,000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge (DOD) or 5,000+ cycles at 100% DOD. This means the battery will still retain 80% of its original capacity after 5,000 cycles. However, this lifespan can vary depending on the charging and discharging rates used.
Expandability
It supports a 4S4P configuration, meaning you can wire four sets of batteries in series and four sets in parallel, allowing for a total of 16 batteries. This setup would create a 48V battery system.
For a 12V system, such as in an RV, you’d need to use a parallel configuration to increase the amperage without altering the voltage.
Design and what’s included
The battery case is made from flame-retardant ABS plastic.
It features a detachable strap on top for easy carrying and transport.
The package includes four M8 bolts.
Size and weight
The battery weighs 24.25 lbs (10.9 kg) and measures 33.1 by 17.2 by 21.5 cm which means its a group 31 case.
Review And Test Results
What I Like
A lot of amp hours for the money
In a full capacity test at a 10A discharge rate, I achieved 106Ah, exceeding the rated 100Ah.
With a lifespan of over 6,000 cycles at 80% DOD, this battery offers excellent value for the money compared to lead-acid alternatives.
It performed flawlessly during extended discharge at the rated 100A, and I was able to discharge at 165A for several minutes without issues. While I don’t recommend exceeding the 100A rating, it is possible.
So much lighter than a 100Ah lead-acid battery
Lead-acid batteries are notoriously heavy and cumbersome, while LiFePO4 batteries are much lighter. This one weighs 24.25 lbs, but for comparison, a similar 100Ah 12V AGM battery weighs around 64 lbs.
The durability of LiFePO4 batteries
I’ve already mentioned the impressive cycle life of a LiFePO4 battery like this, but it’s worth emphasizing again. Not only are these cells more durable than lead-acid, but they also outlast the more commonly used Li-ion cells.
This battery successfully passed the low-temperature protection test, so I’d feel confident using it in freezing conditions.
What I Don’t Like
No built-in heating
While low-temperature protection is a valuable feature, the lack of built-in heating limits the battery’s usability in extended freezing conditions. You can still discharge the battery, but charging it in such environments becomes more challenging.
Group 31
While it’s not a particularly large battery, it is bigger than some of the other LiFePO4 models I’ve tested. If you’re considering using it in your RV, be sure to check that the dimensions will fit your battery storage space or battery box.
Please leave a comment down below if you have questions.
