You may have heard of LiFePO4 batteries, but do you know what they really are? Well, for starters, they’re green battery technology that’s fairly recent, with the first LiFePO4 batteries hitting the markets in 1996.
The important part is really in the name – the LFPO in LiFePO4 is short for Lithium Ferro Phosphate and this battery technology is a HUGE game changer. The easiest way to think of them is that they are the next step up from Lithium Ion batteries, which last longer, are made with common materials (no shortage of iron), and which are 100% recyclable.
Founded in 2002, Eco-Worthy manufactures solar panels and other renewable energy products, and LiFePO4 batteries are definitely among the most popular of their offerings. So, what do you get with this new generation of batteries that’s so special?
In today’s review, we’ll tell you what these batteries promise – and what they actually deliver!
JUMP TO:
Is the Eco-Worthy LiFePO4 Lithium Battery Right for You?
One of the biggest problems with ‘going green’ is the reliability of the technology. After all, most of the world seems to have come very late to the idea that we might want to take care of our own environment, and as such, a lot of modern green tech is certainly green, but hardly efficient.
The LiFePO4 Lithium Ferro Phosphate technology, however, is definitely an exception. If you are looking for a power source that is not only 100% recyclable but which blows other batteries out of the water with its performance, then the Eco-Worthy LiFePO4 battery is just about perfect.
While they can be more expensive, this is definitely a case of ‘you get what you pay for’, and what you are paying for is a battery that looks just like the ones you’re already used to, but which is eco-friendly and a performance workhorse.
Simply put, this technology is for campers, RV owners, and other folks who want a high-performance battery that they can put into place and not have to worry about.
The proof is in the pudding, however, so we’ll tell you what we liked about these batteries and you can see for yourself – this isn’t just ‘green’ technology, this is SUPERIOR technology, and it’s good enough that your friends are going to want one too when they’ve seen just what Eco-Worthy LiFePO4’s can really do.
What We Like About the Eco-Worthy LiFePO4 Lithium Battery
LiFePO4 batteries are pretty much the paragon of Lithium Ion technology and the performance is out of this world. For one thing, they’re safer – the composition of the batteries is less prone to combustion and to thermal runaway.
They are also capable to being discharged or charged quickly without damage to the battery and speaking of charge, they can deliver the levels of current that you need for powering high-performance machines.
They last longer, too. To give you a better idea of where they are on the tech scale, we need to look at cycles. A battery cycle is when you use up ALL of the power in a battery – it’s not a single recharge session, but rather the estimated number of times that you can fully drain and recharge a battery.
For rechargeable acid and lead batteries, that’s about 300 cycles, and with lithium-ion batteries you’re looking at around 2000 cycles. Eco-Worthy LifePO4 batteries, however, can last for 3000 – 5000 cycles! That’s a SERIOUS upgrade in the longevity of your battery and in you’re camping or on the road, that’s the kind of reliability that you want.
The final perks that we liked for these batteries were the environmental friendliness of them and the temperature performance range. As far as the ‘green’ goes, aren’t made with toxic materials such as cobalt, but rather common and sustainable ones like iron. They are also 100% recyclable.
As far as the temperature ranges, Eco-Worthy LiFePO4 batteries are designed to work in a wide range of temperatures. You’ll need to check the stats on the specific battery you are getting, but they are designed to perform in very low and very high temperatures when you need them the most.
What We Don’t Like About the Eco-Worthy LiFePO4 Lithium Battery
Now that companies like Eco-Worthy have been providing these batteries for a while, availability is not a problem, but that doesn’t mean that these batteries don’t have their own caveats. In the case of LifePO4 batteries, there are really only 2 disadvantages to speak of – their price in comparison to other batteries and the required density for meeting their charge parameters.
These batteries DO cost most and as such, they aren’t going to be a perfect fit for everyone. That said, we would recommend that you check how many cycles you get from the cheaper alternatives – usually they’ll translate it into an estimated use-time, and then compare to the cycles you get from a LiFePO4 – in our opinion, the superior battery life alone is well worth the investment.
The second problem that you should be aware of is the battery density. LiFePO4 batteries are efficient, but because of the materials involved, they have a lower energy density, which just means that they need a little more space to store the same amount of charge as lighter, less-efficient batteries.
If you’re camping, a little extra weight is something that you’ll need to think about, but for RV owners this may well be a non-issue.
Pros & Cons of the Eco-Worthy LiFePO4 Lithium Battery
PROS | CONS |
1000-3000 more charge cycles than standard lithium batteries | Heavier than standard lithium-ion alternatives |
May be charged and discharged quickly, making them safer and compatible for high performance machinery | May be charged and discharged quickly, making them safer and compatible for high-performance machinery |
Safe operation in very hot or cold temperatures (varies by model) | |
Models for every need – Camping, RV, Off-Grid living | |
100% recyclable and made of sustainable materials |
What’s included?
When you purchase an Eco-Worthy battery, here’s what you can expect to get:
- 1 12, 24, or 4-volt battery
- Any accessories specifically stated for your package
As we are reviewing Eco-Worthy’s LifePO4 offerings, rather than one specific battery or energy package, you’ll need to check the details as to what your selected offering contains. It’s basically like purchasing any battery, though – you’ll need to obtain a charger if your package doesn’t come with one.
Eco-Worthy batteries may be charged one of 3 ways – An Eco-Worthy charger of the appropriate voltage, a Solar panel with a charge controller, or a Generator and a DC-DC charger. You’ll need to check with your vendor in order to find which charger will best fit your lifestyle and needs.
Features
With an Eco-Worth LifePO4 battery for your required voltage needs, you’re going to get the following:
- Longer lasting batteries – 3000+ cycles (depending on the model)
- Battery Management System/BMS – Eco-Worthy batteries incorporate a safety system designed to prevent overcharging, over-discharging, and short circuits, and which incorporates battery-cell balance tech to extend the life of your battery.
- Wide applications – These batteries can power whatever you need, with 24-volt models powering things like fish finders, or larger items like gate openers, pumps, or even an electric scooter. Larger 24-48 voltage models can power off-grid systems, golf carts, and more.
- Minimal Eco footprint – It’s not every day you see 100% recyclable batteries, but here they are. They’re made largely with iron, which we have in abundance, and with their increased cycle time and their safe disposal aspects, they are a renewable energy option that you can count on.
Probably the easiest way to think about them is just to consider your current lithium-ion batteries, but with enormously enhanced life cycles and without the ‘mess’ that comes from disposing of lithium-ion. If we had to sum it up succinctly, we’d probably just say ‘Slightly heavier than most batteries, but next-level in performance’. This is off-grid tech that you won’t need to replace anytime soon.
Final breakdown
With Eco-Worthy LiFePO4 lithium phosphate batteries, you’re getting green, renewable energy that has finally caught up with modern battery tech – so much so, that we’re giving them a 9 out of 10 rating and we’ll tell you why.
Starting off, these batteries have a substantial boost in cycle use, and they perform in the temperature ranges that you expect and require from an off-grid style battery.
Next, they incorporate a Battery Management system to help prevent short circuits, overcharging, and other common scenarios that can impact your batteries performance and lifecycle.
Finally, they are 100% recyclable and sourced from sustainable materials. We won’t be running out of iron anytime soon, after all, so these batteries are definitely some next-level green tech that you can bank on.
We didn’t give it a 10 because the tech, while fantastic, is still a little heavier, and even a little bit of extra weight can be a dealbreaker for some. We recommend that you check the product weight before you commit, however, as it’s not that huge a difference – just enough that we felt we should mention it.
The other reason it doesn’t get a 10 is that these batteries do cost a little more, as this sort of tech is still new, but if you don’t mind spending a little more to get a camping, RV, or off-grid living power supply that you get SUBSTANTIALLY more mileage off of, then the Eco-Worth LiFePO4 comes highly recommended!
Users who will be powering smaller items should go with one of the 12-volt models, which are good for smaller trolling motors, scooters, fish finders, and other low-impact gear, while those who will need a little higher performance should consider the 24 and 48-volt options.
The easiest way to put it would be that a 12-volt battery takes up less space and should be sufficient for up to 3000-watt power requirements, while a 24-volt option can support larger solar arrays and give you better control over speed with trolling motors and other high-performance gear.
48 volts will cover wattage needs of 3000-10,000 watts (but check the battery you are considering for the final word, as Eco-Worthy has an appreciable range).
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this review of Eco-Worthy LiFePO4 batteries and until next time, we wish you and yours the very best!
Read Also:
The Ultimate Guide to LiFePO4 Batteries Reviews
LiTime Battery Review: Are They Right For You?