Redodo battery and accessories review | usagoldmines.com

Premium portable power stations usually offer a capacity upgrade path by adding battery modules similar in size to the base unit.

Changing other features, such as the charging rate or the inverter power, is usually impossible. If you eventually need more output power, you need to buy a new unit.

The Redodo battery and its supporting system change this paradigm, allowing users to build a power station and later extend the inverter or battery charging capacity.

Redodo’s battery unit delivers 165 Ah at 12V, equivalent to 2 kWh of usable power, and uses LiFePO4 chemistry instead of lithium-ion, providing over 4,000 charge cycles before a 20% capacity drop.

Operating temperature range is -20 to 60 degrees Celsius, with an IP65 water-resistant rating. At 15kg and measuring only 33 cm x 17 cm x 22 cm, the battery is small compared to units offering similar capacity.

Redodo 165 Ah Battery: Price and Availability

The reviewed Redodo 12V 165Ah battery retails for $499 and is usually on special for $370. The companion 40A battery charger adds an extra $260, while the battery monitor costs $100 and improves battery usage.

Without an AC power inverter, the battery can only supply 12V to small appliances such as a portable fridge. Adding a 120V 3000W inverter will cost an extra $570. The highest-capacity battery offered by Redodo is the 48V 5.12kWh model at $1700.

Redodo 165 Ah Battery: Design

The Redodo battery ships in a heavy-duty dual packaging carton box surrounded by high-density foam. The tested battery is a Group 31-class unit, measuring 33cm x 17cm x 22cm and weighing 15kg. The only included accessory is a small card that links to the mobile application.

The battery, housed in an IP65 ABS enclosure, has a single top strap that serves as a handle. The working temperature ranges from -20 to 60 degrees Celcius. Charging, on the other hand, can only happen at 0 degrees Celcius and above. The cells used are LFP EV type with a reliability that can reach 15000 charge cycles or over 10 years of usage.

The 12V 165Ah battery outputs 12.8V with an internal resistance of 40 mOhm, which results in a maximum output power of 2.1kW. The charging current can reach 165A, for a charge time of approximately one hour. To prevent heat buildup, the manufacturer recommends charging the battery at a slower rate of 33A, which increases charge time to five hours. Two M8 bolts built into the case serve as positive and negative terminals and must be tightened to the correct torque.

Several accessories are required to use the lithium battery. Redodo’s battery monitor provides voltage, current, and cell capacity information, and protects against over-discharging with an alarm. The illuminated LCD screen is suitable for reading in dark conditions. The 12V battery charger we tested is a 40A unit that is very noisy and charges slightly above the recommended rate.

Redodo 165 Ah Battery: In Use

Redodo’s mobile app, available on both Android and iOS platforms, connects to the battery via Bluetooth using a QR code. The charge level, output voltage, current, and power are all available in real-time. The unit’s Bluetooth module can be turned off using the app, thereby saving energy. Bluetooth is automatically enabled when the battery is charging.

Installation consists of connecting wires to the battery terminals, charger, AC inverter, and monitor, with all except the latter connected in parallel. The monitor has a low-side sensor that connects in series to the negative battery terminal. The monitor supports up to 500A at its input and features a high-resolution display. Using the monitor is optional, as all critical battery information is also available in the mobile app.

The ideal setup is with solar panels and an AC inverter, which will initially bypass the battery entirely if enough solar power is available to the inverter. Any surplus energy is stored in the battery cells. Conversely, the battery provides additional power if the solar panels are insufficient to power connected appliances. A modular design is advantageous if the user eventually wants to double or triple the output power or change battery capacity.

The Redodo 12V battery uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which offers higher thermal stability than conventional lithium-ion chemistry, reducing the risk of thermal runaway. The 165A BMS enforces over 20 protections, including overcharge, overcurrent, and short-circuit cutoffs, as well as a low-temperature charging lockout at 0°C to prevent cell damage. The IP65-rated ABS enclosure adds water and dust resistance, making it well-suited for marine and outdoor installations.

Redodo 165 Ah Battery: Competition

We tested the LiTime 320Ah battery some time back, and its smaller 165Ah sibling is equivalent to the current Redodo unit under test. The LiTime offering comes with similar Bluetooth connectivity and specifications but costs 10% more.

Redodo 165 Ah Battery: Final Verdict

The Redodo 12V 165Ah lithium battery fits well in a versatile modular power solution, offering exceptional capacity in a compact format.

Backed by an LFP chemistry, a solid BMS, Bluetooth monitoring, and expandability up to 33kWh, it is well-suited for RV, marine, and off-grid applications.

While a full system can be expensive due to inverter and charger accessories, the long cycle life and upgrade flexibility make it a great long-term investment.

Buy the Redodo solution if you expect to increase capacity or power later.

Don’t buy the Redodo solution if you are looking for a turnkey solution.

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