Lion Energy- Safari UT 1300 LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery - 105Ah 12v with 1,344WH and a Built-in BMS - 3500+ Deep Cycle Rechargeable Battery - Perfect for RV/Camper, Marine, Overland/Van

I like that these batteries fit in the same footprint as the lead acid batteries I’m replacing. However, the terminals are higher, and I accidentally shorted the positive to the ground lug on the battery box cover. I covered the batteries with the rubber sheet for now. I bought these thinking that these were Bluetooth enabled, but they are not; the Bluetooth enabled version has a BT at the end of the part number so now I need to buy a shunt battery monitor which will run about $200.

Buried somewhere in the manual is a note that says DO NOT leave these batteries outside in freezing temperatures. I use this battery for a camping trailer and leave it in the plastic box on top of the trailer tongue locked up. One morning the temp froze over night and I woke up to no power. The Battery was completely dead. I called the help desk and they told me of a trick I could do to shock the system back to life. According to the attendant there are some kind of computer chips regulating a system under the hood of the battery. (Doesn't make sense to me) but it worked. I'm just surprised this isn't advertised as I could have potentially destroyed the $450 battery. Also, if you love communist China then this battery is for you because that is where it is made.

I converted my Airstream Basecamp to Solar setup to lithium last summer. These batteries are super lightweight (44 pounds for two) compared to my old AGM batteries (112 pounds for two). They also fit perfectly into the factory battery box. I know that some folks seem to only go with Battleborn but I didn’t like the idea of having to leave off the lid of the battery box. It sits directly under some plumbing and could spell disaster if there were ever a leak. These batteries are sensitive and charge under ambient light….moonlight, streetlights, and even inside the storage shed that I have my trailer parked in. I assume that it is due to the prismatic type cells that are used: four large cells rather than 250 or so small cylindrical cells. Less wire means less resistance so these are very sensitive. They also do not require a heating device like some lithium batteries. These shut are smart enough to shut themselves down if the temperature gets too low or too high. There is a button on top to turn them back on. I have never had them shut down since they actually are installed on the inside of my trailer. I would buy these over anything out there.

I didn’t buy the UT 1300 on Amazon. Got the refurbished used one at the big RV show in Quartzsite, AZ this past January. Somehow I managed to kill the thing over the summer. Sure it was my fault. I called Lion Energy customer service and within 5 minutes he authorized a replacement new battery to be sent to me. 4 days later it arrived along with a prepaid container to return the old battery. I was flabbergasted that I got a new battery to replace a failed used battery…….no charge.

Very good battery. Lightweight. Exterior quality looks well made. Has BMS has over charge protections but no heater. I believe a 10-year warrantee too. Will Prowse on YT did a review 2 years ago on these Lion 1300. I found them for $700 + tax at a warehouse club Roadshow. Support is good. You have to request a call back online and they will text/call you in a timely manner.