Whether you are a first-time van lifer looking for power solutions to fuel your energy needs. Or you have been on the road for a few years and are looking for something a bit more powerful. Choosing a reliable and efficient power source to keep your adventures going are a must! After trialing both lead acid and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. We can confirm the best option for van life on the market is a 100ah LiFePO4 battery.
In the world of energy storage, the Goldenmate 12V 100AH LiFePO4 Battery holds its own as a promising solution for meeting all your needs for living life on the road. As we jump into the finer details of this 100ah LiFePO4 battery. We’ll discuss the key features and advantages that make it a solid choice for anyone seeking an optimal balance of performance, durability, versatility, and cost.
LiFePO4 isn’t the same as Lithium Ion
When we spoke with our uncle who is a firefighter captain, he warned us of stories of lithium ion batteries starting fires. We were a little worried about accepting some batteries for review. But that was before we knew that there was a difference between lithium ion and lithium iron phosphate batteries. Being that LiFePO4 batteries do not explode or catch fire like their lithium ion counterparts. With that hesitation out of the way, we accepted the Goldenmate LiFePO4 Battery.
We still knew we wanted to have a long trial period with the batteries, just to make sure nothing spooky would happen! Six months later, we’re happy to say, our van and electrical system are working great. We are now ready to give a full comprehensive battery review of the Goldenmate’s 12V 100ah LiFePO4 battery.
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HONESTY DISCLOSURE
Goldenmate batteries reached out to us back in June of 2023. They wanted us to test out their product in exchange for an honest review. We told them that it was perfect timing for them to be reaching out to us when they did. As we were already in the process of reading reviews and planning on making the switch from the heavy lead acid batteries to the 12V LiFePO4 Lithium Battery. We felt it was a great opportunity for both parties involved.
Goldenmate Sent us Batteries
We installed them, only with minor hiccups, and were on our way to our camp hosting job for the summer. We’ve been in our van full time since installing two of Goldenmate’s 12V 100ah LiFePO4 batteries. It has since been six months, in extremes of 100+ degrees and 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Driving from Oregon to Glacier National Park, and beautiful British Columbia, then down to Southern California. We’ve been in some of the most direct sunlight to the most cloudy overcast rainy days for days on end.
These Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Batteries certainly represent unparalleled performance and versatility. Continue reading below to find out why.
Key Benefits of a 100ah lifepo4 battery
Performance
- Over 10x cycle life (4,000-15,000+)
- Unaffected by memory effect
Protection
- Comprehensive protection
- Exceptional self-discharge rate
Wide Applications
- Energy density and prolonged cycle life
Expansion
- Series or parallel configuration
- Connect up to 4 batteries
Charging
- Effortless recharge options
- LiFePO4 battery charger (5Hrs)
- solar panel+MPPT (1 full sunny day with 600w)
- generator (5Hrs)
- Supports 50A maximum charge output
Durable
- Tough exterior with ABS plastic casing
- Vibration resistant
Temperature
- Resistance to high and low temperatures
Lightweight
- Up to 75% lighter than its lead-acid counterpart
More Usable Energy
- Up to 40% more than lead-acid
- Up to 100% depletion
Cost
- Typically see higher upfront costs
- Replace less often
- Prices are continually dropping
Environmentally Better
- Contains no acid or heavy metals like Cadmium, Lead, or Mercury
- Replace less often
- Stable and non-combustable
100ah lifepo4 battery has Superior Performance
Extended Cycle Life
The utilization of top-notch lithium batteries contributes to over 10 times the cycle life compared to traditional lead-acid batteries (which is what we used to have). This means the Goldenmate 12V 100ah LiFePO4 battery can endure anywhere between 4000-15000+ cycles, providing exceptional longevity. For example, if you go through a full lithium battery charge every day, day after day, it would have a life span of around 40 years! However, as one reviewer on Amazon.com stated, “[they] are a little concerned about the spread in battery cycles”.
Why is there an 11,000-cycle spread?
We are not battery engineers or chemists, but I can bet many factors contribute to a battery manufacturer coming up with that number. Regardless, even at the minimum 4,000 cycles stated, equating to nearly 10 years of use. It is still a long time and outlives the typical lifespan of a lead acid battery which sits at around 200 cycles. That is something we can get on board with. When we had the lead acid batteries, we started to see a decrease in performance–regarding the amount of use we got out of each cycle–after only having the batteries for two years.
Memory Effect Resistance
Unlike lead-acid batteries, the LiFePO4 chemistry in Goldenmate’s battery is unaffected by the memory effect. This unique characteristic allows the battery to charge and discharge without experiencing a reduction in capacity over time. Van lifers and anyone else out there using the 12v 100ah LiFePO4 battery can consistently rely on the battery’s full capacity, ensuring reliable performance throughout its lifespan–no matter what stress and load you put on them.
Unparalleled Reliability
The use of advanced lithium technology ensures unparalleled reliability in energy storage. This reliability is especially crucial for applications in van life vehicles such as campervans and RVs, marine applications, golf carts, trolling motors, home energy storage, computer power backup, emergency lighting, and various off-grid scenarios.
Note on Starting 100ah LiFePO4 Battery Limitation
While excelling in deep cycle applications, it’s important to note that the 100ah LiFePO4 battery from Goldenmate is not designed to be used as a starting battery. Its optimal performance is in scenarios where frequent, deep discharges are expected.
100% Protection
The Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery comes equipped with a robust Battery Management System (BMS) that provides 100% protection against potential risks like overcharging, over-discharge, over-current, thermal protection, and short-circuiting. Guaranteeing a safe and healthy long life ahead!
Here are the key components of the 100% protection offered by Goldenmate’s BMS in their 12v LiFePO4 batteries.
Overcharging Protection
The BMS continuously monitors the charging process and prevents overcharging from ever happening, which could lead to overheating and damaging the battery cells. This built-in protective feature helps the battery to be charged most optimally, without exceeding a safe voltage.
Over-Discharge Protection
To prevent excessive discharge, the BMS safeguards the battery from discharging beyond a pre-programmed threshold. Over-discharging can harm the battery’s lifespan, and the protection feature ensures the battery remains within safe operating limits.
Over-Current Protection
The BMS monitors the current flowing in and out of the battery. Similar to a surge protector for your computer. If there is a sudden increase in current, indicating an over-current situation, the protection system jumps in to prevent potential damage to the battery. Thus, protecting the 100ah LiFePO4 battery every step of the way!
High and Low-Temperature Protection
Built-in temperature sensors along with the BMS detect any rise or drop in temperature beyond a safe operating level. If for any reason the temperature rises beyond 122˚F or below 32˚F, the protection system takes over and adjusts the charging rate or temporarily interrupts the charging process, to avoid the risk of thermal damage.
Short-Circuit Protection
The BMS is constantly guarding the batteries from short circuits, a potentially hazardous situation that could lead to rapid discharge or even damage to the battery. In the case of a short circuit, the BMS immediately intervenes and helps maintain the integrity and safety of the battery.
Exceptional Self-Discharge Rate
The battery features an exceptional self-discharge rate, allowing it to maintain its charge for an extended period without being connected to a power source. This ensures that the battery remains ready for use even after prolonged periods of storage. Furthermore, this is an optimal feature for people who store their vehicles for extended periods; and are not in their rigs full time!
The manufacturer claims that with the exceptional self-discharge rate, the batteries can be stored for up to 1 year without the need for maintenance after being fully charged.
Our Experience With The 100ah LiFePO4 Battery
We had been in full sun day in and day out with minimal use of our batteries. Unknowingly, we used the 12v 100ah deep cycle batteries to complete zero.
Next, we had been in temperatures of 100˚F while driving, generating even higher thermal conduction in the battery box.
Then, we had been in freezing temperatures of below 32˚F for days on end.
With all these factors and scenarios, we can confidently say that the batteries are operating the same and maintaining the same 13.1 volts today as they did the day we got them in June ’23.
Various Real-World Applications
There are many real-world scenarios and applications the Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery is capable of being used in.
For example, it can be used in wheelchairs, emergency lighting, RVs, marine, golf carts, trolling motors, home energy storage, and more. However, for the sake of this review, we are focusing on our six-month experience of using the battery in our self converted minivan campervan.
Easy to Expand
The Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 deep cycle battery is a versatile battery providing users with the convenience of easy expansion through an in-series or in-parallel configuration. This flexibility is a feature for vanlifers/RVers seeking customizable power solutions that can be expanded for the possibility of needing more power down the road.
In the context of power solutions for mobile vehicles using solar panels or battery isolators for their primary power harvest. People typically use the “in-parrallel” configuration. This is the ideal solution because most people want/need more capacity (ampere hours) to power their rigs than needing higher voltage (V).
4 x 100ah LiFePO4 Battery
With our current setup in our campervan, we have two (2) of the Goldenmate 12v 100AH LiFePO4 batteries connected in parallel. Providing us with effectively 200AH of power to be used for the fridge, charging phones, computers, and camera batteries.
Goldenmate confirms that a power system can be connected to up to no more than four batteries in series or parallel to achieve a total capacity of up to 51.2V 400Ah.
Where to Purchase Goldenmate 12v 100ah LiFePO4 Battery?
Purchase via GoldenmateEnergy.com
You can find the Goldenmate 12v 100ah LiFePO4 Battery on Sale for up to 51% off.
Purchase via Amazon.com
You can find the Goldenmate 12v 100ah LiFePO4 Battery on Sale for up to 51% off.
Easy to Recharge and Maintain
The Good
In our firsthand experience with the Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery, the recharge process has been excellent.
We utilize two 100-watt flexible Renogy solar panels, a charge controller, and a dual-battery isolator connected to the main vehicle battery. This setup ensures efficiency, sustainability, and redundancy for the charging of our various electronics and appliances.
Keeping the two 100ah LiFePO4 batteries topped up during our travels and adventures is no problem.
Note on Solar Panels:
If you are in the process of preparing to build out your electrical system. Check out this post on the best solar panels for van conversion to guarantee your new 12v 100ah LiFePO4 batteries get the most sun rays possible!
The Issue
The only downside that we saw in the recharge process was when we were hunkered down in one spot during our camp hosting job. Hardly ever driving. The sky was overcast for over a week. We had an abnormal increase in power usage. That was the only time we ran into the batteries not capable of keeping up with our needs.
However, this wasn’t the battery’s problem. It was all external factors preventing the batteries from delivering.
If we had more solar panels, an extra battery, or drove a little more. We would have never run into this issue. Unfortunately for us, we have hardly any room for expansion in any of the three areas. For example, check out how we mounted our two flexible solar panels and why we went with only two.
To get the most immediate power to our system, we went for a drive and left the van running for an hour. This brought us back up to where we needed to get us through the day. Our power consumption decreased and the sun took over. We never had this same issue occur.
100ah LiFePO4 Battery Standing Out
This LiFePO4 deep cycle battery’s impressive 50A maximum charge output stands out for its ability to support fast charging times. This feature is particularly valuable when mobile, minimizing downtime and ensuring a prompt power supply for our various electronics.
An additional advantage, especially in comparison to traditional lead-acid batteries, is the hassle-free maintenance of the 100ah LiFePO4 battery. Although we never needed to do this ourselves, lead-acid batteries periodically require the addition of water, this Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery demands no such attention. The best thing of all, it simplifies the user experience, reduces upkeep costs, and prolongs the battery’s service life.
It’s Durable and Reliable
The Casing
The external casing of the Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery is crafted from hardened ABS plastic and boasts as a key protective feature. Heather and I can respect this feature. The hardened plastic not only shields the battery against spills and leaks but also enhances its overall ruggedness. Which is essential when going off-road and being on unknown terrain. Like that one time we drove 20-miles on a washboard dirt road to camp and find hot springs in the Boise National Forest!
We especially love the added protection because of the location where we have the two 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries. They are beneath one of the slide-outs of the bed–placing the batteries in a vulnerable spot for an accidental spill. Knowing that if I accidentally spilled my coffee on the batteries, they would hold up unphased!
Thermal Protection
The Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery incorporates temperature benefits that significantly enhance its reliability and safety across varying operating conditions. A key characteristic is its resistance to extreme temperatures on both sides of the spectrum. This feature ensures that the battery maintains optimal performance even in challenging environments, where other batteries may struggle.
The Goldenmate battery’s ability to operate within a broad temperature range makes it a reliable choice for users in varying climates, providing peace of mind and consistent performance regardless of weather conditions.
For us, we have our batteries placed dead center in the middle of the van. We chose to place them there to keep the weight of everything centered. (Remember our 150lbs lead-acid batteries?)
Unfortunately, because our self-converted minivan campervan is a mid-engine van, it also would inevitably create added heat distribution to the batteries. We needed the peace of mind of a 12v 100Ah battery to be able to take the extra heat, which the Goldenmate lithium iron phosphate batteries can handle.
Energy Density of Our 100ah LiFePO4 Battery
Lithium-ion batteries have one of the highest densities of energy per weight of any commercially available technology in the world today. With roughly 300 watt-hours/kilogram. However, the LiFePO4 battery also has a significantly high energy density as well! According to Anethic.com, “LiFePO4 batteries have an energy density of around 150-170 Wh/kg, which is significantly higher than other types of lithium-ion batteries such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) or lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4).”
All in all, his means that you get so much more power with less battery.
For example, we had two 105ah lead acid batteries totaling 210ah and weighing almost 150 pounds. However, because you can’t deplete lead-acid below 50%, we effectively had 105ah of battery weighing ~150lbs.
In comparison, we have two (2) 100ah LiFePO4 batteries weighing 57.4 pounds and can effectively use 95-100% of the total 200ah of power. This means we are getting twice the amount of power with only a third of the weight sitting in the van.
That is a major win for us! We just can’t believe we didn’t switch earlier! Or go with lithium sooner!
Cost of a 100ah LiFePO4 Battery
Granted, the price for this kind of technology has been historically high. Leaving people to only buy lead-acid options.
However, if you look at one of the lead-acid batteries we bought in 2022, we paid $250 bucks for it. Now the Goldenmate 100ah LiFePO4 battery is listed for $289.99 on Amazon.com with $70 of discounts and coupons bringing you down to $219.99.
12v 100ah LiFePO4 batteries are becoming a more affordable option these days!
For comparison sake, you can see a 100ah lithium ion (LiFePO4) battery going for 900 dollars or more. Especially from one of the more recognizable brands out there: Battle Born Batteries! Or as cheap as 160 bucks from a much lesser-known company: FEENCE.
The most beautiful thing of all about these batteries is that they are the most environmentally friendly option to choose. They do not have toxic heavy metals and you do not need to replace the batteries as often.
One Con
Battery Terminal Placement on Goldenmate
When we built out our van back in 2021, everything was dialed into a ‘T’. No extra space was wasted. Everything was cut exactly to size. Because space was our most vital resource.
With that said…when we were finally installing the batteries we designed the battery box based on the two lead acid batteries we had. Their size, shape, and terminal placement.
The battery terminals were in the center-outside of the batteries. Then our 100ah LiFePO4 batteries, the Goldenmate’s, had their terminal posts on the bottom-outside corners.
With the new placement that we didn’t anticipate or think about checking before they were shipped out It threw us for a loop with trying to install the batteries.
Solution For Our 100ah LiFePO4 Batteries
Fortunately for us, the footprint of the new batteries was slightly smaller. I needed to get a little creative. And move some brackets and wood to get it in there to fit perfectly.
This was all necessary because I was running out of time on the installation, and didn’t have extra battery cables or a busbar to alter the new setup.
Another thing to note, the LiFePO4 battery doesn’t need to have any space or gap between another adjacent LiFePO4 battery. That helped us out in the installation. Lead acid batteries require a certain amount of space to breathe and dissipate heat.
All in all, just make sure to check and verify you know where the terminals are and if they are different. Possibly require you to purchase more cables, a busbar, or redesign your battery box altogether if you are upgrading to a 100ah LiFePO4 battery.
Why choose this 100ah LiFePO4 battery?
The Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery is not just a battery; it’s a reliability upgrade.
Offering over 10 times the cycle life compared to traditional lead-acid batteries, this battery is built for the long road ahead. Also, having the ability to Fast charging your camera batteries or whatever else in your rig at up to 50A means you will spend less time waiting around and more time exploring.
The small footprint and lightweight build make it a space-saving item for any van setup. No more hassle with maintenance – it’s durable, spill-proof, and ready for any adventure your van takes you on.
From the freezing temperatures in Glacier National Park to the blistering temps of Arizona. Whether you’re off grid dispersed camping on public lands or stealth camping in big cities, you can be sure to trust the Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery for its reliability and power.
Surely you can’t go wrong when choosing this 100ah LiFePO4 battery!
FAQs About 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery
How long will a LiFePO4 battery last?
The lifespan of a 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery varies, but the Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery is estimated to endure between 4,000 to 15,000 cycles, translating to about 10 years or more of use. Depending on usage habits.
Are LiFePO4 batteries deep cycle?
We are unsure if all LiFePO4 batteries are deep cycle, but the Goldgenmate 100Ah LiFePO4 battery definitely is.
What is a 100ah LiFePO4 battery?
A 100Ah LiFePO4 battery refers to a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery with a capacity of 100 Ampere-hours (Ah).
Are LiFePO4 Batteries Safe?
LiFePO4 batteries, with their specific chemistry, are often driven by factors such as safety, thermal stability, and the need for a high cycle life, especially in applications where the battery will undergo frequent charge and discharge cycles (i.e., RVs and van life campervans).
What size inverter can I run off a 100Ah lithium battery?
The choice of inverter depends on your power needs. A 100Ah lithium battery can generally handle inverters up to 1,000 watts for short bursts and around 500 watts for continuous use. We have two 100ah lithium iron phosphate batteries and have a 2,000-watt inverter.
What can I power with a 100Ah lithium battery?
A 100Ah lithium battery can power various devices, such as LED lights, smartphones, laptops, cameras, small appliances, and a fridge or other low-power electronic devices commonly used in van life setups.
Can a 100Ah lithium battery run a fridge?
Yes, a 100Ah lithium battery can efficiently power a fridge, particularly energy-efficient models designed for mobile applications like this 12v fridge. The Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery is well-suited for this purpose.
Charging time/How long to charge a 100Ah lithium battery?
Charging time for a 100Ah lithium battery depends on the charging source and current. With a 50A maximum charge output, the Goldenmate battery supports fast charging. The exact time will vary, but it generally charges faster than equivalent lead-acid batteries. Stated on their Amazon listing.
Final Thoughts
In the world of van life, where power is such a vital resource, the choice for strong and dependable energy storage is crucial!
After considerable testing of both the lead acid and LiFePO4 batteries. The 100Ah LiFePO4 battery variant clearly comes out on top. Transitioning from our two 105Ah lead-acid batteries to two of the Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries was an obvioius decision! This conclusion was based on our personal experience and expert evaluation of our campervan vanlife setup.
Whether you’re taking on your first campervan build or are a seasoned vanlifer seeking a significant upgrade to your power solution. The Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery proves to be an optimal choice.
Its incredible features, advantages, and performance create a well-balanced solution for those demanding efficiency, durability, and versatility in their energy storage needs. Despite initial safety concerns, our six-month trial, spanning various weather conditions and terrains, provides proof of the battery’s reliability. Setting the scene for a comprehensive review of this 100ah LiFePO4 battery power solution.
If you have any questions about this battery or transitioning from lead acid to a 100ah LiFePO4 battery. Please feel free to ask away in the comments below!
Where to Purchase Goldenmate 12v 100ah LiFePO4 Battery?
Purchase via GoldenmateEnergy.com
You can find the Goldenmate 12v 100ah LiFePO4 Battery on Sale for up to 51% off.
Purchase via Amazon.com
You can find the Goldenmate 12v 100ah LiFePO4 Battery on Sale for up to 51% off.
