Alert Battleborn battery safety alert

[Richpatty]

So I took my RV for its monthly drive with the generator on, solar charging plus anything the alternator was pushing. The battery bank (8x100ah) went from 50% to 70%. I took out my thermal gun and no terminal was warmer than 70 degree…and again, they are all solid and not loose in any way.

I will keep an eye on.
Rich

 

[Neal]

Sounds like you've got a good one, maybe it's recent production with the problems? Will put out another video. It seems to me anyone thinking of buying Battleborn from this date forward should reconsider and look at other options.

 

[Richpatty]

Yea…I saw that too…. It does concern me. And the latest thing that Will brings up is hard for me to test for…. Fingers crossed I don’t have those issues.

 

[Neal]

 

[Neal]

I think after seeing this there needs to be something formal filed to some agency for a consumer safety alert and some investigation. It goes without saying any RVer on this site should avoid buying Battleborn from this day forward. Just my $.02.

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

Dang! Well that's not good. Watching his latest new video update shows that thermal gun needs to be aimed at not only the positive terminal, but the negative as well. Heck, the entire top half of the battery. Yeah, new purchase? I'd be afraid based on this...

 

[Neal]

It appears they are cutting major corners in construction with plastic components and is definitely not safe for a moving earthquake that is a RV.

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

If Intertek (ETL) is the primary third-party company that tests and certifies Battle Born batteries (according to Google AI), ensuring they meet safety standards like UL-62133-2 and CSA STD C22.2# 62133-2, one has to wonder what tests they run, no? What other brands of batteries do they test and certify? Lithium Ion Battery Testing and Certification

 

[Trav_lr]

I wonder if this issue is from within a specific production run? Since this was first published, I have regularly checked my four 100 amp BattleBorn batteries, which were installed January 2023, and have not found the slightest inkling that there might be a problem. The longest our bus has been stationary is about 60 days, otherwise, we're going somewhere. I think I should have seen something by now if this is as widespread as some would have us believe.

Edit: we're boondocking/dry camping about 80% of the time while we're traveling, recharging by 1600 watts of solar

 

[Neal]

I am hoping for current customers this is a new thing but you may want to jump on the DIYSOLAR forum and see what you can learn there. The difference is that for most of us we are on power non stop whether shore power or alternator and never discharge our batteries so you would never have any type of load that would be significant enough IMHO.

I think to do any test to see if there is an issue you would need to let the batteries discharge significantly then have a decent charge rate. I think our charge rates are typically low too, IIRC mine are only at 30A charge rate per inverter.

 

[Underboss]

I think after seeing this there needs to be something formal filed to some agency for a consumer safety alert and some investigation. It goes without saying any RVer on this site should avoid buying Battleborn from this day forward. Just my $.02.

This is the exact reason for wanting to go with Lithionics. Battle born is a top brand and look at the issues.Imagine going with an off brand or private label.

 

[Neal]

This is the exact reason for wanting to go with Lithionics. Battle born is a top brand and look at the issues.Imagine going with an off brand or private label.

I don't know that Battleborn is a top brand, IMHO they are the most marketed brand. I chose not to go with them when I did mine, I've always had a lot of respect for Victron and went with them. I know nothing about the brands and my opinion means nothing. I don't know how they compare such as Lithionics to Vicrton to Battleborn, SOK, on and on. Years ago I learned of how they are made and the different levels of the cells that come from China, etc. as you can effectively build your own. Someone like SES Indiana and those that deal with batteries, warranty, etc. would be good to learn from.

 

[Underboss]

I don't know that Battleborn is a top brand, IMHO they are the most marketed brand. I chose not to go with them when I did mine, I've always had a lot of respect for Victron and went with them. I know nothing about the brands and my opinion means nothing. I don't know how they compare such as Lithionics to Vicrton to Battleborn, SOK, on and on. Years ago I learned of how they are made and the different levels of the cells that come from China, etc. as you can effectively build your own. Someone like SES Indiana and those that deal with batteries, warranty, etc. would be good to learn from.

Maybe I misspoke but battle born was a known name, maybe that created trust. Lithionics on the other hand has been at the top of the good list from being UL listed to used in the military.
The issue I see with SES is privately branded and I do not want ten batteries to get to 1000ah's. They probably are great but they came in 2k less then Newmar when quoting the 640ah system. Sounds high but who knows maybe they felt that they had a fish on the line already. I have not made a final decision to buy a new coach but at this point I am heavily leaning on the Newmar Lithionics option.

 

[Neal]

SES makes their own batteries, yes, and I opted NOT to use them even though they do have a 10+ year warranty on them. I went with Victron. I believe Lithionics is now owned by Winnebago?

 

[Underboss]

SES makes their own batteries, yes, and I opted NOT to use them even though they do have a 10+ year warranty on them. I went with Victron. I believe Lithionics is now owned by Winnebago?

Yes but its a stand alone company. The benefit to Winnebago is access to the technology. So I would guess that if I spec'd out Victron the price would increase over their private label.