The LiTime X Mini 12V battery is more than just an ordinary LiPo battery with high current and capacity.
Battery capacity: 4096Wh
Number of charge cycles: Over 4000 before 20% drop
Output power: 2560W
Fastest charge time: 2 hours
Additional features: Bluetooth, IP65
Weight: 25kg
The 4kWh type is approximately the same size as a car battery. It features an intelligent BMS, Bluetooth telemetry, self-heating capability, and durability of over 4,000 charge cycles before experiencing a 20% drop in charge. What is even more remarkable is the unit's compact size and relatively light weight, at just 25kg.
LiTime provides a slew of accessories to support the 12V battery. Users can build the best portable power station for their needs with a charging time as fast as one hour and an output power of 2.56kW.
The companion 2kW inverter is ideal for retrofitting in an RV, providing remote access to a substantial amount of power. The battery supports low-temperature operation down to -20 degrees Celsius.
LiTime X Mini Battery: Price and Availability
The 12V battery with a 320Ah capacity has an MSRP of $930 and is currently on sale for $650. A battery alone will not do much, though, and a complete system with a 720W charger and 2000W inverter adds an extra $730, which is relatively cheap, considering that similar 4kWhr/2kW stations have a $2000 price tag.
LiTime X Mini Battery: Design
From the outside, the LiTime LiPo battery looks strikingly similar to a lead-acid battery, having an identical form factor but with smaller posts.
The battery ships with a product manual, screws, and a quick start guide. The 25kg unit measures 38cm x 19cm x 25cm. The IP65 certification protects against water ingress should the product come into contact with water.
Since the case is hermetically sealed, the plastic enclosure will dissipate heat during charging at the maximum allowed power. Two handles, one on each side of the battery, allow the unit to be transported with some effort.
The tested 12V, 320Ah battery outputs 12.8V with an internal resistance of less than 40mΩ, providing a maximum power of 2.56kW. The charging current is limited to 200A continuously, resulting in a charge time of approximately two hours.
LiTime recommends using a 20% current capacity to prevent heat build-up. Two nuts embedded in the case act as positive and negative terminals. A torque wrench set to 12 Nm secures the provided M8 bolts to cable lugs and the battery.
LiTime sells two essential accessories for lithium batteries. The AC inverter is built around a pure-sine wave generator that can output up to 3kW for the 12V model. The 2kW model we tested features four 120V AC sockets, two USB ports, a remote-control port, and a high-power terminal connector.
The second, but equally important, accessory is the battery charger. We tested an 800W unit that generates significant noise through its fan. This kind of energy storage is generally unsuitable in an office and better suited to a remote location or a garage.
LiTime X Mini Battery: In use
A complete battery system is inherently passthrough, where the charging current passes through both the battery and the inverter, thus doubling as a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) in the event of a blackout.
The ability to adjust the setup according to the owner's usage is also a great feature that other non-modular units lack. A second inverter can be easily added, turning the system into a 240V station, or the battery capacity can be increased by connecting up to 16 batteries in parallel and in series.
The LiTime mobile app is available on both Android and iOS platforms and supports only the battery. The setup involves adding the unit via Bluetooth using a combination of QR code and barcode.
The battery’s state is available from the main menu and includes capacity, output voltage, current, and power. The app can turn off the unit’s Bluetooth module, thereby saving energy. Bluetooth is re-enabled automatically when charging the battery.
LiTime battery products feature a built-in battery management system with over 20 protection safeguards, including overcurrent and temperature protection. The LiFePO4 chemistry is also more stable than other lithium chemistries, significantly reducing the risk of thermal runaway. The battery is protected against high temperatures and is certified by organizations such as the FCC and CE.
LiTime X Mini Battery: The competition
Renogy’s Core Mini, the closest model to the LiTime battery we tested, only supports 300Ah instead of 320Ah. Since the Core Mini is a 12V model, the net power reduction is about 16Wh, for a similar size, weight, and price. The Core Mini's output power of 1800W is also lower than LiTime's 2560W.
LiTime X Mini Battery: Final verdict
Lithium power storage cannot be more modular than LiTime’s X Mini battery and its accessories.
Upgrading the system simply involves connecting wires to additional batteries and inverters. At the same time, it can go into more places than its integrated counterpart for the same amount of energy.
The X Mini has a reasonable price, good build quality, and great online support. The Bluetooth connection is a nice addition, allowing constant monitoring of the battery’s vital signs.
The documentation could be better, with more detailed diagrams showing how to expand the system. Since only the battery supports Bluetooth, one cannot remotely control the inverter outputs or examine the overall system efficiency.
Buy the X Mini if ... you are looking to increase battery capacity or output power later.
Don’t buy the X Mini if ... DIY isn't your cup of tea.
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