Independence on the Road: My Experience with REDODO Batteries

As a climber and passionate vanlifer, freedom is everything to me. Every day is an opportunity to scale a new peak or camp out in a remote spot - but all of this only works if I can stay self-sufficient in my van.

Getting acquainted with the 12V 280Ah LiFePO4 Low-Temperature battery
Power for lights, heating, my laptop for work, and charging phones, headlamps, and other gear is essential. After much thought and research, I decided to go with the REDODO LiFePO4 280Ah 12V Low-Temperature Battery, and I want to share my experience with you here. Just a heads-up, this product was provided by the manufacturer for review but I will not pull punches in stating my opinions.

Plug-and-Play Installation – It Doesn’t Get Any Easier Than This!

The first thing that – apart from the fast and easy delivery - really impressed me was how easy the installation was. For someone like me, who's always on the move and often pressed for time with these kinds of projects, this was a game-changer. The battery arrived well-packaged, though I’d say there’s still room for improvement in terms of eco-friendly packaging—there was a bit too much plastic for my liking. That said, the plastic was kept to a minimum and the packaging was just what was necessary. The battery itself is fairly light for its power and very easy to handle, which made installation even smoother.

The instruction manual that came with it was clear and easy to follow, even for someone like me with no in-depth knowledge of electrical systems (definitely not my strong suit). The step-by-step guide was a heaven-send. It was well-documented—just connect the battery, hook it up to the inverter and power sources, attach the charge controller for my 400W monocrystalline solar panel, and that’s it. Plug-and-play, as they say.

Technical Details That Win You Over

Now let’s talk numbers, because these are what really sold me. The REDODO 12V 280 Ah LiFePO4 Battery not only boasts an impressive 280 Ah capacity, but it also works in low temperatures down to -20°C. As someone who often ventures into higher altitudes or even spends time in the winter, that was a big deal for me. I don’t have to worry about the battery failing when it gets cold. 

The battery offers up to 6.000 charge cycles, which is reassuring for someone like me who spends a lot of time in the van between adventures. With traditional lead batteries, you can feel significant performance drops after just 1000 cycles. But with this LiFePO4 technology, I can expect many years of trouble-free use.

At just around 35 kg, it’s also much lighter than comparable lead batteries, and it fits easily in my van. This means not only weight savings but also more room to store all my gear.

No Access to the BMS – A Small Downside

One small downside is that I do not have direct access to the Battery Management System (BMS). For someone who wants to dive deeper into the details and monitor charge or discharge cycles, this might be a dealbreaker. For me, though, it’s not an issue. I’ll be using a smart shunt (battery monitor) to keep an eye on things, and REDODO even offers this as an accessory. The battery works perfectly fine without it, and so far, I’ve had no issues with charging or discharging.

Final Thoughts: Easy Independence

I’m super happy with the REDODO 12V 280Ah LiFePO4 Low-Temperature Battery. Installation was a breeze, the performance has exceeded my expectations, and, due to manufacturers description, the battery is reliable even in cold weather (something I have not fully tested yet, since it’s been too warm in the South for super cold nights, but the solar panel keeps my batteries topped up). If you’re a vanlifer or outdoor enthusiast looking for a powerful and lightweight battery, this model is definitely worth considering.

You can buy the battery directly from the official REDODO website and check out all the technical details for yourself. And if you liked my blog post and want to support me, I would really appreciate it if you shop through one of my affiliate links. That way, I get a small commission, and as a thank-you, I’ve got a discount code for you! Use the code MARTIN to get 5% off your order at REDODO. Thanks for your interest and support!