48v, 11Ah (528Wh/0.528kWh) LG Chem Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) / Li₂TiO₃ Battery – 20,000+ cycles!

These are brand-new 48V 11Ah LG Chem Lithium titanate (LTO) batteries that were meant for BMW cars but the terminals were not aligned properly to match the vehicles so couldn't be used. All the ones tested had 100% capacity. These are great for use as energy storage for 48v systems with the simple addition of an included 150A LTO JK Battery Management System, or you can modify them to 12v or 24v if you are a bit handy. Please note, two of these that I have in stock I've already removed the top from to test putting the BMS on, but the rest still have their tops.

Although the picture shows them with the lid off so you can see what's inside, these come with glued on lids that can be removed with a screwdriver or very carefully with a dremel. They use 20 LG Chem Lithium Titanate Oxide cells in series. Main positive and negative terminals are accessible. Busbars are designed for 130A continuous discharge or 500+A pulse, which will be the limiting factor in discharge current. These batteries will likely outlive you!

LTOs are the toughest, longest-lasting batteries you can get. Although you may not have heard of them, they've been around for over 20 years and have proven themselves for use in buses, off-grid power storage, and for car audio and electric car applications. They are extremely long-lived (over 20,000 cycles or 4 times more than Lithium Iron Phosphate/LFP, or 30 times longer than lead-acid or AGMs). Lithium titanate batteries can operate and charge at temperatures as low as -30℃ or less and are much safer than other chemistries (they can be punctured, burned, overcharged, and shorted out with no explosions or fires). These batteries can also be fully discharged without damage. This seems unbelievable, but it’s no joke: this is tried and tested tech – look it up!

Why haven’t you heard of these things? The only downside to this technology in the past has been that they are a bit larger (i.e. have lower energy density per weight/size), and have traditionally cost significantly more than other battery types. Luckily, their size has come down with the latest generations of technology, and with increasing economies of scale (higher production) prices are within the range of other inferior lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 / LFP) and lead-acid batteries. Until now, however, no one has made these cells into consumer-level batteries. For off-grid or backup power uses, it doesn’t matter that they are a bit larger as long as you have some space. Wouldn’t you rather use a bit more space and have a battery that will outlive you that your next of kin can inherit? These might be a bit more money upfront than some (but not all) LFPs, but they're actually the most affordable batteries you can buy by far in terms of cost per usable power throughout their life.

The BMS
All that is needed is to add the included JK LTO BMS (management computer) for each battery, which are relatively easy to connect to the cells once the lid is removed, and then the lid can be glued back on. The BMS has a bluetooth app that you can view and change settings from using your phone, and includes a CANbus module to connect to other devices if you should ever need to.

Please note: You will need to put the BMS on yourself, as for liability reasons we cannot sell you these as ready-made batteries since we would then be considered a manufacturer, but will simply supply you with what you need to make it a functioning battery yourself. This will require a small amount of technical learning, but is relatively straightforward and there are many online resources to help you out.

Weight: 23 lbs
Dimensions: 9.5" x 8" x 7"

Key Features

• High stability and extreme longevity (20,000+ cycles!).
• Extremely safe: no thermal runaway or overheating, no lead (more environmentally safe).
• Low and high temperature charging, discharging, and storage (-30℃ to +60℃).
• Much faster charging potential compared to other lithium-ion batteries.
• No maintenance (e.g. no refills), no off-gassing, no temperature worries.
• Recharge efficiency exceeding 98% compared to e.g. 80% for AGMs.
• Extensive usability: can be used in solar and other energy storage power, solar hybrid street lighting, etc. Drop-in capabilities with most equipment such as Magnum inverters and Outback charge controllers. We’ll help you set your equipment to the right parameters.
• High quality Battery Management Systems that prevent overcharge, undercharge and ensure cells remain balanced inside batteries to increase battery life.

Note: If you research this battery chemistry further you will find a popular video of a fellow named Will Prowse saying that he doesn’t recommend the batteries because they are not efficient and are more expensive than LFPs. However, he did his tests on Grade B cells, and admits this later in the comments and in a subsequent video after testing Grade A cells, finding they are over 98% efficient. The only downside until now, then, has been the price and the slightly larger size. With these new more compact prismatic cells, they are only marginally larger than other chemistries, however, which doesn’t matter if you have even a bit of space to store them. Although they may not be good for most EVs as the primary battery due to this, they are amazing for off-grid or backup power uses in the home! Add to this the direct-from-factory prices we can offer, and there’s no reason to use anything else.

Specifications

Type: Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) / Li₂TiO₃

Nominal capacity: 11Ah

Nominal voltage: 48v

Standard Cycle life: 20,000+ cycles at 100% DOD

Operating temperature: -40°C to 60°C

Long Life

Batteries will maintain over 80% of original capacity after over 20,000 discharge and charge cycles even at high discharge and charge rates at 100% DOD.

Low-temperature operation

Batteries can be charged and discharged well below freezing (-40℃). There is virtually no degradation at low temperature even after repeated discharge, making batteries suitable for Canadian winters.