Best KickAss Lithium Batteries

Power to Go! – I love camping. It probably comes from my time in the Army, but the relaxation as night sets in, nothing beats it. I also like a good cappuccino… Read more

most mornings, whether I’m camping or not. To achieve this, I decided that none of the offerings for ‘mobile coffee’ for camping were really any good. The solution, sources a small, quality 240V, low Wattage cappuccino machine, then create a 12V system with an inverter to convert that to 240V in a usable form. Simple, right?

Well, there was a bit of maths, some electrical knowledge and understanding exactly what was needed. First, a cappuccino machine, done. Then an inverter, sorted. So a battery . . .

In steps the KickAss 12V 200Ah Deep Cycle Lithium Battery. Withe the ability to hold a massive 200Ah, this beast has more than enough power to give. I need up to 200A output. A bonus with the KickAss LifePo4 Battery is it can also recharge at 200A, so if you hook it up to an alternator in your vehicle, probably an hour or two, fully recharged!

Because I am converting it to 240V, I need and am provided with 200A of output! Now some will think, 200A to make a coffee? well, for ~2-3 minutes yes, it’s a lot less the rest of the process.

As these are LiFePo4 batteries, you can drain them down ALL the way, unlike AGM batteries which hit 50% and are now in desperate need of recharge. So, I guess you may become the campsite barista for an hour or so.

All this power is worth nothing if it weighs too much. Well, the LiFePo4 200A weighs in at a piddling 20kg. About as much as a carton of the amber ale! These batteries use prismatic cells, ensuring superior quality and performance.

OK, you say, but what about getting it recharged? Solar! During the day. It is primarily used first thing in the morning. So, after a couple of hours, it will be fully recharged.

Ah but how many times, before the battery dies, like those pesky AGM batteries? well, you can cycle the recharge about 4000 times, plus the battery has a 5 YEAR WARRANTY!

Of course if you have a larger bush unit, you can link these in series or parallel, to provide more power and more delivery.

I’ve housed mine in the front ‘tool box’, coupled to a lithium solar controller. I have mounted an Anderson plug for the solar inlet and a second Anderson plug for 12V output (lower amperage). For the connection to the KickAss PureSine Wave Inverter, I have used a 500A Oversized Anderson Plug, which looks comical, to say the least. But to move that current, it’s necessary.

Does it all work? Yup. Makes a perfect cappuccino, just like at home and fills the campsite with the fresh aroma of coffee in under 5 minutes!

Over the years, I have used a range of batteries and this is the pinnacle. The capacity, output, recharge capabilities, make this the ultimate in mobile power delivery.