JITA 12.8V 300Ah LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery
JITA 12.8V 300Ah LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery is a high-capacity Lithium Iron Phosphate battery designed for deep discharge cycling applications like solar battery, power inverter battery, RV battery, trolling motor battery, and similar.
As such, the JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery is a rather lightweight battery, supporting a large number of charging/discharging cycles, even down to 100% DoD. Thanks to the built-in BMS, the battery is protected from overcharging, over-discharging, short circuit, etc.
Published: December 28, 2022.
JITA 12V 300Ah LiFePO4 Battery Features and Specifications
JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery features physical dimensions of (L x W x H) 20.5 x 9.37 x 8.54 inches (~52.7 x 23.8 x 21.7 cm), and it weighs only 59.5 pounds (26.95 kg).
We say "only," since it is much lighter than similar lead-acid batteries.
JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery is often stated to belong to the BCI Group 4D or even group 8D, but it actually belongs to the 6D group. For example, the actual dimensions of these battery groups are:
- 4D batteries: 20 3/4 x 8 3/4 x 9 7/8 inches (527 x 222 x 250 mm),
- 6D batteries: 20 3/4 x 10 x 10 1/4 inches (527 x 254 x 260),
- 8D batteries: 20 3/4 x 11 1/8 x 9 7/8 inches (527 x 283 x 250 mm).
As one can see, the JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery is slightly wider than the group 4D, but it is also significantly than any of these groups. Anyway, when replacing old batteries with new ones, it is very important to check the actual dimensions of the new batteries, not just their BCI group.
JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery comes with a pair of M8 battery terminals, ensuring a firm connection between the battery and the cables.
The battery is designed to withstand 2000-5000 charging/discharging cycles, depending on the Depth of Discharge percentage (DoD%) - although the battery tolerates deep discharges very well and supports up to 2000 cycles down to 100% DoD, it is recommended to discharge the battery down to 80-85% DoD (15-20% SoC) to prolong its lifetime, which can be up to 10 years.
JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery features an internal Battery Management System (BMS), which protects the battery from the most hazardous events for lithium batteries, including overcharging, over-discharging, and short circuits.
Also, the maximum continuous charging current is limited to 100 Amps, with 40-60 Amps being recommended.
The maximum continuous discharging current is 200 Amps, allowing the battery to power 2000 Watts loads easily.
Just like other similar LiFePO4 batteries, the JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery tends to be sensitive to high and low temperatures, and it features:
- Charging Temp Range: 32°F to 122°F (0°C to 50°C),
- Discharge Temp Range: -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C).
One of the most important features of the JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery is that its BMS allows the battery to be connected in series (up to 4 batteries) and parallel (up to 4 batteries) for the maximum 4S4P (16 batteries) configuration - lithium battery pack of 51.2V and 1200Ah!
Note: when connecting lithium batteries in parallel and/or series, always connect them as instructed by the manufacturer. That also means using the very same battery model, preferably from the same batch (same manufacturer, same chemistry, voltage, capacity, age, same BMS, etc.).
As such, the JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery is one of the preferred high-capacity lithium deep-cycle batteries, intended for RV applications, off-the-grid, power backup, trolling battery, etc.
How To Charge JITA 12.8V 300Ah Battery
JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery should be recharged using a lithium battery charger or AGM battery charger with a dedicated lithium battery charging mode (CC/CV: Constant Current, Constant Voltage algorithm).
While the battery features a maximum continuous charging current of 100 Amps, it is recommended to use 40-60 Amps currents to prolong the battery lifetime.
For example, NOCO GENIUSPRO50 is a versatile battery charger that supports 6V, 12V, and 24V lead-acid and lithium batteries. Also, it comes with other features as well.
NOCO GENIUSPRO50 is able to recharge 12V lithium batteries with a rate of 50 Amps, which is ideal for the Jita 12.8V 300Ah battery.
When the Jita 12.8V 300Ah battery is discharged down to 80% DoD, it takes around 4 hours for the NOCO GENIUSPRO50 battery charger to recharge it from 80% DoD to 20% DoD, allowing the user to cycle the battery even several times per day!
Obviously, with the exceptional performances of both the battery and the charger, they both come at a certain price, which is, in the long run, very acceptable.
For the most up-to-date offers and prices, feel free to check the NOCO GENIUSPRO50 Battery Charger Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
JITA 12.8V 300Ah Battery as Trolling Motor Battery
JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery can be used as an excellent and lightweight electric trolling motor battery.
Most electric trolling motors feature a maximum current draw of 50-60 Amps, and when more power is required, they are powered by 24V, 36V or even 48V batteries (or battery banks). For example:
- 12V electric trolling motors: up to 55-60lbs thrust, one JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery,
- 24V electric trolling motors: up to 80-120lbs thrust, two JITA 12.8V 300Ah batteries connected in series,
- 36V electric trolling motors: up to 100-150lbs thrust, three JITA 12.8V 300Ah batteries connected in series,
- 48V electric trolling motors: up to 120-180+lbs thrust, four JITA 12.8V 300Ah batteries connected in series.
By limiting the maximum currents to 50-60 Amps, connecting cables don't have to be too thick in order to keep the energy losses at an acceptable level.
For example, if You have a 12V 55lbs trolling motor with a maximum current draw of 55 Amps, You can power it for 5' hours using a single, fully charged, JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery (even with some energy left for additional safety).
However, if the trolling motor is used all the time at full throttle, it is seriously underpowered. Thus, it is more real to use such trolling motor @30 Amps continuously, with short bursts up to 55 Amps. At such rate, a JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery can power such a unit for almost 9-10 hours, depending on the exact discharge rate.
Not bad for a ~60-pound battery...
JITA 12.8V 300Ah Battery As Power Inverter Battery
Deep-cycle lithium batteries are commonly used as inverter batteries in emergencies, during blackouts, for camping, and in other off-the-grid situations.
With its nominal voltage of 12.8V and maximum continuous discharge current of 200 Amps, the JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery can be used to power loads up to 2000-2400 Watts.
As such, it can be used to power 2000 Watts power inverters, taking great care of the applied load - 2000 Watts power inverters can easily trip over-discharge protection of the JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery.
For example, 2000 Watts power inverters usually feature surge power of 4000 Watts and energy efficiency in the 85-90% range. If we assume the energy efficiency of the power inverter of 90%, that means that the battery must provide the following:
PBat = 2000W / 0.9 = 2222.2W = 12V * 185 Amps
But, when the inverter is overloaded for a short time, this current can be much stronger.
Note: JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery nominal voltage is 12.8V, and the battery provides 12.5-12.8V most of the time when the current is kept below 0.1-0.2C. But, stronger discharge currents also mean somewhat lower voltage - this voltage drop is not as significant as the voltage drop found in lead-acid batteries, but it is present. For these and other reasons, the calculations are done using a battery voltage of 12V - an acceptable approximation.
Personally, JITA 12.8V 300Ah and similar batteries should be used for power inverters up to 1000W with a surge power of 2000 Watts. This halves the required current down to ~92-93 Amps continuously and up to 180-190 Amps when the inverter surges. And even 180-190 Amps are not an issue for a single JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery.
Thus, if You want to power a 2000W power inverter using Jita 12.8V 300Ah batteries, go for a pure sine 24V 2000W power inverter with THD ≤3%, for example, Giandel 24V 2000W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter (Amazon link, opens in the new window).
When Giandel 24V 2000W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter (~90% energy efficiency) is being powered by a pair of JITA 12.8V 300Ah batteries, one may expect:
T@2000W = (2 * 12V * 300Ah) * 0.9 / 2000W = 3.24h = ~3 hours
So, when the 2000W power inverter with an energy efficiency of 90% is loaded at 100%, a pair of JITA 12.8V 300Ah can power such a unit ~3 hours.
Since power inverters are not used at their 100% power all the time (or they will be seriously underpowered), a pair of these batteries can power such inverter for much longer.
For example, if the power inverter provides 600 Watts, the runtime of such a system would be:
T@600W = (2 * 12V * 300Ah) * 0.9 / 600W = 10.8h = ~10 hours.
Not bad for a pair of batteries weighing just 120 pounds (~55 kg).
JITA 12.8V 300Ah Battery As RV, Car Audio Battery, or Marine Deep Cycle Battery
JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery is commonly used in automotive and marine applications as a deep cycle battery for powering onboard electronics, including navigation systems, multimedia devices, lights, and similar.
However, when used as such a battery, the JITA 12.8V 300Ah battery must be "isolated" from the alternator and starting battery using so-called DC-to-DC battery chargers that support charging the lithium batteries.
One of such DC-to-DC battery chargers is the Renogy 12V 40A DC-to-DC On-Board Battery Charger (Amazon link, link opens in the new window), which supports 20A and 40A charging currents and charging of either lead-acid or lithium batteries.
Note: Renogy 12V 40A DC to DC On-Board Battery Charger feature dip switches allowing the users to set it as needed.
Renogy 12V 40A DC to DC On-Board Battery Charger features overvoltage, over-temperature, and reverse polarity protection, and it isolates input and output to prevent voltage transmission errors and interferences.
Also, Renogy 12V 40A DC to DC On-Board Battery Charger supports the use of a D+ ignition cable (not included by default), allowing the unit to identify if the engine is running or not - when the engine is running, the charger charges the deep cycle battery, and when the engine is not running, the deep cycle battery is isolated from the alternator and starting battery.
Note: When adding DC-to-DC battery chargers, check the alternator's output current. If it is not strong enough, consider upgrading the vehicle's/boat's alternator and the charge controller.
Long Story Short: As one can see, JITA 12V 300Ah battery is a rather versatile battery.
It supports a large number of charging/discharging cycles, it is lightweight and accepts the charge well - it doesn't feature 1C charging/discharging currents like some smaller batteries, but don't forget that this is a 300Ah battery which is able to store, at least in theory, 3840 Wh of energy.
For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check the JITA 12V 300Ah Deep Cycle Lithium Battery Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
