REVIEW – My truck has reached the point where every added light or accessory makes the factory starter battery feel like the wrong place to pull power from. It works, but I would rather keep that battery protected and move the accessory load to a separate deep cycle battery. The PowerUrus 12V 100AH LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Battery fits that plan well because it combines 100Ah capacity, Bluetooth monitoring, self-heating, a built in handle, and a $339.99 price that is lower than many similarly equipped batteries.
What this battery is for
The PowerUrus is a 12.8V lithium iron phosphate battery with a 100Ah rating. LiFePO4 chemistry is meant for stable energy storage and repeated deep cycling, so this is the kind of battery I want for steady accessory power rather than engine starting. It is not a starter battery, but for an overlanding accessory setup, solar charging, camping gear, or other 12V loads, that is exactly the point.
PowerUrus also builds in the pieces I look for in a modern auxiliary battery. The Battery Management System protects against overcharging and related problems, Bluetooth 5.0 lets the phone app report battery data, and the self-heating feature allows charging below 32°F/0℃ by warming the cells first.
The shipping carton made it obvious that this is not a small accessory. It came with warning labels for weight and lithium battery handling, and the internal foam kept the battery protected during transit.
In the box
- Battery package:
- PowerUrus LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery
- Welcome guide manual
- Charger package:
- PowerUrus 14.4V-10A LiFePO4 Battery Charger
- Power cord
- Ring terminal connectors
- Clamp connectors
- User manual
Specs
- Battery:
- Model Number: S12100H
- Nominal Capacity: 100Ah @0.5C
- Actual Capacity: ≥100Ah @1C
- Nominal Voltage: 12.8V
- Charge Voltage: 14.4V~14.6V
- Max Charge Voltage: 14.6V
- Discharge Protection Voltage: 10.8V
- Continuous Charge Current: 50A
- Max Charge Current: 100A
- Continuous Discharge Current: 100A
- Discharge Protection Current:
- 200A @ 20 sec
- 280A @ 5 sec
- Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.0
- Waterproof Rating: IP65
- Battery Terminal Size: M8
- Cycle Life: >3500 Cycles
- Charge Below 32°F/0℃: Supported
- Battery Cells Preheat Temperature:
- Preheat Start: 38℉ (3℃)
- Preheat Stop: 61℉ (16℃)
- Operating Temperature:
- Charge: -4~113℉ (-20~45℃) 45～85%RH
- Discharge: -4~131℉ (-20~55℃) 45~85%RH
- Storage Temperature:
- 1-Month: -4~113℉ (-20~55℃) 45～85%RH
- 1-Year: 32～95℉ (0～35℃) 45～85%RH
- Product Weight: 30.8 lbs
- Product Dimensions (L x W x H): 13 x 6.8 x 8,46 inch
- Charger:
- Model: C146
- Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz 3.0A
- Output: 14.4V 10A
- Use: LiFePO4
- OTR: -5~40°C
- Humidity: 5%~95% RH
- Cord Length: 6.56ft (2m)
- Weight: 450g (15.87 Oz)
Battery design
At a glance, the PowerUrus looks like a familiar lead acid car battery, but its purpose is different. The case is a sturdy plastic shell with a V0 fireproof rating, which means the material is tested to self extinguish within 10 seconds without dropping flaming particles. It also carries an IP65 waterproof rating.
The integrated handle matters because this is a heavy battery. The specs list 30.8 lbs, and the original handling impression was about 28.2 pounds, so any help moving it around is welcome.
The terminal layout is simple and readable. Red marks the positive side, black marks the negative side, and the M8 terminal hardware is easy to remove when making connections.
Charger design
The optional charger matches the battery visually with black and orange styling. Its status lights are easy to understand and cover normal charging along with error states such as overcharging, reversed connections, and short-circuits.
I like that both connection styles are included. The clamps are convenient for bench charging, while the ring terminals make more sense for a semi permanent installation.
Setup and app pairing
Before use, PowerUrus recommends charging the battery to 100%, since it arrives around 30% charged. The company suggests using its own chargers, but another charger can work if it has the correct LiFePO4 battery mode. I used the clamp connectors for my charging tests, although the ring terminals would have worked too.
After charging, the next important step is connecting the Bluetooth app. The correct app is called “RoyPow Fish” on Android and iPhone. The name is odd, but it is the right app for this PowerUrus battery. With Bluetooth enabled and the needed permissions granted, I opened the battery list, selected the matching model, skipped the prompt when it appeared, and completed pairing. If an “undervoltage protection” warning appears, continuing the charge until the battery is full clears it.
Testing and daily use
The PowerUrus battery performed exactly the way I wanted during testing. With the PowerUrus charger, charging time matched the stated average of roughly 2-3 hours. I also charged it with the FlexSolar 120W Foldable Solar Panel Kit I reviewed in April 2022. Solar naturally took longer, but it charged the battery without trouble.
After several charge and discharge cycles, I kept checking output with my Fluke 101 Digital Multimeter. The battery consistently delivered a little more than 13V, and the companion app backed up what I was seeing from the meter.
The app was one of the better parts of the experience. Once paired, it showed state of charge, total voltage, current, cell temperatures, individual cell voltages, average voltage, voltage difference, cycle count, and designed capacity. That kind of remote view is especially useful when the battery is tucked somewhere that is not easy to reach.
What worked well
- Able to be used in series or parallel
- Bluetooth connectivity and well-designed monitoring app
- Integrated carrying handle
What to know first
- Charger needs to be purchased separately
- Can only be used in parallel with other PowerUrus batteries of the exact same configuration
- Not usable as a starting battery
Final thoughts
The PowerUrus 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery makes a strong case as an auxiliary power battery for my truck. It is rugged, easy to handle for its weight, has Bluetooth monitoring, includes self-heating, and uses a BMS for protection from overcharging. At $339.99, it feels like a solid value for a modern lithium iron phosphate battery with these features. Solar panels and compatible chargers can top it off, but the official PowerUrus 14.4V-10A charger is the cleanest match. The downside is that the charger is separate and adds $39.99. Even with that added cost, this setup fits what I need for an affordable and reliable secondary accessory battery in an overlanding truck.
Price: $339.99
Product Link: Battery: PowerUrus / Charger: PowerUrus
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by PowerUrus.
PowerUrus did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
