Having worked with AGM, lead acid, and lithium batteries in the past, it was clear from the moment the LiTime 12.8V 320Ah Smart Mini battery came out of the box, it was no joke. From the terminals to the app experience, this battery showcased quality and performance in line with far more premium options. The size and weight made it more than manageable to fit into a compact setup, making it easy to wheel around and suited for a variety of different testing applications. However, while being the heart of the build, the setup would be less than stellar without the addition of the LiTime 3000W pure sine wave inverter, 14.6V 60A charger, and the 60A solar charge controller, all of which maintained the same solid performance and excellent build quality. With many charging options and features that keep users informed on their power usage down to the minute, a full LiTime setup like this brings a level of self-empowerment and peace of mind that is challenging to rival.

The LiTime 12.8V 320Ah Smart Mini battery is one of LiTime’s latest offerings for high-capacity LiFePO4 energy sources. Like other batteries on offer, this one comes with an integrated BMS and Bluetooth capabilities to monitor the health and charge of the battery. With this, LiTime also sent along their 3000W power inverter, their 14.6V charger, and a 60A solar charge controller to round out a portable power solution.

All units came securely packaged with many layers of molded foam insulation to keep everything secure in transit. Additionally, most had the appropriate cables and fasteners to connect to the battery as well as for mounting in a secure location. As expected, the heaviest item was by far the battery, coming in at around 57 lbs (25.93 kg). However, the 12.8V Smart Mini maintains a relatively slim profile with dimensions of 38.4 cm x 19.6 cm x 24.8 cm. Given the smaller profile, the battery and its accessories fit nicely in and mounted easily to a bike trailer, adding a bit of extra protection to the components as well as making the system portable.

Wiring the system was also fairly straightforward, with the guide providing clear instructions on how to connect the battery to the inverter and the charger. However, while trying to set up the solar charge controller, we found that the unit did not come with any cables or hardware to connect to the system, which meant they had to be ordered. Fortunately, Amazon had options for Power Pole and 120V Anderson plug connectors. Since we had to wait for the cables to arrive, it was decided to keep both charging solutions separate, but it should be noted that both can be tied into the system as they both have features to keep them from damaging the battery.

Lastly, the battery was tested for initial voltage, which read at a solid 13.8V, and the battery was topped off, starting at a 75% charge and taking about one and a half hours to reach full capacity.

For this battery, testing focused largely on the outdoor/camping applications of this battery, testing its claims for a wide range of operating temperature, as well as the ability for the inverter to output a significant amount of wattage. Before the practical testing, however, we took readings with an amp clamp of various load sizes and found that the onboard BMS was delivering accurate readings and estimated uptime to the app.

Another pleasant surprise was that the app, though minimalist in its offerings, was a clean and efficient experience and had no hiccups while setting up the battery or connecting to it. This is also true for its performance when paired to the solar charge controller. Additionally, the range from which we were able to connect to the battery was a fair distance (15 meters), making it easier to check on the system while outdoors.

Those hoping to use this system for outdoor events or to power larger equipment may find utility in this type of setup, considering that not only was it able to power this commercial brewer, it still had powering capacity to spare. Unfortunately, since this is only a single battery setup, the 12.8V Smart Mini was only able to power the brewer for about two and a half hours continuously. Also, the inverter fans maxed out, creating noise in the 71-decibel range. This amount of noise pollution may be okay outdoors, but is excessive for indoors use.

With a full charge, 38F weather, and a 400W space heater, the setup was tested for a full 9 hours overnight in a tiny house. The setup did not disappoint and delivered a stable flow of power to the space heater for eight and a half hours. The battery could have lasted for the full nine hours that it projected, but the inverter’s low power warning buzzer advised not to deplete the entire battery. Since it was daylight at that point, the system was then connected to a 200W solar panel to begin recharging. The Solar Charge controller performed well and was charging the battery; however, due to the low wattage of the panels, the estimated charging time was in the 65-hour range. Therefore, a 200W panel is great for supplemental power but is not the best option for routine charging. The solar charge controller is not waterproof.

LiTime has clearly spent time and has invested in making quality batteries and power solutions that offer a great deal of flexibility in setup and application. From start to finish, the build-out and utilization of this setup was a pleasant experience and can offer an abundance of practicality and peace of mind for those looking for reliable portable power.

Transparency

The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.

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Stephen Pereyra – Tech Writer – 111 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024

I credit my Bachelor’s in marketing to my obsession with tech. From an early age, I understood that to get the gadget I wanted, I needed to know everything about it and how to pitch it. After years of reading, learning, and tinkering with all the gadgets I could get my hands on, I have learned that I enjoy researching and writing about tech just as much. As I continue learning new and exciting information, I aim to share it with everyone interested here on Notebookcheck.