I hope you're all doing well. Today I've got some tough news to share about a product I've been testing for quite some time. This one really stings — it's a product I had high hopes for, and I'm genuinely disappointed with where we've ended up.
I'm talking about my dual 100Ah DCS LiFePO4 batteries, which have been running under the bonnet of my rig for the past three years.
What I Loved About Them
There were several aspects of these lithium batteries I absolutely loved. The super-fast charging and high charge/discharge current were a game-changer. The weight and space savings under the bonnet were significant too. I also proved a few skeptics wrong — you can start a vehicle off a lithium battery, and you can winch off it.
But there was always one looming question mark: longevity. LiFePO4 batteries aren't particularly well-suited to high-heat applications, and that's a real concern in the harsh Australian outback.
The Capacity Test Results
I teamed up with Joe from JS Autoelectrics to run a proper capacity test. The results were nothing short of shocking.
One battery had suffered a 30% capacity loss. The other wasn't far behind at 22%. Both figures far exceeded the 5% annual loss DCS had promised.
The History
- November 2019: Joe installed the initial set of DCS 100Ah marine batteries.
- ~1 year later: Capacity test revealed significant issues — outdated passive balance technology was the culprit.
- February 2021: DCS replaced with their new active balance 100Ah batteries. A BMS firmware recall then marred their performance.
- November 2021: DCS sent replacements with updated firmware.
- Three years on: After 30,000 km of touring, one battery at 50% capacity, the other under 80%.
DCS's Response
I reached out to DCS with my findings. The response was far from satisfactory. They suggested moisture ingress as the cause — but when we opened the battery with 50% capacity loss, we found no evidence of that.
Then DCS suggested that my 30,000 kilometres of driving over 16 months had subjected the batteries to "six times the expected punishment." Apparently, DCS measures battery lifespan in kilometres — which doesn't bode well for anyone who actually tours extensively.
Both batteries were sent back to DCS. I'm yet to hear from them. They had no replacement batteries to offer, leaving me scrambling ahead of a major trip in four weeks.
Note: Joe at JS Autoelectrics has completely stopped using DCS batteries in his installations.
What I'm Switching To
Thanks to Joe's help, I'm switching back to lead-acid under the bonnet and adding a different lithium battery in the rear of the LandCruiser — out of the engine bay heat. I'll document that new setup in an upcoming video.
The Bottom Line
After three years, lithium under the bonnet can work for certain applications — but the diminished capacity at high cost isn't worth it for me. If you're willing to replace batteries every three years and have the budget for it, go for it. Based on my experience and Joe's, it's not a worthwhile long-term investment.
If you're currently running DCS batteries under the bonnet, get a proper capacity test done. Don't rely on the state of charge shown in the app. Get them tested by a professional.
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