Battery Box Reviews - Australian focus

[TheDocAUS]

I decided to extract these mini reviews from the Third Party Suppliers thread and place put them in the right place.

KICKASS BATTERY BOX (KickAss BB)
I have first-hand experience with the Thunder BB Box, the Hardkorr BB and today the KickAss BB with a DC to DC charger. For the novice user, the KickAss is impressive. Really well designed and all the graphics on the lid tell you all need to know.

I have used the Thunder Auto and Hardkorr BB's for years.

The KickAss is for my nephew and I was really impressed. I was setting it up and everything about it was so easy to follow and do. Better than the Hardkorr, but the Thunder is still a superior build quality. Only downside is the charger is on the top of the box, rather than inside.

I was working on the KickAss model, with the DC to DC charger, but you can buy it without the DC to DC charger for about half the price.

Very clever design.

OBSERVATIONS:

1. Well made (ABS plastic);
2. Easy to follow guide printed on the BB lid;
3. The BB has a On/Off switch, so the BB can be turned off when not in use (reducing parasitic drains). The On/off switch is also called the Master Isolation Switch;
4. On/Off switch rated to 100 amps;
5. The On/Off switch can be unlocked and removed from the BB;
6. Neat and tidy wiring. All wires are shrink wrapped, the battery temperate wire even has a sealant in the end so the copper wire is not exposed to the air (nice);
7. The handles do not dig into your hands or fingers when carrying the BB. They are the nicest handles of any BB I have carried;
8. The BB has alternator and solar inputs;
9. Charger has a solar priority mode;
10. MPPT solar controller;
11. Charger is lithium compatible;
12. You need to manually set the DC to DC charger to the correct battery chemistry;
13. The KickAss BB uses two circuit breakers;
14. Three stage charger;
15. Dual USB/QC3, 3 cig and 4 Anderson outputs;
16. LED style voltmeter can be turned on or off, user choice. The voltmeter can be easily changed or upgraded;
17. Aluminum cover on the charger, not plastic;
18. Battery is kept in place with a Velcro belt, the silicone battery pads under the battery stop the battery moving around inside the BB;
19. It uses auto reset circuit breakers, not fuses;
20. Maximum battery size 340mmx185mmx235mm;
21. The BB uses the round USB/Cig sockets with flat sides, and cannot use round USB/Cig sockets unless you round out the BB hole;
22. Split washers on the bolts that secure the lid to the BB;
23. A downside of the barrier on the underside of the BB lid, is that it makes it harder to seat the lid on the BB. Because the battery cables need to be carefully placed to get the lid to sit correctly;
24. Quick release car battery tray (optional extra);
25. Car wring kit (optional extra);
26. Battery capacity range of the 20 amp charger is 80-500Ah (other chemistries) and 50-500Ah for LifePO4;
27. The BB has a 20 amp charger. The KickAss Lithium BB model has a 40 amp charger (make sure your battery is rated for a charge rate up to 40 amps, before choosing this model). The KickAss Lithium BB model also has an enhanced "voltmeter" screen which interfaces with the Lithium battery's BMS, and a high power output using a 175 amp Anderson plug.

View: https://youtu.be/pJ5MHXoq7xM

 

[TheDocAUS]

DRIFTA BATTERY BOX SPECIAL PRICING
If you are looking for battery box DRIFTA have a great special on now. The DRIFTA Battery Box comes with a 25 amp DC to DC charger for $324.50 (plus postage and you need to buy a battery). The KickAss equivalent is going for $520 with a 20 amp DC to DC charger (plus postage and you need a battery.)

The DRIFT BB is not the same unit as the KickAss, but it shares features of the KickAss and the Hardkorr BB, both of which are good battery boxes. I have used a Hardkorr BB for years and recently setup a KickAss BB for my nephew (mini review here).

That is a lot of value for your money.

MINI REVIEW OF THE DRIFTA BATTERY BOX
Some observations on the DRIFTA BB based on watching the video and reviewing the images. I have not seen the DRIFTA BB in person, but it is very similar to the Hardkorr and KickAss BB’s which I have hands on experience with.

OBSERVATIONS:

1. Well made (ABS plastic);
2. Easy to follow guide printed on the DRIFTA BB lid, like the KickAss BB;
3. The DRIFTA BB has a On/Off switch, so the BB can be turned off when not in use (reducing parasitic drains). The On/Off switch is also called the Master Isolation Switch. The On/Off switches are different on the DRIFTA base model verse the DC to DC charger model – as is the voltmeter);
4. On/Off switch rated to 100 amps;
5. The On/Off switch can be unlocked and removed from the BB;
6. Neat and tidy wiring. There is cover on the lid so you cannot see the detailed wiring on the DC to DC model, but the battery cables are thick to the battery. The base model, with no cover, shows neat wiring in the video like the KickAss BB;
7. The handles are like those on the Hardkorr BB, and have a tendency to dig into your hands when carrying the BB (unlike the KickAss BB);
8. The BB has alternator and solar inputs;
9. Not clear if the charger has a solar priority mode (the KickAss BB does);
10. MPPT solar controller;
11. Charger is lithium compatible;
12. Four stage charger: bulk, absorption, float and pulse. The KickAss has a three stage charger: bulk, absorption, and float;
13. Dual USB/QC3, 3 cig and 4 Anderson outputs rated at 50 amps and a single 175 amp Anderson. The KickAss has no 175 amp Anderson plug, but the Hardkorr BB does (the KickAss Lithium BB does have a 175 amp Anderson plug);
14. Cig sockets rated at 15 amps, whereas the KickAss BB are rated at 10 amps;
15. Voltmeter can be turned on or off, user choice. It is a poor-quality colour LCD screen which displays voltage, battery temperature and SOC based on voltage. I actually thought it was B&W initially because of its low quality;
16. Voltmeter cannot be changed or upgraded, unlike the KickAss BB, but ti does display more information than the KickAss BB;
17. You need to manually set the DC to DC charger to the correct battery chemistry;
18. Aluminum cover on the charger, not plastic;
19. Battery is kept in place with a Velcro belt, the silicone battery pads under the battery stop the battery moving around inside the BB;
20. It uses auto reset circuit breakers, not fuses (visible on the base model);
21. The 175 amp Anderson plug does NOT have a fuse or cicuit breaker;
22. The BB dimensions are 425mm(L) x 225mm(H) x 330mm(W). Maximum battery size is 340mm (L) x 235mm (H) 185mm (W) and 35kg. Note: the KickAss mini review shows the max battery size, not the BB size;
23. Maximum battery size looks like the KickAss and Hardkorr BB’s, as the DRIFTA BB also uses the triple Anderson in plug;
24. No split washers on the bolts that secure the lid to the BB, but they can be added easily;
25. A downside of the barrier on the underside of the BB lid, is that it makes it harder to seat the lid on the BB. Because the battery cables need to be carefully placed to get the lid to sit correctly;
26. No Quick release car battery tray like the KickAss BB (trying to confirm if the KickAss BB tray will work with the DRIFTA BB, HardKorr also have a mounting tray). More research being done;
27. No car wring kit, but it looks like the KickAss and Hardkorr kits would work with the DRIFTA BB, as all three use the triple Anderson plug input (the extra pin being the ignition source);
28. The Rock Armor BB lid image below shows three circuit breakers in the BB;
29. The DRIFTA has a well written and comprehensive printed Manual;
30. Based on the Rock Armor BB lid image below, all six 50 amp Anderson output plugs share the same 50 amp circuit and circuit breaker;
31. The DRIFTA BB has a 25 amp charger, more than the KickAss’ 20 amps, but less than the 40 amp charger on the KickAss Lithium BB.

I have what is now the Hardkorr base model, not the newer Hardkorr PRO. So my comments concern the Hardkorr base model.

ROCK ARMOR BATTERY BOX IS IDENTICAL
The Rock Armor BB looks identical to the DRIFTA BB reviewed here, it has the same connections and the same DC to DC charger. As at 4 October 2024, the Rock Armor BB costs AUD479 and the DRIFTA is AUD324.50.

The Rock Armor website shows the internal wiring of the lid. The main positive and negative terminals, to the battery, are wired through the 175 amp Anderson plug, and it uses 3 circuit breakers.

View: https://youtu.be/j5768j6HCrY

 

[TheDocAUS]

MINI REVIEW OF THE THUNDER AUTO BATTERY BOX (CUSTOM BUILD)
Arguably the best made of the Battery Boxes I have seen, together with its battery tray. It is a bare bones box with limited fittings waiting for you to customise. My Thunderbox Auto BB came with a BMPro MiniBoostPRO 30 amp charger, DC input, Solar input, 50 amp Anderson output and 2 USB sockets and one cig socket. At least that is how I configured it. My observations:

1. Well made arguably the highest quality of any of the BB’s, made of industrial grade polypropylene;
2. No On/Off switch, but I added that later as the DC to DC charger would drain the INVICTA Lithium 135 AH battery over time (the same On/Off switch is used on the Hardkorr BB, rated at 300 amps);
3. Neat and tidy wiring. The BMPRO MiniBoostPRO 30 amp charger was installed inside the top of the BB (not on top). The DRIFTA BB has a 25 amp charger, more than the KickAss’ 20 amps, but less than the 40 amp charger on the KickAss Lithium BB. BMPro now offer a ProBoost 25 and 40 amp charger, suitable for under bonnet installs;
4. You can place your hands under the top of the box, which acts like handles;
5. The BB has alternator and solar inputs;
6. MPPT solar controller with solar priority;
7. Charger is LiFePO4 (Lithium) compatible, as well as AGM, Wet and Gel. My BB fiitted with an INVICTA 125Ah Lithium battery with a 7 year warranty;
8. 3 stage charger; bulk, absorption and float;
9. The INVICTA battery has its own app to see what is going on inside the battery. I also added a BLE battery monitor as well;
10. BMPRO MiniBoostPRO works very well with the INVICTA 125 amp LiFePO4 battery;
11. Dual USB QC3 sockets, 1 cig socket and 1 Anderson output rated at 50 amps (the BB now has two 50 amp Anderson outputs as standard);
12. Voltmeter can be turned on or off, user choice. I upgraded the voltmeter to a Blue Seas Mini OLED voltmeter;
13. Battery is kept in place with a Velcro belt;
14. My BB uses 2 inline 40 amp MIDI fuses and a resettable circuit breaker;
15. Comes with no wiring kit, a basic wiring kit or an advanced wiring kit (user's choice);
16. User choice on which Redarc DC to DC charger to use (25 or 40 amp variants), I choose the BMPRO MiniBoostPRO 30 amp instead, about AUD100 cheaper than the Redarc 25 DC to DC charger at the time;
17. Uses a standard 50 amp input Anderson plug, not the triple pin version used by the KickAss and DRIFTA BB’s.

View: https://youtu.be/mv00WVH18kA

View: https://youtu.be/6aFbxDydJjQ

 

[TheDocAUS]

Most Lithium 200AH batteries, would be too big to fit into the KickAss or the DRIFTA BB's. Always check battery size before buying a battery for your BB, to avoid a costly mistake.

Not all BB's are the same size, slight variances exist even when they look similar. For example, both the KickAss and the DRIFTA BB can fit larger batteries than the Hardkorr BB I own.

 

[OGrid]

Fascinating. Thanks for posting. The detail you consistently provide is above and beyond.

I didn’t know these existed, but now I do it makes sense. thx

 

[TheDocAUS]

Fascinating. Thanks for posting. The detail you consistently provide is above and beyond.

I didn’t know these existed, but now I do it makes sense. thx

They are great for people who do not wish to permanently wire in a second battery, or want to move their second battery between cars or move the battery to your campsite. I used one in my Stockman Pod Extreme Offroader.

It is good for people to have a choice, then they can buy what is best for them. Keeping the list helps me remember what is available as well. I look at the list and often think I forgot about products.

There are also other BB's listed in the Third Party thread, like:

BATTERY BOXES
Some Battery Boxes reviewed here. The Hardkorr BB was the winner but the DRIFTA, KickAss and Thunder are also compelling.

1. KickAss Battery Boxes. My mini review here;
2. The DRIFTA Battery Box. My mini review here;
3. Hardkorr Battery Boxes (also marketed as the CAOS Power Battery Box);
4. Thunder battery box customised by Accelerate Off-Grid Touring, or just the based model Thunder Battery Box here;. Also marketed under the name Drivetech 4x4 Heavy Duty Battery Box - DT-02008. My mini review here;
5. Thumper Battery Boxes here;
6. Ardent Battery Boxes here (with 1200W inverter);
7. Mueller Energy Lithium Battery Box here (no DC to DC charger just a BMS);
8. BMPRO Power Station (with built in inverter and 12 power outlets);
9. Baintech Lithium Power Tops in 150 AH and 200 AH sizes.
10. JTS Power Easy here;
11. REDARC GOBLOCK (Premium pricing) here;
12. EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max (you need an EcoFlow alternator charger to charge at the full rate, the cig socket is limited to 8 amps, thanks @Loc Nar);
13. Entry level ARK PowerPack 3 here;
14. The whizzbang POWER BOX Premium range here (3 models, 6 colours). Super premium pricing;
15. Not really BB’s, but Enerdrive-Dometic is famous for their 4X4 Canopy Power Systems. More suited to a canopy on the QM Cab Chassis. I am not aware on any install in the IG. A new level of pricing compared to the BB’s. Tool Box Centre offers something (Redarc gear) as does MW Toolboxes (Victron gear) and Projecta Power Boards (Projecta gear);
16. National Luna Battery boxes here (2 colours);
17. Brown Davis DYI powerboard (5 models);
18. Battery Box for the DYIer here (by MSA4X4) and Front Runner offers something similar here; and
19. The Power Easy Expedition Battery Box here, with Expedition Weatherproof Lockable Case, DC to DC Charger, AC Charger and Inverter.

 

[Zacman110]

I have the Redarc box, and it’s excellent quality and the value of the products contained (240v adapter, 12v adapter, 50A dcdc, 50A solar mppt, jump starter and portable) I think are quite good. Fits nice in the back of the Gren and I use the 12v outlet to either trickle charge or just power the fridge directly while travelling.

 

[TheDocAUS]

Thunder Auto battery box added in draft. I will finalise over next few days. EDIT: now complete.

 

[CountyV8]

I’m in Uk but the EcoFlow is so versatile and powerful.

 

[TheDocAUS]

The DRIFTA BB is also marketed, in Australia, under the Rock Armor name. The Mini review has been updated.

I also added an image of the internal wiring of the Rock Armor BB lid. Based on the Rock Armor BB lid image above, all six 50 amp Anderson output plugs share the same 50 amp circuit. The battery terminals are wired through the 175 amp Anderson plug.

iTechWorld Go Further battery boxes is another brand on the market. They use their own 25 or 40 amp chargers with similar functionality to the DRIFTA and Hardkorr PRO BB’s. iTech have more customisations to the BB lid - it looks similar to the Hardkorr Battery Box PRO. Personally, I have never been a fan of iTech Lithium batteries. I will not be doing a mini review of the Go Further, but here is one.

Note: none of theses battery boxes are intended or suitable to connect really high drain devices like large inverters, coffee machines or induction cook tops (200AH or more Lithium battery setups are more suitable for this, using a 175 amp Anderson plug). They can be used for 12v fridges, Travel Buddy Ovens, camp lights and recharging devices like phones and Tablets. Stay within the limits of your battery box.

 

[TheDocAUS]

I have added a few more observations to the KickAss review and the DRIFTA review, like the voltmeter data.

I also managed to get my hands on a DRIFTA BB, with the DC to DC charger, for a little while and play with it.

 

[TheDocAUS]

DRIFTA BB Review updated.

 

[TheDocAUS]

DRIFTA BB wiring diagram. The BB has a well written and comprehensive printed Manual.