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:
View: https://youtu.be/pJ5MHXoq7xM
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:
- Well made (ABS plastic);
- Easy to follow guide printed on the BB lid;
- 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;
- On/Off switch rated to 100 amps;
- The On/Off switch can be unlocked and removed from the BB;
- 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);
- 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;
- The BB has alternator and solar inputs;
- Charger has a solar priority mode;
- MPPT solar controller;
- Charger is lithium compatible;
- You need to manually set the DC to DC charger to the correct battery chemistry;
- The KickAss BB uses two circuit breakers;
- Three stage charger;
- Dual USB/QC3, 3 cig and 4 Anderson outputs;
- LED style voltmeter can be turned on or off, user choice. The voltmeter can be easily changed or upgraded;
- Aluminum cover on the charger, not plastic;
- Battery is kept in place with a Velcro belt, the silicone battery pads under the battery stop the battery moving around inside the BB;
- It uses auto reset circuit breakers, not fuses;
- Maximum battery size 340mmx185mmx235mm;
- 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;
- Split washers on the bolts that secure the lid to the BB;
- 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;
- Quick release car battery tray (optional extra);
- Car wring kit (optional extra);
- Battery capacity range of the 20 amp charger is 80-500Ah (other chemistries) and 50-500Ah for LifePO4;
- 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.
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