Key Features
How The Lion Energy UT 3500 BT-H Compares To Other Battery Options
RV owners, marine users, and off-grid system builders evaluating deep cycle battery options usually face this question: should I get a basic lead-acid deep cycle battery, this Lion Energy UT 3500 BT-H lithium battery, or the Lion Safari XP expansion pack for a plug-and-play power station system?
| Feature | Basic Lead-Acid Deep Cycle Battery, 200-280Ah | Lion Energy UT 3500 BT-H, 280Ah LiFePO4 | Lion Safari XP Expansion Pack, 2,688Wh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usable Capacity | Roughly 50% of rated capacity to preserve battery life | Full rated capacity usable without damaging the battery | Full rated capacity usable |
| Weight | 130-150 lbs | 72.31 lbs, significantly lighter for the same capacity | Lighter still at 50.7 lbs |
| Built-In Heater | Not included | Auto-heats below 32 F, turns off at 41 F | Not specified |
| System Type | Standalone battery for DIY system builds | Standalone battery for DIY system builds | Requires the Lion Safari base unit to function |
Product Description
The new UT 3500 BT-H delivers nearly 3X the power of a standard UT 1300 BT-H, with 280Ah of long-lasting LiFePO4 lithium cells built to last a lifetime. It offers 24% lower cost per amp-hour compared to three UT 1300 BT-H batteries, features a built-in heater for optimal performance, and fits in a compact footprint at 72.31 lbs.
How The Lion Energy UT 3500 BT-H Compares To Other Battery Options
RV owners, marine users, and off-grid system builders evaluating deep cycle battery options usually face this question: should I get a basic lead-acid deep cycle battery, this Lion Energy UT 3500 BT-H lithium battery, or the Lion Safari XP expansion pack for a plug-and-play power station system?
Here's the honest comparison:
| Feature | Basic Lead-Acid Deep Cycle Battery, 200-280Ah ($300-$600) | Lion Energy UT 3500 BT-H, 280Ah LiFePO4 ($1,499) | Lion Safari XP Expansion Pack, 2,688Wh ($999) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Chemistry | Lead-acid | Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) | Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) |
| Rated Capacity | 200-280Ah, but only 50% usable depth of discharge | 280Ah / 12.8V nominal (3,584Wh), full usable capacity | 2,688Wh usable |
| Usable Capacity | Roughly half of rated capacity to preserve battery life | Full rated capacity usable without damaging the battery | Full rated capacity usable |
| Weight | 130-150 lbs. | 72.31 lbs., significantly lighter for the same capacity | Lighter still at 50.7 lbs. |
| Built-In Heater | Not included | Auto-heats below 32°F, turns off at 41°F | Not specified |
| Configuration | Standard 12V terminals | Supports series, parallel, or series-parallel up to 48V | Plugs directly into a Lion Safari base unit |
| Monitoring | Basic or none | Bluetooth app monitoring via myapp.lionenergy.com | Bluetooth monitoring via built-in module |
| System Type | Standalone deep cycle battery for DIY system builds | Standalone deep cycle battery for DIY system builds | Requires the Lion Safari base unit to function |
| Warranty | 1-3 years typical | Limited lifetime warranty | Standard Lion Energy warranty |
| Best Suited For | Budget-conscious buyers building a basic 12V system | RV, marine, or off-grid system builders wanting lithium performance in a DIY configuration | Existing Lion Safari owners wanting instant plug-in capacity |
Why The Lion Energy UT 3500 BT-H Is Worth The Investment
This isn't just a deep cycle battery, it's built with 280Ah of LiFePO4 lithium cells and a built-in heater for cold-weather performance, giving RV owners, marine users, and off-grid system builders full usable capacity and significantly less weight than a comparable lead-acid battery bank.
The UT 3500 BT-H specifically addresses the needs of RV owners, marine users, and off-grid system builders who want to build or upgrade a 12V, 24V, or 48V battery bank with lithium performance instead of relying on heavy, limited-depth-of-discharge lead-acid batteries.
Full Capacity, A Fraction Of The Weight. Unlike lead-acid batteries that only offer about 50% usable depth of discharge before damaging the battery, this LiFePO4 battery delivers its full 280Ah rated capacity for use, all while weighing 72.31 lbs., dramatically less than a lead-acid bank of comparable usable capacity.
Built For Serious, Long-Term Power Storage
280Ah of LiFePO4 lithium cells deliver 3,584Wh of usable energy storage built to last a lifetime
24% lower cost per amp-hour compared to three UT 1300 BT-H batteries makes scaling up more economical
Continuous discharge rated at 150A, with 280A peak for 50 seconds, handles demanding power draws
Engineered For Cold-Weather Reliability And Flexible Configuration
The built-in heater automatically activates below 32°F and turns off at 41°F, protecting the battery in cold climates
Supports series, parallel, or series-parallel configurations up to 48V for custom system builds
Bluetooth app monitoring via myapp.lionenergy.com provides real-time status tracking
Real Savings
Full usable capacity eliminates the wasted capacity inherent to lead-acid battery depth-of-discharge limitations
A limited lifetime warranty reduces the long-term replacement costs common with lead-acid batteries
Lighter weight reduces the load on RVs, boats, and off-grid installations compared to lead-acid battery banks
Free shipping and no sales tax through Summit Forge Supply keeps the total cost down compared to buying elsewhere and paying tax and freight separately
The Bottom Line RV owners, marine users, and off-grid system builders who want lithium performance in a DIY battery bank configuration can't get that flexibility from a plug-and-play power station accessory. The Lion Energy UT 3500 BT-H is built with 280Ah of LiFePO4 capacity, a built-in cold-weather heater, and flexible series/parallel configuration up to 48V, so it delivers a genuine deep cycle lithium battery for custom system builds. For anyone building or upgrading a 12V, 24V, or 48V battery bank, this is the battery built to power it reliably for the long haul.
The new UT 3500 BT-H delivers nearly 3X the power of a standard UT 1300 BT-H, with 280Ah of long-lasting LiFePO4 lithium cells built to last a lifetime. It offers 24% lower cost per amp-hour compared to three UT 1300 BT-H batteries, features a built-in heater for optimal performance, and fits in a compact footprint at 72.31 lbs.
Product Specifications
Weight & Dimensions
Weight
72.31 lbs.
Dimensions
13.85″ × 7.64″ × 12.85″ (L × W × H).
Battery & Capacity
Battery Chemistry
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄).
Rated Capacity
280Ah / 12.8V nominal (3,584Wh).
Minimum Capacity
≥266Ah, ≤2mΩ internal resistance.
Continuous Discharge
150A continuous / 280A peak (50 sec).
Low Voltage Cut-Off
10.5V safety shutoff.
Lighting & Indicators
LED Indicators
1–5 LEDs show charge from 10% to 100%.
Reset Instructions
Quick press resets low voltage. Press/hold 4–5 sec resets short circuit or high temp.
Bluetooth® App
Monitor battery status via myapp.lionenergy.com.
Configuration
Supports series, parallel, or series-parallel up to 48V. Use 3/8″ eyelets.
Charging Specifications
Recommended Charging
Standard: 45A / Max: 140A / Max Voltage: 14.6V.
Operating Temperatures
Charging: 32–113°F / Discharge: −4–131°F.
Storage Temperature
14–95°F (45–85% RH).
Internal Heater
Auto-heats below 32°F and turns off at 41°F.
Certifications & Warranty
Certifications
FCC, UL 1642, RoHS, CE.
Warranty
Limited lifetime warranty.
Included in the Box
-
1x Lion UT 3500 BT-H
1x User Manual
Full Spec Sheet
| Model | UT 3500 BT-H, 50170186 |
| Battery Chemistry | Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) |
| Rated Capacity | 280Ah / 12.8V nominal, 3,584Wh |
| Minimum Capacity | Greater than or equal to 266Ah, less than or equal to 2mOhm internal resistance |
| Continuous Discharge | 150A continuous, 280A peak for 50 sec |
| Low Voltage Cut-Off | 10.5V safety shutoff |
| Dimensions | 13.85 in x 7.64 in x 12.85 in (L x W x H) |
| Weight | 72.31 lbs |
| Recommended Charging | Standard 45A, max 140A, max voltage 14.6V |
| Operating Temperature | Charging 32-113 F, discharge -4-131 F |
| Certifications | FCC, UL 1642, RoHS, CE |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |