EG4 LL 48V Server Rack Battery Review: Why is it Still So Popular?
The EG4 LL 48V Server Rack Battery has become arguably the most popular rack-style solar battery on the market today. But what makes it stand out? Is it the quality, the affordability, or is it just another overhyped and mass-produced piece of solar equipment?
We’re here to answer those questions with an in-depth review. As always, our opinions can’t be bought, so we put this thing through a series of hands-on tests and came up with our own conclusions. Don’t just blindly buy into the hype. Use our review to discover for yourself what this battery is capable of and whether or not it's worth your hard-earned money!
Rundown of the Specifications
The EG4 LL is a 48V 100 amp-hour (Ah) battery. Weighing in at 99 lbs, it’s fairly heavy, but that isn’t a huge issue given that it is designed to slide into a rack. Its specifications list it as having a fairly impressive 5,120W storage capacity – enough to make it a versatile solar battery that would be suitable for a wide range of setups and applications.
Where it really shines as a server rack battery is the fact that it was designed to support parallel connections of up to 64 units! You read that correctly, you could theoretically wire these babies up to have a mind-blowing total storage capacity of 327.6kWh!
Each unit also features lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) technology, allowing them to offer a lifecycle rating of 7,000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge (DoD), or 5,000 cycles at 100% DoD. In other words, the batteries deliver impressive longevity and reliability.
To help enhance the lifespan, the battery cells are encased within a hard, metal cover that has an IP20 rating. It’s far from water-proof, but even base level water resistance is appreciated in a battery that many people will install in basements and garages. Still, users should always do everything in their power to keep the batteries away from direct moisture exposure and humid environments.
Build and Design Overview
The EG4 features sturdy metal casing, foldable handles, and recessed terminals for safety. It includes communication ports and a ground screw, and it has an optional and simple touchscreen for quick status checks when you don’t feel like using the app. The battery’s internal design is well-organized, with fire arresters and temperature sensors to ensure safe operation under various conditions.
Overall, there just isn’t anything we dislike here. On paper, it’s well made and has all of the design features you would want out of a server rack battery.
Price and Value Breakdown
While it’s certainly a very capable battery in its own right, one of the most attractive features of the EG4 LL battery is its low price point. It retails for just $1,599, but it's regularly available on sale for less, with $1,299 being a fairly common offer through both Shop Solar and Signature Solar.
This sale price brings the cost down to $253 per kWh, making it an economically attractive option for most residential solar power systems.
Our Performance Tests and Results
While we couldn't deny that all of this sounded great at first glance, we wanted to get down to the nitty-gritty and actually test the EG4 battery for ourselves. Here’s what we found:
Temperature Resilience and Safety:
In real-world situations, batteries need to withstand a range of temperatures for both safety and efficiency reasons. The EG4 LL battery is rated to discharge at temperatures as low as -4°F and operate up to 167°F. For our tests, we placed the battery in a deep freezer at -16.6°F.
When we fired it up after it was sitting in the freezer, the battery’s alarm indicated it was in protection mode, refusing to charge, demonstrating effective low-temperature protection.
Load Handling:
The battery is rated for a 100 Ah load, which is roughly 5,120 watts. It performed well when we tested it with varying loads, maintaining its efficiency throughout. In tests, the battery managed to sustain an hour-long load at near-maximum capacity, which means it lines up perfectly with what EG4 says about its efficiency and reliability.
Our Main Takeaways: Pros & Cons
The Pros:
Ease of Setup: The battery is straightforward to install, with clear instructions and dip switches for configuration. If you’re running multiple batteries, they can be wired together with ease. Plus, the optional server rack makes things even easier, and the built-in wheels help if you need to move your battery bank around for any reason.
Built-in Safety Features: Recessed terminals and multiple connection points enhance safety and flexibility, especially when you are installing the batteries as part of a full system. The temperature sensors and protection mode are also really appreciated given how temperature-sensitive batteries can be.
Affordability and Optional Screen: We already mentioned the reasonable price point, but it’s also worth mentioning that the battery is available with or without a touchscreen, providing another cost-saving opportunity.
Customer Support: Both Signature Solar and Shop Solar, two of the primary distributors, offer excellent customer service with knowledgeable support staff.
The Cons:
Flawed Handle Design: It’s not a major issue, but we found that the foldable handles can cause pretty painful finger jams. When you also remember this is a heavy battery, we just would have really preferred if they put a bit of extra thought into the handle design.
Our Final Thoughts: Is the EG4’s Popularity Justified?
Put simply, the EG4 LL 48V Server Rack Battery lives up to its reputation and popularity.
Even though we were actively looking for flaws with our tests, it offered solid performance and excellent value for money. It was also really easy to install and use, which is a major plus for beginners.
We just couldn’t really find much to dislike. Its robust design and efficient operation would make it a reliable choice for various applications, including most off-grid setups and backup power systems. Despite a minor handling issue, the advantages just far outweigh the drawbacks.
Whether you’re looking to buy a few individual batteries or bundle them into a complete kit, the EG4 LL battery offers the perfect mix of affordability, reliability, and user-friendly features.
It’s not overhyped; it genuinely delivers!
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