Victron Lithium NG batteries are Victron’s newest LiFePO4 batteries, in 12.8V, 25.6V and 51.2V sizes. They don’t have a built-in BMS. Instead, each battery reports cell data to an external Victron NG BMS, which you have to buy separately. Here’s what Victron’s Lithium NG datasheet says, and what that BMS requirement means for your build.
Victron Lithium NG Batteries: Specs
| Model | Energy | Max continuous discharge | Weight (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.8V 100Ah | 1,280Wh | 100A (1C) | 9kg |
| 12.8V 150Ah | 1,920Wh | 150A | 14kg |
| 12.8V 200Ah | 2,560Wh | 200A | 19kg |
| 12.8V 300Ah | 3,840Wh | 300A | 29kg |
| 25.6V 100Ah | 2,560Wh | 100A | 19kg |
| 25.6V 200Ah | 5,120Wh | 200A | 37kg |
| 25.6V 300Ah | 7,680Wh | 300A | 52kg |
| 51.2V 100Ah | 5,120Wh | 100A | 37kg |
Source: Victron Lithium NG batteries 12.8V, 25.6V and 51.2V datasheet.
- Cycle life: 2,500 cycles at 80% DoD, 3,000 at 70%, 5,000 at 50%.
- Pulse discharge: 2C for 10 seconds.
- Charge voltage: 14–14.4V per 12.8V battery; float 13.5V.
- Charge temperature: +5°C to +50°C. Discharge works down to -20°C.
- Protection: IP65, and they can be mounted on their sides (not terminals down).
- Self-discharge: 3% or less per month at 25°C.
The BMS Requirement
The datasheet calls the BMS mandatory. Victron’s NG BMS options include the Lynx Smart BMS NG (500A or 1000A), the VE.Bus BMS NG for MultiPlus/Quattro systems, and the smallBMS NG. The BMS gives a pre-alarm below 3.0V per cell, disconnects loads below 2.8V, and stops charging above 3.6V or at unsafe temperatures. It also detects the battery layout and updates the battery firmware.
Bank Size
Up to 50 batteries per BMS at 12V or 24V and 25 at 48V, for up to 192kWh (12V), 384kWh (24V) or 128kWh (48V), according to Victron.
Who They’re For
- All-Victron systems that want cell-level data in VictronConnect and VRM.
- Boats and outdoor installs that benefit from IP65.
- Large 24V and 48V banks.
Good to Know Before You Buy
- NG BMS only. Victron’s BMS datasheets separate NG batteries from the older Lithium Smart range, so pick an NG BMS.
- Extra cost of the BMS on top of the batteries.
- No charging below +5°C without a heated space.
Victron’s Lithium NG batteries product page has the full datasheet and manual downloads.
Worked Example: A 12V Van Bank
Two 12.8V 200Ah Lithium NG batteries in parallel give 400Ah, or about 5,120Wh. At the datasheet’s 80% depth of discharge for 2,500 cycles, that’s roughly 4,100Wh usable per cycle (estimate). Pair it with a smallBMS NG or a Lynx Smart BMS NG 500A, depending on whether you want the BMS to act as the main DC disconnect.
Worked Example: A 48V Home Backup Bank
Four 51.2V 100Ah batteries in parallel give about 20.5kWh. With two MultiPlus-II 48/5000 units, a Lynx Smart BMS NG and a Cerbo GX, the BMS controls charging and loads through DVCC. At 80% depth of discharge that’s around 16kWh usable, which could run an average 600W household load for about a day (estimate).
Worked Example: Cycle Life in Years
At one cycle a day:
| Depth of discharge | Datasheet cycles | Years at 1 cycle/day (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| 80% | 2,500 | ≈ 6.8 |
| 70% | 3,000 | ≈ 8.2 |
| 50% | 5,000 | ≈ 13.7 |
Estimates; many mobile systems cycle less than once a day, which stretches this further.
Choosing an NG BMS
| BMS | Typical use |
|---|---|
| smallBMS NG | Small 12V systems without a Victron inverter/charger, controlling loads and chargers via signal outputs |
| VE.Bus BMS NG | Systems built around a MultiPlus or Quattro |
| Lynx Smart BMS NG (500A or 1000A) | Larger systems that want a built-in contactor, a battery monitor and Lynx busbar integration |
Setup Steps
- Mount the batteries upright or on their sides (never terminals down), with the cables kept short and equal.
- Daisy-chain the BMS cables between batteries and connect the chain to the NG BMS.
- Connect the BMS outputs: load disconnect and charge disconnect, or the VE.Bus/GX link, depending on the BMS.
- Power up and let the BMS detect the battery layout.
- Open VictronConnect to check each cell’s voltage and update battery firmware through the BMS.
- On a GX device, enable DVCC so the chargers follow the BMS’s limits.
Charging Settings
For each 12.8V battery, Victron lists 14.0–14.4V absorption and 13.5V float. Multiply by two for 25.6V and by four for 51.2V. Charge only between +5°C and +50°C, so plan a heated or insulated space in cold climates.
Why IP65 Matters
The IP65 rating means the batteries are dust-tight and protected against water jets. That’s useful in boat lockers, trailer battery boxes and outdoor cabinets, where many lithium batteries would need an enclosure. It also allows side mounting, which helps in tight spaces under van floors or bunks.
Monitoring
Through the NG BMS, VictronConnect and VRM show state of charge, individual cell voltages, temperature and alarms. If you use a Lynx Smart BMS NG, its built-in battery monitor replaces a separate SmartShunt.
FAQ
Do Victron Lithium NG batteries have a built-in BMS?
They have cell monitoring and balancing, but they must connect to a separate Victron NG BMS.
Are they the same as Lithium Smart batteries?
No. Victron’s BMS datasheets stress that NG batteries are different from the Lithium Smart batteries without NG.
Can I mix Lithium NG sizes?
Keep batteries in a bank identical in voltage and capacity, connected to the same NG BMS.
Can I mix NG and older Lithium Smart batteries?
No. They need different BMS families, so keep each bank to one range.
Do I still need a SmartShunt?
With a Lynx Smart BMS NG, no, since it includes a battery monitor. With the smallBMS NG or VE.Bus BMS NG, a SmartShunt is the usual way to get state of charge.
What happens if a cell goes out of range?
The BMS gives a pre-alarm, then disconnects loads or stops charging to protect the cells, as described above.
Sources: Victron Lithium NG batteries datasheet; smallBMS NG and VE.Bus BMS NG datasheets; product page, victronenergy.com, accessed Oct 2026.
Related: LiTime 12V 50Ah LiFePO4 Battery Review, XZNY 12V 18Ah LiFePO4 Battery Review, Klein CL390 Clamp Meter Solar Panel Test, plus the Victron Energy Guide