Electrics: Trion T-Rex, German-made lithium battery for consumer and motor

With the T-Rex, Trion Battery is positioning itself as a new supplier in the market for marine lithium batteries. Unlike many imported products, the lithium battery is manufactured entirely in Germany - from cell assembly to the finished battery. The cell-to-pack technology and the robust BMS are designed to make the T-Rex particularly suitable for demanding applications: large diesel engines with high starter currents, bow thrusters and the simultaneous supply of extensive on-board electronics.

Production in Germany

Trion Battery produces in Ottendorf-Okrilla near Dresden. The subsidiary Liacon, founded in 2014, operates one of the largest lithium-ion battery factories in Europe with cell assembly lines. Only the housings and the BMS are bought in, with the electronics developed according to Trion's specifications in order to cope with the currents required to start the engine.

Extreme peak currents for starting applications

The T-Rex differs from many lithium supply batteries in its ability to deliver very high currents. The continuous discharge current is 150 amperes, the peak currents are significantly higher: 150 to 200 amperes are possible for up to 10 minutes, 300 to 450 amperes for 60 seconds, 450 to 700 amperes for 10 seconds and up to 1,200 amperes for 5 seconds. The Battery Management System (BMS) switches off automatically in the event of an overload before the cells or BMS overheat. With 1,000 cold-start amps, the battery can also start large diesel engines. At the same time, with a capacity of 1.92 kilowatt hours, it provides sufficient energy for the on-board power supply.

Technical equipment

The lithium battery is based on 50 Ah pouch cells with LiFePO4 chemistry. The nominal voltage is 12.8 volts, the BMS switches off at 9.2 volts. Charging is continuous with up to 150 amps, peak currents of up to 220 amps are possible for short periods. The recommended charging voltage is 14.8 volts, the BMS limits this to 15.6 volts.

The housing is protected against water and dust to IP67 and cannot be opened. The lithium battery weighs 22 kilograms and measures 340 x 179 x 240 millimetres. Up to four batteries can be connected in parallel. The temperature range is wide: discharging is possible from minus 35 to plus 70 degrees Celsius, charging from 0 to 60 degrees. The BMS switches off at over 80 degrees. Passive cell balancing and short-circuit protection are also integrated.

Availability and distribution

The T-Rex will be sold by Reimo, a supplier of motorhome and caravan components, from 2026. The price for the 150 Ah version will be around 1,500 euros. There is not yet a specialised sales channel for water sports.

Technical data

Electrical specifications:

• Cell type: 50 Ah pouch cells, LiFePO4
• Nominal voltage: 12.8 V
• Nominal capacity: 150 Ah
• Energy content: 1.92 kWh
• Discharge power: Continuous 150 A, peak currents 200 A (<10 min), 300 A (<5 min), 450 A (60 sec), 700 A (10 sec), 1,200 A (5 sec), >1,200 A (2 sec)
• Cold start amperes: 1,000 A
• Charging power: Continuous: 150 A, peak currents: 220 A (<10 min), 400 A (cut-off 2 sec)
• Recommended charging voltage: 14.8 V

Mechanical:

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 340 x 179 x 240 mm
• Weight: 22 kg
• Format: BCI Group 31
• Protection class: IP67

Alternative lithium dual-purpose batteries

• Mastervolt MLI Ultra
• RELiON RB Series (certain models)

More about lithium batteries

Lithium batteries basics

• Comparison of lead and lithium batteries - full charge
• What you should know about lithium iron phosphate batteries

Starter batteries

• When are lithium batteries suitable for starters and bow thrusters?

Monitoring

• Determine the fill level of the on-board batteries with Smart Shunt