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In this article, we will be comparing the weight, durability, improved technology, and benefits of lithium batteries compared to traditional deep cycle batteries
Weight
The Li+AGE Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery is about half the weight of a traditional deep cycle battery of the same capacity and weight does matter when you are towing a lightweight European caravan, It certainly makes a difference in a modern European motorhome, because most of them are built right on the limit of 3500kg. So once the tanks are full, the passengers are seated, and you have loaded your gear, the vehicle is probably on the weight limit.
Life cycle
The initial cost of lithium batteries is substantially higher than traditional batteries, but in exchange, you will probably get about ten times more cycles (a cycle means discharging the battery and recharging, which counts as one cycle). An average deep cycle battery will generally have about 250 cycles, whereas a Lithium battery will have approximately 2500 cycles, just because it is a more modern battery type.
Technology
Lithium batteries will have a high-end battery management system built in with Bluetooth communication, which connects to any mobile phone via an App, which is a major plus because it saves the installation costs of battery monitors, etc, So there is no need to run cables or cut holes. Just get your phone out and connect wirelessly straight to the battery to monitor its state.
Available energy
Traditional deep-cycle batteries do not like being discharged more than about 50%. The deep discharge of traditional batteries causes corrosion on the lead plates and shortens the life cycle of the battery. Lithium batteries can be discharged almost all the way until the battery management system turns off the power to protect the cells, so when comparing a 100A/hr deep cycle battery discharged at 50% to a 100A/hr lithium battery discharged at 90%. You can conclude from this that the useable capacity of the same-sized battery is almost double when comparing a lithium battery with a traditional battery. So to be fair you should really be comparing the cost and weight of a 200A/hr traditional battery with a 100A/hr lithium battery.
Charging
Traditional lead acid batteries require more time to recharge; in other words, they cannot absorb energy very fast. Why does this matter? It matters a lot because the solar system only works during the day, and on winter days, it can be a very short day besides, the output of a solar panel is about 80% greater in full sunshine than in overcast conditions, so the energy needs to be harvested quickly when the sun is out, lithium batteries will absorb that energy about five times faster than traditional batteries. It is worth mentioning that lithium batteries charge and discharge at a different voltage than lead acid batteries. It is therefore important to ensure that your charge systems are working to the correct charge criteria, and if the batteries of different types are linked in any way during the charge cycle the correct equipment is installed to make that happen without incident. We have seen some expensive failures with DIY installations when little attention was paid to this factor.
Conclusion
Lithium batteries are lighter and smarter, have a longer life cycle, have more available energy, and can be discharged almost fully; once discharged, they recharge quicker than any traditional battery. The downside is that they cost a bit more, but the value for money is greater, especially if you think long-term. So in short, lithium is a very good choice, and we have been studying it for many years now; the latest battery technology has become very reliable as the batteries have internal cell management that prolongs the battery life.
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