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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 are built right at the limit of 3500kg. So once the tanks are full, the passengers are seated, and you have loaded your gear, the vehicle is likely at its weight limit.
Life cycle
The initial cost of lithium batteries is substantially higher than that of traditional batteries, but in exchange, you will probably get about 10 times as many cycles (a cycle means discharging the battery and recharging, which counts as one cycle). An average deep-cycle battery typically has about 250 cycles, whereas a Lithium battery has approximately 2500 cycles, simply because it is a more modern battery type.
Technology
Lithium batteries will feature a high-end battery management system with Bluetooth connectivity, which connects to any mobile phone via an App. This 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%. Deep discharge of traditional batteries can cause corrosion on the lead plates and shorten the battery's lifespan. Lithium batteries can be discharged almost all the way before the battery management system turns off 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 usable 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 take longer to recharge; in other words, they cannot absorb energy quickly. 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 noting that lithium batteries charge and discharge at different voltages than lead-acid batteries. It is therefore important to ensure that your charge systems are operating according to the correct charge criteria and that, if batteries of different types are linked in any way during the charge cycle, the correct equipment is installed to prevent incidents. We have seen some expensive failures with DIY installations when this factor was not given sufficient attention.
Lithium batteries in motorhomes
The cost of fitting lithium batteries in motorhomes is likely to be higher than in caravans. This might be the case because the motorhome has a lead-acid start battery and an alternator, which should be connected to the lithium house battery to charge it whilst driving. Because the start battery and the house battery don't share the same charging criteria, you will need a DC-DC charger to connect the two battery types. The cost of running adequate cables and fitting the DC-DC charger adds to the total installation costs, whereas with a caravan, you do not have that problem because the caravan battery is not linked to a start battery
Conclusion
Lithium batteries are lighter and smarter, have a longer lifespan, deliver more energy, and can be discharged almost fully; once discharged, they recharge more quickly 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. AGM batteries are heavy but cheap; they charge slowly, and you cannot use the full capacity of the battery. They have the same charging criteria as the start battery in a motorhome, so they don't require any special equipment to accommodate them. So, in short, lithium is a very good choice, and we have been studying it for many years now. The latest battery technology is highly reliable, with internal cell management that extends battery life.
If you go on regular extended journeys in your RV, then lithium makes sense, but if you only use your caravan or motorhome for a limited time each year, you probably don't need to invest in an expensive lithium upgrade.
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