You’ve just set up camp under the stars, your 12V fridge is running, lights are on, and your devices are charging. Life is good! Until your battery taps out earlier than expected.
If you’re a 4WD enthusiast, caravan traveller, or love escaping to remote corners of Australia. Then you must know that reliable power isn’t a luxury, but a lifeline.
Hence, the battle of lithium vs. lead acid batteries gets started.
Should you stick with tried-and-tested lead formula or invest in modern lithium tech? Why do lithium batteries cost more? Are they really worth more money or is just a scam?
Let’s find out in this lithium vs lead acid debate by Topo DC Power. We’ll explain the working of both and compare the key qualities to help you choose the best option. The one that’s lighter on your nerves & also on your pocket.
Lithium vs. Lead Acid Batteries: Understanding the Working Mechanism
Before talking about the qualities, let’s first explore how both batteries work. It will help you understand their features better.
Lead Acid Batteries
Lead batteries are the traditional workhorses. They operate by converting chemical energy into electrical energy through a reaction between lead plates and sulfuric acid. They’ve been around for over a century & still their technology hasn’t evolved much.
They’re bulky, heavy, and require regular maintenance.
Lithium Batteries
On the other hand, lithium deep cycle batteries are modern and efficient. They use lithium ions moving between the anode and cathode to store and release energy. Lithium deep cycle is ideal for today’s power-hungry applications.
They’re lighter, charge faster, and have a higher energy density.
Comparison Of 10 Key Qualities: Lithium Vs Lead Acid Battery
Now let’s discuss their specifications & features in detail.
1. Efficiency: Getting the Most Out of Your Charge
Efficiency is the first thing one should consider in a battery. especially when you’re relying on solar panels or limited charging opportunities. It is the measure of charges in battery that are actually usable.
- Lithium Batteries: Have an impressive efficiency rate of over 95%. Means more of the input energy is stored and available for use.
- Lead Acid Batteries: Lag behind with an efficiency of around 70-85%, leading to more energy loss during charging and discharging.
The reason for high efficiency is low amount of internal resistance in lithium ion deep cycle battery. So, lower energy is wasted as heat in them.
2. Capacity: How Much Can You Store?
Capacity is the amount of charge a battery can store.
It really depends on model but lithium batteries have the ability to store more charges in a given space. Means the lead on ones have to increase their size in order to match the capacity ratings to it.
- Charge storage in lead acid battery: 1kWh in 30Kg
- Charge storage in deep cycle lithium battery: 1kWh in 6Kg
Hence, lithium deep cycle batteries take the lead & offer a higher usable capacity compared to lead acid batteries.
3. Depth of Discharge (DoD): How Much Can You Take?
The depth of discharge indicates how much you can drain the battery. It is the amount of the battery’s capacity that can be used without causing damage.
- Lithium Batteries: Can safely handle a DoD of up to 85%, so you can use more of the stored energy.
- Lead Acid Batteries: Recommended to keep the DoD around 50% to avoid reducing the battery’s lifespan.
So, when you keep using lead acid battery below 50%, it gets damaged & won’t last long.
4. Cost: Upfront Investment
Cost is the only area where lead acid wins from lithium deep cycle batteries.
At first glance, prices of lithium batteries appear higher & unjustified. They’re more expensive upfront compared to lead acid batteries with same ratings. On the other hand, lead acid provides a cheaper alternative.
However, when considering the total cost of ownership, we have to consider several factors. Like lifespan, maintenance costs & replacement needs.
5. Cycle Life: Charging and Discharging Over Time
When you discharge a battery to run your devices & then recharge it from power source, it counts as one “cycle”. Cycle life refers to the number of cycles a battery can undergo before its capacity drops below a certain percentage.
- Lithium Batteries: Offer between 3,000 to 5,000 cycles.
- Lead Acid Batteries: Provide around 400-500 cycles.
So, Li ion battery vs lead acid battery really means 10:1 cycle life. And you can enjoy the same capacity of charge for 10x longer period with lithium.
6. Lifespan: How Long Will They Last?
Another important feature for calculating cost is life span. Because what is the point of cheaper price if you have to buy again & again? Durability is primary requirement, especially for those who frequently venture off-grid.
- Lithium Batteries: Last between 10 to 15 years, depending on usage.
- Lead Acid Batteries: Have a lifespan of 3 to 12 years.
Moreover, if you want lead acid battery to complete its lifespan, you need to maintain it right.
7. Maintenance: Keeping Things Running
Nobody wants to spend their adventure time maintaining batteries. And that’s another reason why most of the people choose 12v lithium deep cycle battery.
- Lithium Batteries: No need for water top-ups or regular checks.
- Lead Acid Batteries: Require periodic maintenance, including checking electrolyte levels and cleanliness of terminals.
Lithium is also prone to sulphation process, the main culprit behind lead acid battery degradation.
8. Size & Weight: Portability Concerns
If you are a traveller, these specs are the most important ones for you. As you can’t carry the bulky box of chemical with you on rough terrains.
- Lithium Batteries: Compact and lightweight. A 12v lithium deep cycle battery can weigh up to 5 times less than its lead acid counterpart.
- Lead Acid Batteries: Bulky and heavy as they need more chemical to accommodate the same amount of charge as lithium battery.
That’s why, deep cycle lithium batteries suit more to the space- restraint applications.
9. Harms & Toxins: Environmental Impact
Nowadays, with increasing global warming, environment consideration is more important than ever. Among our battery options:
- Lithium Batteries: Don’t release any significant toxins in air & have a lower environmental impact due to longer lifespan.
- Lead Acid Batteries: Contain toxic lead and sulfuric acid, posing environmental risks if not disposed of properly. Also release hydrogen into air while charging.
The use of lead acid batteries is banned in food sector because of these reasons.
10. Safety: Keeping Risks at Bay
Safety is paramount, especially in remote locations. Your battery needs to be safe for long routes and long hours of working.
- Lithium Batteries: Equipped with built-in safety features like overcharge protection and thermal management systems.
- Lead Acid Batteries: Risk of acid leaks and no safety devices are attached.
So, now it’s time to decide. Is the high cost of lithium worth its features?
Balancing Upfront Costs with Maintenance Expenses
It’s true, deep cycle lithium batteries will hit your wallet harder at first. But the story doesn’t end with the purchase price. Let’s make it simpler for you with an example.
Imagine you’re powering a 4WD and need a battery system that gives you around 100Ah of usable capacity.
- To get 100Ah of usable energy from a lead acid battery, you’ll need a 200Ah battery. Why? Because you shouldn’t discharge a lead acid battery beyond 50% or you can damage it. It means you should pay double the actual price of lead acid battery.
- On the other hand, a 12v lithium deep cycle battery can be safely discharged to around 90%. So, a 100Ah lithium battery will suffice to get the same usable energy.
Moreover, over a 10-year period, you’ll end up replacing that lead acid battery 2-3 times. Means total expense will go to 6 folds of actual price. While the lithium deep cycle alternative? Just a one-time purchase.
Verdict on Lithium Vs. Lead Acid Batteries: Which One Actually Costs Less?
Lithium deep cycle batteries come with a higher initial price tag. But their minimal maintenance and longer lifespan often make them more cost-effective in the long run. Plus, you get more efficiency & advanced features.
Conversely, lead acid batteries are cheaper upfront. But are riskier & cost higher due to maintenance and replacement costs over time.
Ready to Power Up Your Adventures?
Explore Topo DC Power’s Advanced Battery Solutions
At Topo DC Power, we provide top-tier low-voltage power solutions for the Australian outdoors. Our range of lithium ion deep cycle batteries keeps you powered during your adventures, offering reliability, efficiency, and peace of mind.