You’ve heard that lithium batteries can offer some serious advantages to lead-acid batteries, despite the high upfront cost. Some of these relative advantages seriously offset the high cost.
But the potential value of lithium batteries goes well beyond the ordinary. See if you knew the following about lithium batteries and technology.
Lithium Batteries Have Very High Energy Density
The term “energy density” gets thrown around quite a lot without getting defined. Basically, energy density is how much energy a battery can store relative to its weight and volume.
Lithium is a very light, low-density element, and it is also highly reactive; as a result, lithium batteries that are much smaller and lighter than alternatives can hold a great amount of energy.
Lithium Batteries Do Not Experience Deficit Cycling
To keep it as simple as possible, deficit cycling is basically when not as much energy is returned to a battery as has been drawn from it, and the battery is then fully discharged.
If the battery is not restored with a full charge before being completely discharged, its capacity will decrease over time.
This is a considerable issue with lead acid batteries but it does not affect lithium ion batteries.
They Offer a Long Service Life As an Energy Storage Solution
Some estimates suggest that lithium ion batteries can offer as many as 10,000 discharge cycles, which is much higher on average than associated figures for lead-acid batteries.
As such, lead-acid batteries need to be replaced every few years, but lithium batteries generally do not.
Battery Management Systems (AKA a BMS) Can Significantly Improve Safety and Reliability
There are some safety concerns associated with some types of lithium ion batteries (covered below) but these can be mitigated through the inclusion of a BMS, or battery management system, in the design.
A battery management system will balance out the cells of the battery during charging, which will help ensure an even charge and optimal charging levels, and it will also help prevent overheating and other issues.
Some Are Not Subject to Thermal Runaway or Catastrophic Meltdown
Lithium, being an extremely reactive element, can be dangerous and difficult to handle and contain. As a result, some types of lithium batteries can experience thermal runaway, overheat, or catch fire if they are mishandled, improperly stored, or subjected to unforgiving conditions.
Lithium iron phosphate batteries, or LiFePo4 batteries, offer a remarkably stable lithium ion chemistry when compared to nearly all other alternatives.
These types of lithium ion batteries are much more stable, and less prone to overheating, thermal runaway, and other dangerous conditions, even when they are mishandled or abused.
They Don’t Vent Gasses or Contain Caustic Electrolytes
One potential annoyance associated with lead-acid batteries is that you must be very careful about how and where you charge them, and what the conditions are like. These batteries emit explosive gasses such as hydrogen during charging, which can make it extremely dangerous to charge them in closed spaces – like regular battery compartments.
Lithium ion batteries do not emit these gasses during charging and they also don’t contain the caustic, corrosive liquid electrolytes of lead acid batteries.
Self-Discharge Is Very Low
The self-discharge of lithium batteries is very low compared to lead-acid batteries. Lead-acid batteries often discharge at a rate of approximately 3% to 5% per month, whereas lithium batteries usually only self-discharge to the tune of about .5% to 3% per month.
Interested in Learning More About Lithium Batteries?
Thinking about replacing any lead-acid batteries with lithium batteries? For more information, visit BigBattery and get in touch with their customer service team if you have any questions. They carry a wide variety of lithium batteries for golf carts, boats, RVs, solar energy systems, and much more.
