It’s easy to get lost in the weeds with an article detailing the relative virtues of either lead-acid or lithium marine batteries. Opinions are fiery on both sides of the camp; lithium fanatics have plenty of virtues to tout, but lead lovers are not without their comebacks – lithium is expensive, and, as they say “it’ll burn your boat.”
But the truth is a bit more nuanced than this. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between these marine batteries.
About Lead-Acid Marine Batteries
Lead-acid marine batteries are the standard and have been for many years. They are heavier and bulkier than lithium batteries, but they are also considerably more affordable, which alone makes them highly attractive to some casual boaters.
Besides cost and convention, it’s also the case that lead-acid systems are a lot more simplistic than lithium batteries. You can seriously damage a lithium marine battery with just one charge or discharge mistake (such as letting the battery remain dead in the cold) whereas lead batteries are amazingly tolerant of misuse.
Not to suggest that you can’t ruin a good lead-acid battery; it’s just that they can handle abuse a bit better than lithium batteries.
Lithium batteries that are not stored properly do also produce a much higher risk of fire than lead-acid batteries, though fires on boats can be caused by improper storage or charging of either type of battery.
That being said, there are numerous significant benefits of lithium marine batteries that cannot be ignored.
About Lithium Marine Batteries
While lithium marine batteries and the systems necessary for charging and managing them are much more expensive than lead-acid batteries, there are some very important advantages that accompany the cost.
One is that lithium batteries are much lighter and more compact than lead-acid batteries. This is a bonus on small boats, and saves space in the battery compartments of larger boats as well.
There is no off-gassing with lithium batteries when you charge them, which reduces explosion hazards; they also charge more quickly than lead-acid and have a much higher energy density. On top of that, lithium marine batteries will survive considerably more charge-discharge cycles (if properly maintained) than lead-acid batteries.
And, the concerns about thermal runaway with lithium have dropped significantly in recent years, especially with the advent of advanced battery management systems that help control the charge rate. Accidents still happen, but technology has improved by leaps and bounds, and when properly installed and maintained, a lithium marine battery system can be very safe.
It is true that lithium batteries are not tolerant of being left dead, especially when exposed to extreme temperatures (mostly the cold), but if you are judicious about keeping the battery charged and protected against extremes, you will more than likely reap the benefit of the longer lifespan for which lithium batteries are so well-known.
At the end of the day, while it is true that there are still advancements to be made in the lithium marine battery industry, there is a strong case to be made that they can provide a serviceable, superior-performing alternative to lead-acid batteries, provided you purchase a quality battery with a battery management system (BMS) and install it correctly.
Make the Switch Today
Ultimately, whether lead-acid or lithium batteries will work better given your needs, your boat, and how frequently you use it, is up to you. That said, let this reference serve as a starting point if you are thinking about switching over to lithium from lead-acid. You may find it pays off in the long run; you will need to replace your batteries less, at the very least.
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