Trying to find a battery for your brand new application? Don’t settle for a solution that seems right at first and then fails to deliver the power you need. Large applications, like vehicles and solar energy grids, carry big performance demands. While the traditional, inexpensive lead acid battery might appear viable at first, lithium solutions provide more power for a longer period.
Here are a few reasons why you should consider a lithium battery for your new application:
Capacity And Efficiency
Capacity is the raw power your battery holds between charges. Large applications, like watercraft and medical technologies, need to perform for long periods of time between charge sessions. Lithium batteries are the most efficient solution because they operate at 99% efficiency and lose very little power to natural discharge (i.e., energy loss while not in use) compared to lead acid batteries.
Lithium also provides power under pressure. A lithium battery lasts twice as long as a lead acid battery at a high discharge rate and is much more temperature tolerant. A 50-degree temperature difference reduces an average lead acid battery’s life span by 97%, while most lithium solutions are able to withstand the same spike with zero longevity loss.
Lithium also gives you much more power per square inch than lead acid, one of the many reasons the lithium-ion battery dominates mobile technology. For instance, a 15 pound lithium-ion battery provides almost as much usable capacity as a lead acid counterpart weighing 55 pounds.
Longevity
Most lithium batteries are capable of reaching 8,000 cycles (full charges and discharges), while lead acid batteries often can’t reach 500 cycles. That means lead acid solutions need to be replaced much more often, interrupting usage and ultimately racking up equitable, if not greater, expenses.
LiFePO4 batteries, a specific type of lithium battery, boast the most impressive life span: up to six years, on average. While capacity is typically lower than other lithium formulations, the LiFePO4 cell’s energy density diminished the least over its lifetime, making it a smart investment.
Additionally, lead acid battery performance suffers as charge approaches depletion, with serious adverse effects occurring with as high as 50% charge remaining. Conversely, lithium maintains performance right up until depletion, providing more power over the course of its life, especially in high-stress situations.
Charge Rate
Lithium batteries charge faster and better than lead acid counterparts. To charge a lead acid battery to full, multiple sessions are required, whereas lithium charges quicker and requires only a single session.
Keep in mind that different chargers restore power at different rates, so it’s critical to make sure you select the one best suited to your needs. If your application drains power frequently and demands uptime, you’ll want to invest in a high-rate charger.
No matter which power solution you choose, thoroughly review your application’s specifications so you’re able to find the best battery for your needs.