The market for lithium-ion batteries worldwide size is expected to grow by more than 12 percent in the period between 2021- 2030 as opposed to the anticipated growth of 5 percent in the lead-acid battery market during the same time frame. However, despite the rapid acceptance of lithium-ion batteries for stationary and mobile applications, like boats and golf carts, RVs and in houses, there are a few misconceptions about lithium batteries persist.

When you’re trying to decide between different kinds of lithium batteries or lead-acid and lithium batteries, it can be difficult to discern between fact and fiction. We’ve examined and dispelled the most popular myths about lithium batteries below to help you make a better decision process.

Myth #1 The Lithium battery is costlier than lead acid batteries

What is the price Prismatic LiFePo4 Cells batteries set you back? Although it’s true that lithium batteries generally come with a higher initial price but they also have an extended lifespan and a much higher usable capacity than lead-acid batteries. One Lifepo4 battery can last 10 times longer than lead-acid batteries on average. The price of lithium-ion batteries over time could be significantly less expensive than lead-acid. The cycle life is measured by the number of cycles a Lithium Battery is depleted and recharged before it has to be replaced. Lithium-ion batteries have a 5,000–10,000-cycle life.

This is when the battery has been discharged at around 80 percent. Flooded lead-acid or VRLA batteries, however, have a 400 to 500-cycle life when discharged at around 80 percent. If you were to cycle your lithium battery every day, it would provide over 14 years of battery life while a typical lead-acid battery typically will last less than 2 years.

Beyond the cycle’s life, what people is often not factored into the equation is that you will need to buy a number of lead-acid batteries that can triple, double, or even quadruple the amount for the same capacity usable as a smaller number of lithium batteries.

This is because the majority of people focus on the total rating, or nameplate capacity of batteries (i.e. the amount of kWh that the battery theoretically capable of storing) instead of its usable capacity (i.e. the amount of kWh that the battery is capable of holding after factoring in the depth of dischargeas well as efficiency, and charges and discharge rate limitations). Nameplate capacity capacities versus usable capacity the same way you imagine the salary mentioned in the offer letter from your employer in comparison to your actual take-home pay.

In the ideal scenario, your offer letter states that you’ll make $70,000, however after taking out social security, taxes as well as healthcare expenses taken out, you’re left with just $55,000 in usable earnings. Lead-acid batteries have lower permissible capacity, discharge depths of discharge, efficacy levels and charge/discharge charges which directly affect the quantity of batteries you will need to buy in the beginning however, they also impact the levelized cost of Storage or the overall cost per kWh that you receive from batteries over its lifespan.

RV Batteries in Cold Weather

Myth 2: The lithium batteries won’t work in cold temperatures.

When you’re planning to utilize the lithium battery or lead acid batteries cold temperatures should be considered because they could cause irreparable damage to specific kinds of batteries. For instance, in the case of normal lead-acid batteries cold temperatures can significantly affect the performance over time and extend the life of the battery. Below 32degF temperatures can significantly reduce the efficiency and usable capacity for lead-acid batteries. These batteries provide 70-80 percent of their capacity at temperatures of 32degF.

Are lithium batteries suitable for frigid weather? Lithium-ion batteries are able to function with very little capacity loss and efficiency when temperatures are cold, offering 95-98 percent capacity when temperatures are 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Even at 14deg F temperatures, LifePO4 batteries can provide the majority of advertised capacity. The more power you use a lead-acid battery during low temperatures, lower the performance becomes. In contrast to lead-acid batteries battery in cold temperatures begin to warm up when they are used and will decrease the battery’s resistance and raise the voltage of the battery, allowing it to operate your equipment in a more efficient manner.

In addition that, charging in cold temperatures also calls for an entirely different procedure and is vital if you wish to make your investment in energy storage last for a long time. Every battery, whether lithium or lead acid – will require a more complicated charging process once temperatures start to decrease. The lead-acid batteries are more limited in acceptable charging conditions as compared to lithium batteries. Both lithium and lead-acid batteries have to be within their specific temperature ranges , and should be recharged at a slower rate than the normal. For instance while charging your lithium iron-phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) when it is cold temperatures particularly when temperatures fall below 32 degrees F The charge current needs to be decreased to 0.1C and, when charging your LFP batteries at temperatures below 14degF, the charging current should be decreased to 0.05C. If you don’t do this, it can result in irreparable damage to the battery.

At Melasta, we’ve overcome this issue of the charging of lithium batteries at cold temperatures, by developing and constructing a LiFePO4 low-temperature battery dubbed the LT Series. These LT battery has been meticulously constructed and tested to excel in cold weather conditions since they are able to charge at temperatures of 20degC (-4degF) with an ordinary charger. It is the melasta MB12100-LT 12v 100AH Deep Cycle Lithium Battery features unique technology that draws the power of the charger and does not require any additional components. When the battery is connected into the normal lithium charger the inbuilt heating system and monitor will take care of the remainder. They also have an extremely robust BMS, or battery management system (BMS) which protects batteries from damage that could be irreparable in extreme cold temperatures.

LiFePO4 Battery Power Supply On The Beach

Myth #3 That all lithium batteries are dangerous in their own way

You’ve seen reports of lithium batteries found in hoverboards smartphones, laptops, vehicles and even homes burning But did you know that none of the lithium batteries are the risk of fire? There are several different types of lithium batteries:

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP or LiFePO4)

Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC)

Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO)

Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO)

Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (NCA)

In contrast to lithium-cobalt-based battery chemistry, LiFePO4 batteries generate very minimal heat. This is because LiFePO4 batteries are very stable chemical properties. LiFePO4 batteries also have the most robust structural and chemical composition that is able to resist overheat to dangerous levels. This is due to the fact that the uncharged and charged states of the batteries are physically identical and extremely robust, allowing the ions to stay in equilibrium during the flux of oxygen that happens in charge cycle. Overall, the oxygen as well as the phosphorus atoms found in LiFePO4 batteries are tightly linked through covalent bonding, in contrast to the weaker bond between cobalt and oxygen in cobalt-based lithium batteries such as LCO, NMC, and NCA. This means that when the LiFePO4 battery is charged too high or is subjected to physical damage the phosphate-oxide bonds remain in a stable structure, while the bonds in lithium-cobalt-based batteries start breaking down and release excess heat, which ultimately causes thermal runaway.

Because they are intrinsically more secure, LiFePO4 batteries therefore also don’t require the extra components and, consequently, the cost, of cooling and heat-reduction equipment needed for lithium batteries made of cobalt. LiFePO4 batteries, in addition to being non-combustible and can withstand extreme environments, and even when they are exposed to dangerous situations – like collisions or short-circuiting, they will not explode. LiFePO4 batteries are safe, non-toxic solution for the long term and are a good investment which is the reason why all melasta  lithium batteries are made with the most modern LiFePO4 Chemistry.

The Bottom Line

From life span, depth of discharge and cold weather lithium battery charging, and battery security there are plenty of aspects to be considered when deciding the right battery for your next trip. It is good to be in possession of some of the most vital details to aid in making the decision to upgrade to melasta lithium batteries.

Contact our team of experts to find out more about the advantages you will gain by switching into lithium battery.