Why Should You Switch From Lead Acid Batteries to Lithium Batteries?

Batteries have been a part of everyday life for decades. These convenient power storage systems are all around us, portable devices, home appliances, means of transportation, work equipment, you name it. To understand how a lithium iron phosphate battery is better than a lead acid battery, it is crucial to know how both function, their advantages, and their overall performance compared to each other.

Lead Acid vs. Lithium Batteries: What Are They Made of and How Do They Work?

The principle by which lead acid and lithium batteries generate electricity is the same. Although they each have specific components and elements, they both produce electricity thanks to an electrochemical reaction that either causes a charge or a discharge. 

Discharge.

A discharge occurs when there is a movement of negative electrons to positive electrons through an electrolyte substance.

Charge.

Contrary to a discharge, a charge happens when there is a movement of positive electrons to negative electrons.

Lead Acid Batteries

In a lead acid battery, lead dioxide is the cathode, lead is the anode, and sulfuric acid combined with water is the electrolyte. 

Although they were invented many decades ago, lead acid batteries are surprisingly still used today, mainly for power storage systems and ignition power in vehicles such as motorbikes, cars, scooters, and even boats. 

Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries

In a lithium iron phosphate battery, lithium oxide is the cathode, carbon is the anode, and lithium salt is the electrolyte. Different from a lead acid battery, a LiFePO4 battery has more components. In addition, there are two conductive metal layers on the opposite external sides, copper on one side, aluminum on the other, and a separator.

LiFePO4 batteries are commonly found in electric cars, electric scooters, solar power backup storage systems for either houses or off-grid use in RVs, and many more everyday portable devices and applications.

Lead Acid vs. Lithium Batteries: Which One Has a Longer Life Cycle?

To start comparing these two types of batteries, we must first look at their lifespan cycles. A lead acid battery's lifespan varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but it certainly lasts less than LFP batteries. 

Why do lead-acid batteries have a shorter lifespan? Well, the key factors that cause a lead acid battery to have a shorter life cycle are:

• Temperature changes

Extreme temperatures affect batteries in various ways. A higher self-discharge rate occurs due to faster chemical reactions inside the battery. Low temperatures lead to water inside the battery freezing and damaging the cells.

• Poor maintenance

Not frequently recharging it; deep discharges for long periods of time.

• Strong vibrations

Vibrations can mess with the arrangement of the cell's internal components. There is a risk that when there are vibrations, the positive and negative electrodes touch each other, and they short out right away; this can ultimately damage the entire cell or even the whole battery.

• Chemical reactions

Natural chemical reactions such as corrosion, loss of electrolytes, stratification, etc., which the user has no control over and cannot foresee.

It is evident that lead acid batteries require more attention and maintenance, and are also highly susceptible to occurrences that the user cannot control over now prevent. Whether it's due to natural chemical reactions or the unfortunate movement of its components inside, even if you give them the maintenance they require, internal occurrences not under the user's control can happen and will damage your battery entirely. 

Unlike lead-acid batteries, LFP batteries don't present toxic leaks that might harm you or the environment. They can be installed in any direction that adapts to your reduced space, and you can rest assured your surroundings will be safe and sound. Worth mentioning that lithium iron phosphate batteries tolerate a partial state of charge with no damage from the PSoC, a convenience that won't affect the battery's integrity.

Lead Acid Batteries vs. Lithium Batteries: Comparison

• Depth of discharge

Lithium iron phosphate batteries have a better depth of discharge (DOD) than lead acid batteries. Depth of discharge is a percentage of how much of the battery's charge capacity has been discharged. An LFP battery has an average depth of discharge of 80%, whereas a lead acid battery has a low DOD of only 50%. 

Suppose you are looking for a secure and long-lasting option. In that case, a lithium iron phosphate battery offers a high lifespan of over 2,500 cycles at 100% DOD, and it's utterly maintenance-free with a great low self-discharge rate.

• Weight

For the same capacity, LiFePO4 batteries are much lighter than lead acid batteries, and this is because of their much higher energy density. Lithium batteries are generally one-third of the weight of lead-acid batteries, and the main reason is because of their components. Lead acid batteries are heavier because of their high lead content, whereas LFP batteries use a lighter element.

• Battery management

Built-in BMS lithium batteries render a high discharging capability and lengthen the battery's life cycle. A BMS is one of the most crucial components in an LFP battery because it protects it from internal and external factors. Examples of these are, overcharging, over-discharging, and temperature fluctuations, and it does so by monitoring the voltage and the current to prevent any damage. 

Lithium Batteries: The Optimum for Long-Lasting Energy

In conclusion, LiFePO4 batteries are the way to go when looking for a worthwhile investment. Let's recap why they are the ideal choice for your energy storage needs compared to lead-acid batteries. 

LFP batteries offer:

Longer lifespan, high depth of discharge percentage, requires no maintenance, lightweight, built-in BMS, tolerates partial charge, environment-friendly, safe for the user.

Although lead acid batteries are the storage energy pioneers that have been used for decades and still work to this day, the advantages that lithium iron phosphate batteries offer surpasses what lead acid batteries have done for society in the last decades. Having learned thoroughly what an LFP battery offers compared to a lead-acid battery, you can be sure that switching to lithium batteries is the correct move.