Lithium battery vs AGM battery for caravanning and camping

AGM or lithium? There was only one choice back in the good old days: lead-acid AGM; then along came iTechworld lithium batteries, and everything changed. Packed with safety features and technology that allows compatibility with existing charging methods, the new kids on the block are the perfect option for camping and caravanning.

 

Here's a review from a happy customer who changed from AGM to lithium and hasn't looked back.

 

 

 

What are the benefits of lithium batteries?

AGM and lead-acid batteries are cheaper; however, they simply do not last a long time. No doubt you are familiar with the tedious and back-breaking task of replacing AGM lead acid batteries? Was there installation costs involved? How often must you replace the AGM batteries? Every three to four years, five years if you are lucky? Do you have to forfeit other things in your rig to accommodate the heavy AGM batteries?

 

Why does a lithium battery cost more?

 

The initial outlay of $799 -$1199 for an iTechworld lithium battery can deter some people; however, the associated benefits of lithium batteries prove that they are well worth their price tag. A lithium battery is essentially a battery for life and will save you money and hassle in the long run with its higher efficiency, better life span, and weight reduction.

 

Can I get more power from a lithium battery?

Lithium batteries are a fraction of the weight of lead-acid caravan batteries. A standard 100ah lithium battery weighs approximately 10kg, now compare that to an AGM, which weighs 35kg. Batteries are usually the heaviest item you carry in your caravan, and most people have two batteries in their caravan, 70kg. A lithium caravan battery really comes into its own when you start looking at their energy density to weight ratio.

 

100Ah Lithium 10kg = 160Ah Lead Acid 52kg

120Ah Lithium 12kg = 200Ah Lead Acid 70kg 

200Ah Lithium 27kg = 360Ah Lead Acid 122kg

 

More usable power can be stored in a lithium battery using the same physical space. Because you can keep more energy with lithium technology, you can discharge more energy, thus powering more appliances for extended periods. A battery's DOD (depth of discharge) is the percentage of the battery that can be drained without damaging the battery. While it is customary to use 85 - 99% per cent of a lithium battery's total capacity, lead-acid batteries are damaged when discharged past 50 per cent, negatively impacting the battery's lifetime. Lithium technology's superior depth of discharge ensures that iTechworld lithium deep cycle batteries have an even higher effective capacity than lead-acid options, especially considering the higher energy density in lithium technology mentioned above. You get a higher battery capacity at a much lighter weight.

 

Do lithium batteries last longer?

 

All batteries will degrade over time and become less effective as they age. Discharging a battery to power your caravan or camping appliances and then recharging it with solar, 12v or 240v is called a "cycle". Lithium batteries will do more cycles than lead-acid batteries, leading to a longer effective lifespan. For example, the iTECH120X lithium deep cycle battery can cycle a minimum of 4000 times, whereas its lead-acid cousin will cycle up to 500/600 times.

 

 

Both lead-acid and lithium batteries can be effective options; however, it's usually the right decision to install a lithium battery given the various advantages of the technology – more extended lifetime, tremendous efficiencies, and immense energy density. The only real drawback of a lithium deep cycle battery is a higher upfront cost; however, iTechworld have a whole range of lithium batteries under the $1000 price point.

 

Bottom line? While you pay more for an iTechworld lithium battery, you get more bang for your buck with efficiency, performance, and longevity.

 

Check out the iTechworld lithium deep cycle battery range here.