Are you seeking a lithium dual battery system that will improve your performance, safety, and durability simultaneously? Then LiFePO4 batteries are an excellent alternative. These batteries are extremely inexpensive and provide several advantages to the consumer compared to other battery technologies. They are used well in solar lighting systems, cars, and domestic goods.
A battery could be made mainly for a power backup system or to make it the best fit to kick start a vehicle. The earlier type is known as a deep cycle battery, while the latter is a starter battery.
Deep Cycle Battery VS Starter Battery
A deep cycle power battery is meant to provide stored energy for a longer period, i.e. for hours using most of its capacity. In contrast, the starter batteries are tasked to provide a high burst of current for a shorter time span. The main purpose of a starter battery is to offer required cranking amps to any engine, whether in an automobile or a generator. A starter battery frequently uses only a fraction of its capacity.
Discharge Rate
A deep cycle battery can work instead of a starter battery; however, the lower cranking current requires a humungous deep cycle battery to replace a starter battery. Depending on the deep cycle battery type, it can be discharged either fully or by half of its stored capacity. The earlier deep cycle battery types can be discharged up to half of their capacity only, whereas the modern battery technologies can be discharged fully. The efficiency of modern-day battery technology makes them a preferable choice for modern-day devices.
Though a lead-acid battery can be discharged up to 80%, the best lifespan versus cost method is to keep the average cycle at about 50% of total capacity. For example, if you have a lead-acid 150ah dual battery, it is a good practice to discharge it by half, i.e. 75ah only. This ensures the maximum lifespan of a lead-acid battery. There is an indirect correlation between the depth of discharge of the battery and the number of charge and discharge cycles it can perform.
Types of Deep Cycle Lead-Acid Battery
The lead-acid battery type can be further divided into the following categories:
Absorbed Glass Mat Battery
Reinforcing the glass mat separators helps reduce damage caused by spilling and jerking vibrations. Its further division includes tubular battery and flat plate battery. The difference between these types generally affects the battery cells’ cycle life performance.
The structural difference between a lead-acid deep cycle battery and a starter cranking battery is in its plates. Deep cycle lead-acid batteries have thicker plates that have higher density paste material and thicker separators. The substance in a deep cycle battery tends to contain more antimony than that of starting battery. The thicker battery plates in a deep cycle lead-acid battery resist corrosion through extended charge and discharge cycles.
The term flooded is used because this type of battery contains a quantity of electrolytes fluid. So the plates are completely submerged. The electrolytes level should be above the tops of plates which serves as a reservoir to make sure that the water lost during charging doesn’t lower the level below the top of the plate and cause irreversible damage. Flooded batteries will decompose some water from the electrolytes during charging. This means lead-acid batteries require regular maintenance, i.e. inspection to check the water level and addition when required. If the water level isn’t maintained for quite a long time, the battery can die permanently.
Recycling of Lead-Acid Battery
Despite regular maintenance, poorest discharge rate and low lifespan, a lead-acid battery is best known for its recycling capacity. A deep cycle of lead acid can be recycled up to 98% by volume and weight. Further, the plastic cases, lead plates and sulfuric acid are fully recoverable. There is an exception to paper separators that are used to wrap the plates. It is because of the sulfuric acid the paper sits in, and the fibre length is reduced that it can’t be reused.
Deep Cycle Lithium-ion Battery
The first rechargeable lead-acid battery was invented in 1859 and ruled for over a century. However, due to its pitfalls, researchers always looked for its alternatives. The initial work on lithium battery technology started in the 1970s and continued in the 1980s. It was only in 1991 when a joint team of Sony and Asahi Kasei led by Yoshio Nishi made the first lithium-ion battery for commercial usage.
What is a Lithium Dual Battery Setup
Lithium dual battery setup is designed for vehicles that include a backup battery in addition to the starting battery. This secondary battery provides electricity to auxiliary equipment and accessories.
Both batteries in a dual battery system operate as separate systems. While your engine is running, your starting battery and alternator work together to power your car and its electronics.
While your vehicle is switched off, your secondary battery powers all associated gear and accessories, allowing you to use your portable fridge, lights, and inverters without having to keep your engine running.
This is accomplished through the function of an isolator, which disconnects your starting battery from your secondary battery, allowing you to draw power from just one battery at a time.
The Pros and Cons of A Dual Battery System
For those who want to match the pros and cons of a dual battery system, they must consider the following:
Dual Battery System Pros
- With a dual battery system, you can power electronics including radio, lights, music system, inverters, fridge, charge cameras and much more
- There is nothing to worry about in draining the starter battery for engine ignition
- Increases available power if you need to utilise your winch.
- Solar panels can charge your auxiliary battery.
- Peace of mind in the event that the primary battery fails.
Dual Battery System Cons
- An additional battery box adds weight to your setup.
- If you’re on a limited budget, the prospective cost may be too expensive.
When we compare the pros with cons of installing a dual battery system, the pros out weight the cons with added features and functionalities that gives more power to people.
Dual Battery Types and Benefits
Lead Deep Cycle
Suitable for use under the hood and in an open tray or tub. Cheap but known to have a shorter lifespan if not properly drained and recharged after each usage.
AGM Battery
AGM batteries are a popular choice for any setup since they do not emit any dangerous fumes when charging. This battery is better suited to partial usage and recharge rather than full discharge and recharge in a use cycle.
Lithium Ion Battery
Lithium batteries are the most durable batteries used in a partial usage cycle due to their lower weight and greater capacity. However, due to heat constraints, they cannot be installed beneath a vehicle’s hood.
The lithium ion dual battery system provides additional power to your van, RV or campervan. This system is the first choice for people who love camping outside and meeting their power demands in remote areas. This system is like a gift for adventurers as it helps them meet their energy demands in the remotest areas. Here the role of a lithium battery for dual battery system with solar panels is crucial to get maximum efficiency.
Key advantages of Lithium Dual Battery Kit
A lithium dual battery kit offers the following unbeaten advantages:
Weight Less
A lithium dual battery weighs less than the traditional lead-acid battery. For comparison, it could be around one-third lightweight. This can be a huge deal for power-hungry people, and they require a large battery bank. A lightweight dual battery system lithium becomes even more important to place in front of the RV. A big lead-acid dual battery system will be much heavier than the capacity of an RV, which will impact its performance.
Compact Design
Due to the high energy density of a LiFePo4 battery, these batteries are compact and thus can be placed in even smaller locations. So you can place larger capacity lithium dual battery systems in a smaller compartment.
No Ventilation
Lead-acid batteries vent toxic and acidic substances during the charging and discharging process. This is the limitation of placing the acid batteries as they must be placed in a ventilated space to avoid inconvenience. Conversely, dual lithium batteries don’t need ventilation like lead-acid batteries, so you can place them safely in sealed and internal compartments.
Quick Charge and Discharge Speed
Quick charging and discharging batteries increase how many times and fast you can use your battery bank. Lithium batteries are modern technology that can be charged and discharged quickly without reducing the lifespan of your LFP battery.
Deep Cycle Systems
Australian-based Deep Cycle System is an experienced and trusted lithium dual battery system manufacturer. We assemble and manufacture LiFePo4 batteries with precision. Getting energy solutions from Deep Cycle Systems experts means you will get value for money.
