Lithium batteries, as a new generation of clean energy, not only help to avoid environmental pollution but also facilitate people’s daily lives and work. Thanks to the development of lithium batteries, researchers can now transform various static tools, appliances, and devices into portable ones powered by the energy stored in batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are currently the best deep-cycle batteries, featuring new functionalities that meet the demands of modern living.
The increasing adoption of electric vehicles presents a significant opportunity for the deep-cycle lithium battery industry. As governments worldwide promote sustainable transportation, the demand for high-performance, long-life batteries is on the rise. Deep-cycle lithium batteries offer advantages such as longer driving range, faster charging times, and higher overall efficiency. Continuous advancements in battery technology and decreasing costs will further drive the growth of the electric vehicle market, creating a larger market for deep-cycle lithium batteries.
what is lithium deep cycle battery
· What is Deep Cycling? The primary characteristic of “deep cycling” is deep discharge. In contrast to other batteries that are not recommended to be discharged beyond a specific capacity range, deep-cycle batteries can discharge to most of their capacity. Deep discharge means the battery is almost completely depleted of charge, and the process of discharging and recharging is referred to as one cycle. For example, discharging the battery to half its capacity and then recharging it constitutes one cycle. The deeper we discharge the battery before recharging, the deeper the cycle. This process occurs in deep-cycle batteries, hence the name. The battery slowly discharges until fully depleted and then recharges for reuse.
· What are Deep-Cycle Batteries? Deep-cycle batteries are designed for repetitive and deep discharge. They are commonly used in applications that require a consistent and stable power supply, such as golf carts, forklifts, and solar power systems. Deep-cycle batteries can provide stable power over a longer period, which is crucial as other types of batteries discharge at high currents, delivering only a small fraction of their capacity. In comparison, deep-cycle batteries discharge slowly and continuously, typically up to around 80% of their capacity, resulting in longer operating times.
· What is Depth of Discharge (DOD)? Depth of Discharge is a percentage that represents the amount of battery discharge compared to the battery’s rated capacity. Shallow-cycle batteries should not exceed a discharge depth of 25%, while deep-cycle batteries can release up to 80% of their capacity. The battery begins discharging at the upper voltage limit and stops discharging at the lower voltage limit. Considering all the discharged capacity as 100%, 80%DOD means discharging 80% of the battery’s capacity. For example, starting with an initial State of Charge (SOC) of 100%, stopping at 20% would represent 80%DOD.
· How are Deep-Cycle Batteries Different from Regular Batteries? Deep-cycle batteries differ from other types of batteries in several key aspects.
- Unlike other batteries, deep-cycle batteries are designed to be different. Regular batteries should never be discharged to their full capacity, while these batteries are intended for deeper discharge. For instance, a regular automotive starter battery provides a sudden burst of current to start the engine. In contrast, deep-cycle batteries release a continuous current, allowing for longer usage.
- These batteries can discharge up to 80%, whereas other batteries are strictly not allowed to discharge to 80%. If done so, regular batteries would corrode and lose active material.
- Deep-cycle batteries have thicker plates, denser active materials, and thicker separators. This helps them resist corrosion to a certain extent and withstand repeated cycles of discharge and recharge. However, due to the thicker plates and separators, deep-cycle batteries are much heavier than regular batteries, which is considered a significant limitation. Therefore, deep-cycle batteries are an essential component in many commercial and industrial applications.
· Applications of Deep-Cycle Batteries
- Powering marine trolling motors and navigation equipment.
- Powering sailboats lacking regular charging facilities.
- Electric golf carts.
- Providing power for renewable energy applications, especially as solar and wind energy storage.
- Electric wheelchairs.
- Powering equipment at remote sites.
- Powering traffic signal lights for uninterrupted operation.
- Small off-grid building energy storage systems.
· How Long Can Lithium Deep-Cycle Batteries Sustain? The average lifespan of deep-cycle batteries is approximately 3-6 years. However, the lifespan of deep-cycle batteries can vary due to various factors such as battery type, usage and maintenance practices, and the climate of the location where they are used. In most cases, the average lifespan of deep-cycle batteries falls within the range of 3-6 years.
How long do lithium marine batteries last?
When it comes to marine applications, the choice of lithium-ion batteries depends on various factors. There are three main types of lithium-ion batteries based on raw materials: lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, polymer lithium-ion batteries, and conventional lithium-ion batteries. They can also be categorized based on cell packaging into cylindrical steel shell lithium-ion batteries, pouch lithium-ion batteries, and square aluminum shell lithium-ion batteries.
Conventional Lithium-ion Batteries:
- General lithium-ion batteries have lower heat resistance than lithium iron phosphate batteries, less cold resistance than polymer lithium-ion batteries, and lower safety performance than nickel-metal hydride batteries.
- They are cost-effective and are commonly used for lighting and emergency power sources, typically placed in locations that can maintain normal temperatures.
- Many cylindrical steel shell lithium-ion batteries fall into this category, though some customized lithium iron phosphate batteries are also available. However, cylindrical batteries are often limited in shape and capacity, making them less ideal for marine use due to their size and weight.
Polymer Lithium-ion Batteries:
- Polymer lithium-ion batteries are typically in the form of pouch cells, using a stacked production process. They offer higher flexibility in terms of volume, capacity, and exterior design.
- These batteries are a preferred choice for marine applications due to their smaller size, lighter weight, and larger capacity in a single unit. However, their higher production cost and challenges in ensuring safety performance make widespread adoption in marine batteries difficult.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Batteries:
- LiFePO4 batteries generally outperform conventional lithium-ion batteries in terms of performance. They exhibit high-temperature resistance and have a significant discharge capacity at high rates.
- While their low-temperature performance may not match that of nickel-metal hydride batteries, improved LiFePO4 batteries fare better in low temperatures compared to polymer lithium-ion batteries. However, their high-temperature performance may be slightly compromised.
- In terms of installation costs, LiFePO4 batteries are more expensive than nickel-metal hydride batteries but less expensive than polymer lithium-ion batteries. Consequently, LiFePO4 batteries are commonly used in marine applications, as they offer a more cost-effective solution for equivalent normal temperature applications.
Choosing the right lithium-ion battery for marine use depends on the specific requirements, conditions, and trade-offs that are acceptable for the given application.
How much does a lithium marine battery weigh
The weight of marine lithium batteries is closely related to factors such as the type of battery and its capacity. Generally, the larger the battery capacity, the heavier the battery. In comparison to lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries are lighter for the same capacity. Taking a 200Ah battery as an example, lithium-ion batteries typically weigh around 40-70 pounds, while lead-acid batteries weigh approximately 120-200 pounds for the same capacity.
