Converting to Lithium Batteries | Ultimate Guide To Upgrading From Lead Acid Batteries

Are you considering converting to lithium batteries from lead acid batteries? Learn everything you need to know to make the switch today! 

Imagine a world where your batteries last longer, weigh less, and provide more power than ever before. That world is here thanks to the incredible advantages of converting to lithium batteries over traditional lead acid batteries. 

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the exciting realm of lithium batteries and walk you through the process of converting your RV, boat, or golf cart battery system to enjoy the myriad benefits that lithium technology offers.

Whether you know a little or a lot about battery performance, we’ll help you have the confidence to replace your lead acid battery with a lithium battery!

So let’s get started!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Lithium batteries have become the preferred power source for recreational vehicles, boats and golf carts due to their superior performance.
• Lithium batteries provide a wide range of advantages including longer battery life, lighter weight, higher efficiency and more power.
• Selecting the right lithium battery requires careful consideration of factors such as application type, chemistry size and capacity to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Types of Lithium Battery Applications

Lithium batteries have revolutionized the way we power our mobile and recreational vehicles, offering a superior alternative to lead-acid batteries. Let's dive deeper into the specifics of lithium batteries for each of these applications.

RV Applications

In the world of recreational vehicles, lithium batteries have become the go-to choice for house battery banks. Providing a drop-in replacement for traditional lead acid batteries and AGM batteries, lithium offers a myriad of benefits, including a longer life cycle, lighter weight, and faster charging.

When transitioning to lithium-ion batteries in an RV, the charging process is of paramount importance. Standard chargers without equalization can be used, but it's crucial to never connect a charger without a Battery Management System (BMS). 

When exchanging components for lithium RV batteries, it's advised to acquire fully programmable equipment and adhere to the manufacturer's suggestions for charging parameters. You will need to invest in a high-quality lithium converter as well if you plan to convert 110V AC power to DC power to charge your batteries. 

SHOP OUR BAJA SERIES LITHIUM BATTERIES FOR RV APPLICATIONS

Boat And Marine Applications

Boats demand reliable power sources that can handle high current loads without dropping voltage. Voltage sag, a decrease in voltage to 11V or lower when running a high-power load, can cause significant issues in boat battery systems. 

Lithium batteries effectively eliminate voltage sag due to their consistent voltage curve and ability to handle high current loads. Our ProConnect Series lithium boat batteries offer superior performance that will make your time on the water worry-free and last as long as you want!

Choosing lithium batteries for boats offers a variety of advantages, including their lightweight design, enhanced efficiency, and extended lifespan compared to lead acid batteries. Furthermore, lithium batteries have a deeper depth of discharge, require no maintenance, and deliver increased power to keep your boat running smoothly.

SHOP OUR PROCONNECT SERIES LITHIUM BATTERIES FOR MARINE APPLICATIONS

Golf Cart Applications

Golf carts can greatly benefit from the flexibility of lithium batteries in terms of type, size, and voltage. Traditional lead acid or AGM batteries may not be the most optimal choice for golf carts due to their limitations in size and voltage range. Plus these types of batteries weigh a lot more than their lithium counterparts. 

By converting to lithium batteries, golf cart owners can enjoy the advantages of a lighter, more efficient, and longer-lasting battery system. Whether your golf cart operates on 24V, 36V or 48V power system, you can connect multiple lithium batteries in series to obtain the proper system voltage. 

Plus, lithium batteries have a depth of discharge equal to 100% of their battery capacity, meaning you can expect more run time on a lithium battery bank than you would with a comparable lead acid battery bank. 

SHOP OUR GOLF CART LITHIUM BATTERIES FOR GOLFING APPLICATIONS

Understanding the Advantages of Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries offer a multitude of advantages over lead acid batteries, such as a longer battery life, lighter weight, higher efficiency, deeper depth of discharge, smaller size, maintenance-free operation, and more power.

In the following sections, we'll delve deeper into each of these benefits and explore how they can improve the performance of your battery system.

Longer Battery Life

One of the most significant benefits of converting to lithium batteries is their extended life cycle compared to their lead-acid counterparts. The depth of discharge has a direct correlation with the number of cycles that a battery can be expected to last.

With lithium batteries, you can enjoy a longer-lasting battery system that requires less frequent replacements, ultimately saving you time and money in the long run.

Our lithium batteries will last 5-10 times longer than lead acid ones, making them cost-effective over the life of your RV, boat or golf cart, in addition to the other benefits described in this section. 

Lighter Weight

Lithium-ion batteries have a lighter weight than lead-acid batteries, making them the ideal choice for applications where weight is a factor. On average, lithium weighs 55% less than lead acid at the same capacity.

This weight reduction not only makes transportation and installation easier, but also contributes to improved overall performance. This is especially true in boating and golf cart applications, where weight has an impact on performance. But it is also applicable to recreational vehicles as well.

Our batteries weigh approximately ⅓ of what lead acid batteries weigh, making them ideal for any application. 

Higher Efficiency

Higher efficiency in lithium batteries implies the capacity to store and discharge energy more proficiently, which results in decreased waste and improved performance. Lithium-ion batteries are renowned for their high efficiency.

By choosing lithium batteries, you can maximize energy utilization and minimize energy loss, providing a more efficient and cost-effective battery system.

With more power on demand, you can run these batteries in your application at full power and expect to have access to every amp hour of stored energy. 

Deeper depth of discharge

Deeper depth of discharge is the practice of discharging a lithium battery to a lower percentage of its total capacity, expressed as a percentage. Lithium batteries offer a deeper depth of discharge compared to lead acid batteries, which typically have a depth of discharge of only 50%.

This ability to discharge to a lower percentage allows lithium batteries to provide a greater amount of usable energy, maximizing your battery system's potential. This can be up to 100% MORE power from the same amount of battery capacity. 

For example, a 100Ah lead acid battery will only be able to provide 50Ah of usable capacity. However, that same 100Ah lithium battery will provide 100 Ah of power, making one lithium battery the equivalent of two lead acid ones. 

All of our lithium batteries can be discharged to 100% of their rated capacity without causing damage to either the battery or the power system. 

Smaller Battery Size

In regards to lithium batteries, smaller battery size refers to the physical dimensions of the battery. Smaller-size lithium batteries offer greater convenience due to their compact and lightweight design, allowing for easier transportation and installation.

Additionally, they require less storage space and can be used in areas where space is restricted, making them a versatile choice for various applications.

Our lithium batteries offer a 25% smaller case size, making them ideal for replacing any existing type of battery in your application. 

Maintenance Free

Lithium batteries are notably maintenance-free and do not necessitate active maintenance. This convenience factor makes them more cost-effective than lead acid batteries, which require regular maintenance and upkeep.

AGM batteries, a form of sealed lead acid battery, offer similar maintenance-free operation. However, they are much heavier and can only be used up to 50-60% depth of discharge and still lack the battery performance of their lithium counterparts.  

By converting to lithium, you can save time and money on battery maintenance while enjoying a more reliable and efficient battery system.

More Power

Lithium batteries provide consistent power delivery throughout the discharge cycle, while lead acid batteries tend to have a diminishing power delivery as the cycle progresses. This increased power output allows lithium batteries to support more demanding applications, such as golf carts, trolling motors and other high-power applications.

By choosing lithium batteries, you can unlock greater power potential for your battery system and enhance its overall performance.

Choosing the Right Lithium Battery Chemistry

When converting to lithium batteries, it's essential to choose the right battery chemistry to ensure the best performance and longevity for your specific application. 

Lithium batteries are powered by two main chemistries: LiFePO4 (LFP) and Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (Li-NMC). These chemicals offer varying advantages, depending on the intended use.

In the following sections, we will explore the characteristics and advantages of each chemistry.

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) 

Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries (LiFePo4) are a type of lithium-ion battery chemistry that is renowned for its extended life cycle and high power output. The nominal voltage of four LFP cells connected in series is 13 volts, and their discharge curve is similar to that of a 12-volt lead-acid battery. 

This makes LiFePo4 an ideal choice for constructing a 12-volt lithium battery, especially for marine, RV, and general solar PV applications.

In addition to their performance benefits, LiFePo4 batteries are also known for their safety advantages. Their stable chemistry makes them an ideal choice for indoor installation and mobile living or recreation.

When considering a lithium battery for your application, lithium iron phosphate is a reliable and high-performing option.

Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (Li-NMC)

Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (Li-NMC) is another popular lithium-ion battery chemistry that utilizes a cathode composed of nickel, manganese, and cobalt. Li-NMC batteries boast a higher energy density than other lithium-ion chemistries, making them well-suited for applications that require significant power output.

The nominal voltage of three Li-NMC cells connected in series is closest to achieving 12 volts, and their discharge curve is similar to that of a 12-volt lead-acid battery. Li-NMC batteries are typically used in applications such as e-bikes and power tools and are powerful enough for electric vehicles, offering a more powerful and longer-lasting alternative to traditional lead-acid batteries.

NOTE: We only manufacture and sell lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) batteries as they are the best for value, safety and all-around performance for RV, marine and golf cart applications. 

Key Considerations for Converting to Lithium Batteries

When replacing lead acid batteries with lithium, there are several key considerations to keep in mind, such as charging requirements, temperature constraints and installation/mounting.

Let's explore each of these factors in more detail to ensure a successful and safe conversion process.

Charging Requirements

Charging lithium batteries requires a different approach than charging lead-acid batteries. Lithium-ion chargers employ a two-phase charging process consisting of constant current followed by constant voltage. This voltage will reach upwards of 14.4 volts while charging, which is higher than that of their lead acid counterparts. 

To ensure compatibility, examine the charger control settings to modify the chemistry type and consult the manufacturer for proper charging parameters. Not all chargers or power converters are compatible with lithium batteries. Thus you may need to consider replacing your current charger or converter to ensure proper charging parameters.  

Additionally, when charging lithium batteries in an RV or marine battery system, a DC-to-DC converter can be installed between the alternator and the lithium battery bank to restrict the amount of current the battery draws from the alternator.

Temperature Constraints

While lithium batteries generally maintain a consistent capacity regardless of temperature, they cannot be charged in temperatures below 32°F (0°C). This makes them less suitable for applications in extremely cold environments.

It is possible to invest in heating pads to insulate the batteries in colder temperatures and/or to consider bringing them into a confined space that can be warmed by ambient air when temperatures outside reach below freezing. 

Sub-freezing temperatures will not harm the lithium batteries as the built-in BMS will shut down the battery from charging under these circumstances. However, it is good to know that you must bring the batteries back to above-freezing temperatures to charge them. 

But in comparison to lead acid batteries, lithium batteries still offer superior performance in high-temperature applications. It's essential to consider the temperature constraints of lithium batteries when converting from lead acid to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Installation and Mounting

When it comes to installing and mounting lithium batteries, they can be installed in any orientation without any complications. Furthermore, lithium batteries can be used in the same battery box as lead acid batteries, making the conversion process more straightforward.

Ensuring proper installation and mounting of lithium batteries is crucial for their safe and efficient operation.

Steps to Successfully Replace Lead Acid Batteries with Lithium

To successfully replace lead acid batteries with lithium, there are three main steps to follow. First, select the right lithium battery for your specific application.

Next, upgrade the charging components to accommodate the lithium battery. Finally, ensure proper safety measures are in place for a secure and reliable battery system.

Let's discuss each of these steps in more detail.

Selecting the Right Lithium Battery

Choosing the appropriate lithium battery for your application is crucial for optimal performance and longevity. Consider factors such as the type of application, the chemistry of the battery, and the size and capacity of the battery.

By carefully evaluating your specific needs and the characteristics of various lithium battery options, you can find the perfect solution to replace your lead acid batteries and enjoy the myriad benefits that lithium technology offers.

SHOP ALL OF OUR LITHIUM BATTERY OPTIONS 

Upgrading Charging Components

Upgrading the charging components of your battery system is essential when converting to lithium batteries. Ensure that your charge controller is compatible with lithium-ion batteries and modify the chemistry type if necessary. 

Additionally, consider installing a DC-to-DC converter between the alternator and the lithium battery bank in RV or marine battery systems to limit the amount of current the battery draws from the alternator.

By upgrading your charging components, you can ensure that your lithium battery system is charged efficiently and safely. This will help maximize the performance and longevity of your lithium batteries, providing you with a reliable and cost-effective power source.

SHOP OUR RECOMMENDED LITHIUM CHARGERS

Ensuring Proper Safety Measures

Safety is of the utmost importance when replacing lead-acid batteries with lithium batteries. Be sure to use the appropriate fuse, wiring, and connectors for your specific lithium battery system. 

Additionally, ensure proper installation and mounting of the lithium batteries for safe and efficient operation.

By taking the necessary safety precautions, you can enjoy the benefits of lithium batteries with peace of mind, knowing that your battery system is secure and reliable.

Summary

Converting to lithium batteries offers numerous advantages over traditional lead acid batteries, including longer life, lighter weight, higher efficiency, deeper depth of discharge, smaller size, maintenance-free operation and more power. 

By carefully selecting the right lithium battery chemistry, upgrading charging components, and ensuring proper safety measures, you can successfully replace your lead acid batteries with lithium and unlock the true potential of your battery system. 

Make the switch today and experience the remarkable benefits of lithium battery technology!

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