Lithium Battery vs. AGM - Definition and Comparison

Lithium-ion and AGM batteries have gained tractions on markets over the recent years. Lithium batteries are an alternative for AGM batteries through checking the amp-hour rating. However, you need to consider some things while selecting batteries for application. These include charging efficiency, weight, useable energy, voltage, cost, and life span. As an example, the marine world has often compared lithium batteries to AGM. In comparison, lithium is preferred to AGM, seeing that it has a higher effective capacity.

What is an AGM battery?

AGM or absorbent glass mat is a primary VRLA battery. The battery features fiberglass mesh found in the middle of battery plates that separate plates and contain electrolytes. In addition, AGM is constructed in a way that it can be mounted to all orientation and does not need constant maintenance. Nevertheless, the life span of a battery will depend on how you treat; hence proper maintenance will increase cycle life. Maintenance-free is misleading because all VRLA batteries need regular cleaning and functional testing.

AGM has different shapes from flat bent to roll. According to (BCI) Battery Council International, the batteries are constructed to the rectangular case. Moreover, they are able to self-discharge in large temperature ranges than other conventional batteries. You can improve the life span of your battery. This can be done by following rules on charging and voltage regulated charger. It has a direct correlation in the middle of the depth of discharge and life span of the battery as differences fall at 500 and 1300 cycles basing on discharge depth.

AGM batteries are used in most vehicles and motorcycles because they lower the spilling of acid during cornering, accidents, and vibration. Furthermore, it is light and small to the extent that it can be installed to any angle or the motorcycle’s design. They are used in luxury cars due to great manufacturing costs. Electronic devices for navigating make vehicles to be heavier. On the other hand, AGM lower are equipped in order to reduce weight and offer reliability.

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Are lithium batteries better than AGM?

Many people are not sure whether AGM lead battery or lithium battery is better. Both AGM and lithium batteries have different features, disadvantages, and advantages. The following examples will help you to decide which battery is better for your work.

Weight

Lithium batteries have the best weight and size. They are highly compact and have lightweight than AGM batteries. This is because the AGM has a high amount of lead, resulting in a heavier weight. The battery can save 70% weight and the size of a general lead battery.

Cost

A significant benefit of AGM lead batteries is their cheap cost.it is simply because they are inexpensive to manufacture than lithium. However, lithium is cheap to own in view of high performance.

Life cycle

Lithium batteries have a better life span. It offers twice the cycle of life to that of AGM. The average life span of lithium is 800, while a standard AGM has only 200 to 300 cycles. Therefore, you will need to replace a new AGM soon than lithium.

Discharge depth

The depth of discharge is defined as the battery's percentage discharged relatively to the entire capacity.100ah lithium has 80ah while 100ah AGM gives 50Ah. From the results between 50% and 80%, you can choose AGM for caravans used for few months.

Applications

AGM lead batteries offer hybrid batteries for deep cycle and cranking. However, lithium batteries do not offer this advantage.

Safety

AGM has a great CCA rating as well as resist vibration due to its design. In regard to this, they are safer for a motor home. AGM does not produce hydrogen; hence ventilation is not necessary.

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AGM battery is for individuals who are on a small budget and do not want to run on high appliances. On the contrary, lithium is preferred for long trips and run high gadgets and electric appliances.

Can you mix lithium battery and AGM?

You may wish to be diverse and run two batteries, but they need to put in separate systems. They should not be parallel. Charging AGM lead batteries is different from charging Lithium batteries. The specially designed charger is required for lithium battery so as to supply specific current and charge from beginning to end. The charger should shut off completely if the battery goes to a particular terminal voltage.

The results are interesting when mixing the two batteries. For instance, you can put together 105ah AGM and 140ah lifePo4. It is easy to see accurate discharge by using Bmv712. If 80a discharge load is put, 62ah will come from lithium and the remaining from AGM. Lifepo4 will take more current until it hits 10% as AGM is held on the absorb stage until it gets 100%.  Furthermore, lithium battery with a total of 12.8v holds AGM lead battery at float voltage. When the load disconnects, the lithium spills current to AGM, thus topping to 100%. Most importantly, lithium batteries charge fast and hold AGM at 100% until it finishes.

Voltages of Lithium batteries do not vary depending on the charge state. You need to monitor its consumption due to not being discharged completely. Besides that, MPPT controllers are not applicable to lithium. Combining lithium and AGM on one system will result to result in a serious problem. Lithium holds AGM above 12.8 voltages until the capacity gets exhausted. Therefore, the AGM lead battery will not perform any work until lithium is flat. This effect can damage your battery, and it is better to connect well prior to use.

Bottom line

It is difficult to select the type of battery suitable for your boat, bike, motorcycle, golf cart, or car. The wrong choice of the battery can ruin everything and cost you a leg. The batteries are used in a large range of applications and have pros and cons. For this reason, it depends on the user to select what is the best option. You can decide by comparing and contrasting features like weight, safety, replacement, and longevity. Above and over that, the life span of a battery will depend on maintenance. A highly maintained battery will have a long life cycle compared to a less maintained one.