Lithium Leisure Batteries – What You Need to Know
With the U.K leisure season right around the corner, many of us are busy planning and preparing for our first trip of the year. Ensuring your leisure battery is ready for your adventure is a vital part of that preparation; but what if you want to upgrade your leisure battery to its Lithium equivalent? Here are all the things you need to know about Lithium leisure batteries for motorhomes, caravans, campervans, and van conversions.
Choosing a leisure battery isn’t as simple as choosing a car battery; as well as physical size you need to consider how much power you need and how you’re going to charge your battery while you’re travelling. In addition to these considerations, you need to choose between several battery technologies including traditional Lead Acid, AGM, Gel, Lead Crystal, and Lithium.
Lithium leisure batteries are the new kid on the block and a quick search online will show you hundreds of comments from leisure seekers asking a multitude of questions about the technology. We’ve highlighted some key information below, so you’ll know if Lithium is the right technology for you.
Weight
One of the most well-known benefits of Lithium batteries is their weight, or lack of. You might have heard that the best batteries are the heaviest batteries, that certainly isn’t true for Lithium. Because they’re light weight, up to 50% lighter than lead acid, removing the battery from the leisure vehicle is no longer an arduous task; the battery can be moved between locations with ease. When Lithium batteries are wired in series or parallel, you can save hundreds of kilos which, amongst other things, improves MPG (miles per gallon).
Life Cycle
If you treat any battery well, it should have a long life. Lithium batteries can last much longer than other technologies, potentially up to twenty times longer! This is because they offer far more cycles than other technologies. If a standard lead acid battery can complete 500 cycles in its lifetime, a Lithium battery can do 5000+ cycles at 50% depth of discharge (DoD). This is why Lithium batteries have a higher purchase price; if you look at the total cost of ownership (TCO) of a Lithium battery, it can be as much as 80% cheaper than a lead acid battery over the course of its lifetime.
Modern Features
Many Lithium batteries, including the AVON LFP range come with built in BMS (battery management system) and Bluetooth. The Bluetooth function allows motorhome, caravan, and campervan owners to view the batteries current, voltage, power, and state of charge from their mobile or tablet device! The BMS ensures the Lithium cells are balanced to provide outstanding and reliable performance. In addition to balancing the battery, it automatically prevents the battery from fully discharging which can cause damage.
Efficiency & Durability
Lead acid batteries can be permanently damaged if they’re discharged below 50% of their capacity, Lithium batteries are able to drop as low as 90%! In addition, because of the technology inside a Lithium battery, they don’t sulphate if they’re not used; you can leave your Lithium battery unused for long periods and it’ll work like new when you need it. Lithium batteries are more durable than other technologies and can withstand more extreme temperatures. They’re maintenance free and if used and charged correctly, they’re extremely safe.
FAQ
Can I replace my lead-acid leisure battery with a Lithium battery?
Yes, you can!
What brand of Lithium leisure battery are available?
There are many different brands of Lithium leisure battery and BBL Batteries stock the best including their own AVON LFP range. BBL also stock ACELERON and LiFOS leisure Lithium batteries.
What is the best technology battery for my caravan, motorhome, or campervan?
This completely depends on what you need from your battery. If you’re always hooked up to a power source, then you may not need a powerful battery. However, if you’re using your leisure battery as the only power source while off-grid, then you’ll need a powerful and cyclic battery; in this scenario, a Lithium leisure battery might be right for your specific application. If you need assistance with choosing a leisure battery or you would like some advice, please contact our friendly team.
When my Lithium leisure battery eventually fails, what do I do with it?
Firstly, you can expect your Lithium battery to last a very long time! But, when it inevitably does fail, there are several places you can take it. Firstly, and most importantly, do not put your Lithium battery in household bins, they’re classed as hazardous waste and need to be disposed of responsibly. If you can, you should return the Lithium battery to where you bought it; by law, retailers and distributors of batteries are required to take back used batteries. Read more here.
Will my Lithium leisure battery come with a warranty?
All Lithium leisure batteries sold by BBL come with extensive warranties. The LiFOS 68Ah battery comes with a 5-year warranty!
Do I need an electrical specialist to fit my new Lithium leisure battery?
No! Replacing your lead acid battery with a Lithium battery is super easy – there are lots of online resources available. If you’re unsure about fitment, talk your local BBL team for assistance.
I’m still not sure if a Lithium leisure battery is right for me, how can I get more information?
If you’d like more information about Lithium leisure batteries, you can call our friendly team of battery experts and they’ll happily discuss your battery requirements with you. You can contact your local branch on the numbers below.
Bristol 0117 9550535 | Swindon 01793 616646 | Truro 01872 270011 | Exeter 01392 254418 | Plymouth 01752 338501
