Comparison between Lead Acid and Lithium battery
| Paramete | Lead Acid | Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LiFePO₄) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voltage Options | Common Types | Flooded, AGM, Gel | (LiFePO₄) |
| Chemistry Stability | Stable but prone to sulfation | More stable | |
| Environmental Impact | Contains lead and acid (toxic) | Comparatively cleaner; recyclable | |
| Performance & Efficiency | Energy Density (Wh/kg) | 30–50 | 100–250 |
| Depth of Discharge (DoD) | ~50% (usable) | 80–100% (high usable capacity) | |
| Charge Efficiency | ~70–80% | ~95–99% | |
| Charging Time | 6–12 hours | 1–3 hours (fast charging possible) | |
| Self-Discharge Rate | 5–15% per month | 2–5% per month | |
| Cold Temperature Impact | Reduced performance | Better cold performance | |
| Lifespan & Maintenance | Cycle Life | 300–500 cycles | 2000–6000 cycles |
| Maintenance | Regular water top-up (flooded) | Maintenance-free | |
| Memory Effect | No significant | No memory effect | |
| Weight | Heavier (2–3× more for same capacity) | Lightweight | |
| Safety & Risk | Thermal Runaway Risk | Low (but leaks acid) | Low risk |
| Venting/Gassing | Yes (especially in flooded) | No (sealed) | |
| Short-Circuit Protection | External (fuse) | Internal BMS with multiple protections | |
| Cost & ROI | Initial Cost | Lower | Higher (~2–3× lead acid) |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Higher (due to short life/maintenance) | Lower (longer life, no maintenance) | |
| ROI (for high-use cases) | Less economical | More economical in long-term | |
| Applications | UPS/Backup | Widely used (low-cost) | Increasing use due to fast recharge |
| EVs | Rarely used (weight & DoD limits) | Dominates the market | |
| Solar/Off-grid | OK for small setups | Preferred for modern systems | |
| Forklifts/MHE | Still used in budget options | Becoming standard due to fast charging | |
| Feature | Weight | Heavy | Light |
| Cycle Life | Low (~500) | High (>2000) | |
| Maintenance | Yes | No | |
| DoD | ~50% | ~90–100% | |
| Energy Density | Low | High | |
| Initial Cost | Low | High | |
| Long-term Cost | High | Low | |
| Ideal Use | Low-cycle, low-budget | High-performance, long-life | |
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Use a proper LiFePO₄ charger with correct voltage/current settings. | Don’t use chargers meant for lead-acid or other chemistries. |
| Install the battery in a dry, ventilated, vibration-free area. | Don’t expose the battery to water, dust, or heat sources. |
| Follow the rated current, voltage, and temperature limits strictly. | Don’t exceed discharge or charge current limits. |
| Ensure connections are tight, clean, and insulated. | Don’t allow loose or corroded terminals or reverse polarity. |
| Store at 30–50% charge if unused for long periods. | Don’t store fully charged or completely drained batteries long-term. |
| Use a battery with BMS protection. | Don’t bypass or ignore BMS alarms/faults. |
| Monitor battery temperature and voltage during operation. | Don’t charge below 0°C or discharge below -20°C. |
| Replace battery if it shows swelling, leakage, or unusual heating. | Don’t continue using damaged or physically deformed batteries. |
