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How are lithium-ion batteries different from lead-acid batteries? Which one to choose?

How are lithium-ion batteries different from lead-acid batteries? Which one to choose?

There are two main types of batteries used in electric motorcycles, lithium-ion and lead, which can be described as follows:

1. Lithium-ion batteries are currently the best batteries for storing electricity. New technology 20 years ago because of its small size, light weight, advantages, less than 1/3 weight of lead acid type. And the volume is smaller than 1/2 and it can be used for 800-1000 cycles if charged every day for about 2.5-3 years. The disadvantage is that it is more expensive.
2. Lead-acid battery (Litium Ion Battery) is a battery that is more than 150 years old. The advantages are cheap, but the disadvantage is that it is big and heavy. Lifespan is 600 cycles. If charged every day, about 1.5-2 years.

แบตเตอร์รี่ Lion-Ion ดีกว่า แบบ Lead Acid อย่างไร:

An image showing a lithium-ion battery in small balls, packed together, used in electric motorcycles, electric bicycles and electric scooters.

Advantage No. 1 - Beyond Size and Weight

While superior power density is not critical for applications. What matters is electric cars and portable electronics. Increased power density enhances the installation and installation process for static energy storage.

The graph above shows that lithium-ion batteries weigh about a third and a half of their volume compared to lead acid (Flood, AGM, and Gel). Lithium-ion batteries are in their own category in comparison. with all other types of batteries as they are more energy dense.

The second advantage - high flexibility.

All batteries are at risk of damage from excessive discharge and temperature extremes. Lead acid batteries are generally less resilient than this type of abuse and are dangerous if discharged too quickly or too deeply. Lead acid batteries lose their potential cycle if discharged below 50% of their charge (State of Charge or SOC) or discharged faster than C/8. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries can discharge to approximately 80% SOC and at a C/2 rate without any long-term damage. The table above shows the general characteristics of the three types of batteries. Flooded Lead Acid, Valve Controlled Lead Acid and Lithium Ion

A helpful way to figure out and charge a battery is to imagine it as a balloon. If you repeatedly add the balloon to its full capacity and then emptied it completely, the balloon may become fatigued from excessive stress. Now imagine another balloon where you inflated and deflate again from 50% to 90% full body, the material gets less stress and lasts longer than the first balloon. The plates inside the battery are subjected to stress equivalent to that of balloon material. In this example, lithium-ion batteries are made from a good balloon material and are strong compared to lead acid.

In addition to the depth of discharge, lithium-ion batteries also have a longer useful life. They can cycle more times without significantly losing their abilities.

Advantage 3 - Longer service life

Yes, indeed, the initial cost of lithium-ion batteries is more expensive than other options. Since lithium-ion batteries are newer technologies, there is a chance that they can be captured and narrowed the cost gap compared to technology. These ripe batteries that have been around for a long time. Lithium-ion batteries will drop in price and will drop below $400 per kWh in the near future. But comparing batteries by their starting price tag and rated capacity? Definitely not.

The graph above can steer people in the wrong direction regarding very different battery technologies. The initial cost of the battery is important when budgeting for the system. But it can be seen briefly to focus only on keeping initial costs down when batteries are more expensive can save you money in the long run.

This lifetime cost graph is an even better comparison because it takes into account the depth of discharge and life cycle in general. In this case, flooded lead-acid batteries have the lowest cycle life costs. But assuming they are properly maintained and not abused. This is the best situation. If it is regularly discharged above 50% or if maintenance is neglected then it cannot be used for so long that results in increased lifecycle costs. Lithium-ion batteries require very little maintenance and are flexible for intermittent discharge. Together, these factors make lithium-ion batteries more attractive for off-grid solar power systems. Below, lithium ions have approximately six times the number of cycles compared to lead acid.

Function: Lead-Acid
For now, your safest bet is to use the tried-and-true lead acid battery for your off-grid energy storage. The controllers and inverters available on the market today are designed to work with lead acid and have been field tested for many years. The starting price tag is still a significant savings over lithium-ion. If lead acid batteries are properly maintained they are 80-90% efficient, but good luck with that maintenance.

The two main types of lead-acid batteries are flooded and VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead-Acid). Flooded lead-acid batteries are the least expensive products. But it also has the least flexibility to inflict damage that requires significant care and maintenance. If you want to avoid the need for maintenance, VRLAs might be fine, but they usually cost twice the price and have a shorter lifespan compared to the flooded type. Commonly referred to as "sealed" VRLA batteries are not technically sealed. But the valve is controlled so that the gas can be turned off. Check out my other article, Choosing a Lead Acid Battery for Off Grid Solar.

Newcomer: Lithium-Ion
For decades, lead-acid batteries have been the predominant choice for off-grid solar power systems, but with the growth of lithium-ion battery electric vehicles, it's been a long time coming.

The two types of batteries you're most familiar with may not be the lead-acid batteries and the lithium-ion batteries. Most cars in America carry lead-acid batteries, while almost every Blackberry and laptop computer is powered by lithium-ion batteries. One battery suitable for your car and another for your mobile phone is caused by the chemicals used within each type of battery.

Batery basics
Batteries are electrochemical devices, which are meant to generate electricity through controlled chemical reactions between substances. Most batteries, including lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries, as well as the anode, cathode, and in-between act as electrolytes. The positive terminal is usually the positive terminal and current flows into the battery when it is in use. The cathode is usually the cathode and when the current flows out of the current. The chemistry between them is what gives electricity by its value. But they need a third substance in the form of an electrolyte.