A 12v 100ah lithium ion deep cycle battery is a common size to provide power to a range of appliances, lights, and other electronics. But why spend the extra money for a lithium battery? Well, here’s why it might be worth the investment. At a top-level view, 12V Lithium-ion batteries are:
Much lighter in weight
A 100ah 12V lithium battery weighs around 26lbs. Compare that to a 60lb lead-acid deepcycle battery, and you have something that’s much more manageable to work with.
Significantly more energy-dense
With lithium batteries, you’re looking at a Specific Energy level of around 150 Wh/kg, versus the 30-40Wh/kg that you’ll find in a normal 100ah AGM battery.
More forgiving in acceptable discharge levels
If you aren’t already aware, your normal SLA deep-cycle 12V battery should never be drained past 50% charge, or else you risk losing a significant number of lifetime recharge cycles. Depending on your daily amperage consumption, this might mean that you’d need a larger SLA battery to match your needs. However, a LiFePo4 12v battery can comfortably be drained to 20% without any damage to its lifespan. So it’s very possible that a single 12v lithium ion battery could take the place of 2 SLA’s in meeting your daily demand.
Longer-Lasting
On the topic of cycle count, you’d be lucky if you get 400 charge cycles out of a normal AGM battery. But the advancements in Lithium ion battery technology have changed the game, offering up to 3,000+ cycles without issue!
Fast to charge
In terms of charge times, a 12v Li Ion battery dominates an AGM. Maybe you don’t need this, because you have plenty of daylight to capture in a day. But depending on your usage and charging setup, this might be a lifesaver. A 100ah Lithium ion battery will charge up to 3-4X faster than a traditional, sealed lead-acid battery.
