Can lithium batteries directly replace lead-acid batteries?

04-012024

Author : Battsysbattery

The answer is affirmative. In applications such as golf carts and forklifts, you can definitely replace lead-acid batteries with lithium batteries - Lithium batteries as a replacement for lead-acid batteries are a more environmentally friendly and efficient energy storage solution, with higher reliability.

Why use lithium batteries instead of lead-acid batteries in golf carts and forklifts?

Lead-Acid vs. Lithium: Energy Density

Energy density is a measure of how much energy can be stored in a given space. Currently, lithium-ion batteries have an energy density generally ranging from 200 to 260Wh/kg, while lead-acid batteries typically range from 50 to 70Wh/kg.

This means that for the same capacity, lead-acid batteries are 3 to 5 times heavier than lithium-ion batteries.

Golf carts usually require long operating times, and the high energy density of lithium batteries can provide longer range, increasing usage time and coverage.

Forklifts require long-term operation to complete tasks, and the high energy density of lithium batteries can provide longer working hours, improving productivity and operational capacity.

Lead acid battery vs lithium battery

Lead-Acid vs. Lithium: Lifecycle

The cycle count of BATTSYS lithium iron phosphate batteries is usually over 3500+cycles, while lead-acid batteries usually only have about 300-400 cycles. Therefore, the service life of lithium-ion batteries is about 10 times that of lead-acid batteries.

Forklifts usually require frequent charge and discharge cycles. The long cycle life of lithium batteries means less replacement and maintenance costs, reducing overall ownership costs.

Lead-Acid vs. Lithium: Charging/Discharging Rate

In addition to the battery capacity you use, the speed at which you use the battery is also important.

Take a 100Ah battery as an example. If you have a 10 ampere (A) load, the battery will be completely depleted in 10 hours (100Ah ÷ 10A = 10 hours). This is considered a C/10 rate.

Similarly, if the same battery has a 50A load, it will be depleted in 2 hours (100Ah ÷ 50A = 2 hours). This is a C/2 rate. The rated value of most batteries is C/20, which means the battery will be completely depleted in 20 hours.

If your system has a high current load, or uses high current rapid charging (such as an AC generator or shore power), you need to consider the charging/discharging rate of the battery pack.

Lead-acid battery discharge curve

Lead-acid batteries typically perform best between C/8 and C/12 rates. Therefore, our 100Ah battery needs to be charged or discharged between 8A and 12A.

Battery discharge curve comparison

Lithium-ion batteries have much better discharge curves, so the battery voltage drops very little before it is almost completely discharged, while for lead-acid batteries, its voltage drops significantly throughout the discharge rate.

Some lithium batteries can handle C/1 rates and even higher rates for short periods of time, depending on the battery. This means that a 100Ah lithium battery can handle charging/discharging currents of 100A (or more).

Fast Charging/Discharging: Golf courses usually have short operating times and require fast charging to reduce downtime. Lithium batteries have faster charging speeds to meet this need.

Lead-Acid vs. Lithium: Memory Effect

Memory effect refers to the phenomenon that the battery's capacity decreases after several similar cycles of charge and discharge without full discharge.

Lithium-ion batteries have no memory effect; they can be charged and discharged at any time, and have low self-discharge.

Lead-acid batteries have memory effects and cannot be charged or discharged at any time; they have serious self-discharge, and the battery is easy to be scrapped after being left for a period of time; the discharge rate is small, and cannot discharge large currents for a long time.

Lead-Acid vs. Lithium: Size and Weight

On average, lithium batteries are 55% lighter than lead-acid batteries and have a smaller volume for the same capacity. This is particularly important in applications such as golf carts and forklifts where battery installation may affect performance.

It's time to use lithium batteries for golf carts and forklift applications

By choosing lithium batteries as a replacement for lead-acid batteries in golf carts and forklift applications, you will need fewer batteries, and these batteries will last longer, cycle deeper, provide more power, and weigh less.

Whether you are looking for a new battery pack for golf carts and forklifts or considering replacing aging lead-acid batteries, deep-cycle lithium-ion batteries (especially LiFePO4 batteries) are excellent solutions.

Compared with lead-acid batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries have greater power, higher current, longer life, smaller footprint, lighter weight, and safe, maintenance-free operation. Are you ready to take action and use lithium?

Please visit our website to view more lithium battery options, or contact us to help you choose the right lithium battery for your specific needs.

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