K. Lead Acid batteries Vs lithium batteries
Lead-Acid and Lithium both have a life expectancy of approx 10 years max
In these 10 years a Lead Acid battery will give up to 500 discharge cycles
on the other hand in these 10 years a Lithium battery will give up to 3000 discharge cycles
Lithium is 3 times more expensive than Lead Acid
If you use the boat a lot (more than 150 times per year) Lithium works out cheaper
As this is often not the case with recreational boats, the remaining benefits of Lithium are:
- – higher energy density (smaller & lighter battery)
- – very deep discharge with no harm to the battery
- – quick recharging
- – ideal for solar charging as Lithium batteries don’t mind sitting empty as much
CONCLUSIONS:
If you have a displacement boat which needs weight: use lead acid
If you have a racing yacht and a big budget: use lithium