10 Reasons to Choose Lithium Iron to Power Your Off-Grid Adventures

LITHIUM IRON BATTERIES CAN POWER YOUR OFF-GRID ADVENTURE

Battery technology has seen significant advancement over the past several decades. What started as an experiment by inventors like Benjamin Franklin and Allesandro Volta is now a massive industry. With improvements in technology and cost-effectiveness, the demand for Lithium batteries continues to experience double-digit growth. 

Lithium batteries have thousands of practical applications.  One of those applications is powering an “off-grid” lifestyle. Here we will discuss a specific kind of Lithium battery, the Lithium Iron (LiFePO4) deep-cycle battery. Whether you’re powering your RV, your boat, your remote living site, or are working toward energy independence, these Lithium Iron deep-cycle batteries will do the job.

WHAT IS AN LiFePO4 (LFP) BATTERY?

A Lithium Iron deep-cycle battery (LiFePO4 or LFP) is a specific type of lithium battery using lithium iron phosphate. You may not care about the chemical composition, but it has many advantages over other lithium and more traditional lead-acid battery technologies.  LiFePO4 batteries cost less than most alternatives (over time). They are not toxic and have a longer life span. Read further to see ten reasons why these Lithium Iron deep-cycle batteries are the best choice to power your off-grid adventure.

Learn more – click on Duracell's Lithium Battery to learn more about powering your Off-Grid Adventure! 

1. THEY LAST LONGER

LFP batteries can be charged several thousand times. If you charged your battery once a day (365 times per year), it could last ten years or more. By comparison, regular lithium Ion batteries can only be charged about 1,000 times. Traditional Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries can only be charged 400-500 times.  Consequently, they will have only a fraction of the lifespan that Lithium Iron deep-cycle batteries will have. 

2. THEY PROVIDE CONSTANT POWER

LFP batteries provide a constant amount of amperage even as the battery goes below 50%, 30%, or even 15%. By comparison, as traditional SLA batteries discharge, less power is available, especially when the battery is below 50%. 

3. THEY OPERATE LONGER BEFORE NEEDING A CHARGE

LFP batteries are energy-dense and can be discharged without damage while maintaining constant power. By comparison, SLA batteries can only be discharged to 50% of their capacity without causing damage or experiencing lower power output. Consequently, LFP batteries exhibit longer running times before needing to be recharged.

4. THEY CHARGE FASTER

LFP batteries can be charged in two to four hours. Traditional SLA batteries take up to 10 hours to charge, two to four times longer than the LFP alternative.

5. THEY’RE READY WHEN YOU ARE

On average, LFP batteries discharge at only about 2% per month. So, the battery remains ready when you are, even if you haven’t used it in a couple of years. This compares to a 30% per month discharge rate for SLA batteries; your SLA battery would be dead in three months without charging.

6. THEY’RE LIGHTWEIGHT, EASIER TO HANDLE

Compared to similarly powered SLA batteries, LFP batteries are significantly lighter and take up less space, making them easier to transport to and from your boat, worksite, or RV.

7. THEY’RE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

LFP batteries use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4). Both iron and phosphate are non-toxic materials. They are also abundantly available and low cost. Finally, because of their chemical composition, LFP batteries are free from outgassing, fumes, and leaks.

8. THEY’RE SAFER

We’ve all seen headlines about the safety hazards of some batteries, from car batteries to skateboard batteries and even lithium phone batteries (under extreme conditions). Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) technology utilizes lithium chemistry that is non-combustible. LFP batteries are inherently stable – they don’t catch fire or explode.  

9. THEY’RE COST-EFFECTIVE

While SLA batteries have a lower initial cost, they have to be replaced more frequently. LFP batteries last longer and have no maintenance costs during their lifespan. In the long run, LFP batteries prove to be a sound investment.

10. GOOD IN COLD AND HOT WEATHER

The LFP battery is designed to prevent damage to itself during charging and use in extreme temperatures. Whether ice fishing or driving your RV through the desert, an LFP battery will continue to perform, keeping the lights on and the coffee brewing.

CONCLUSION

Battery technology has come a long way. When comparing the options and weighing the pros and cons, there is no doubt that LFP deep-cycle batteries are the way to go when powering your off-grid lifestyle. It’s simply the safest bet, the less expensive long-term solution, and the most reliable and durable battery technology in the market.

If you are looking for a quality LFP battery, consider our Duracell LFP battery. It’s a superior technology from an industry leader committed to safely providing you with a reliable solution to power your off-grid adventure. Click here to learn more.