DEEP CYCLE BATTERY COMPARISON - Is Lithium really worth it?

If you're trying to choose the best deep cycle battery for your 4WD's dual battery setup, watch this!
Lithium batteries may have a higher price tag but they've got a much longer lifespan, and a lot of pros:

- Twice as many usable amp hours (AH) as AGM batteries
- Higher lithium input charge means you can charge your battery faster with a DCDC charger
- Higher lithium discharge rate means you can run high amp draw things like 240v inverters, power tools and blenders off your 12v system!
- More discharge cycles so your battery lives a much longer life
- Good quality lithium batteries have a built in BMS (battery management system)

[Rolling]

With my budget my 12v system comprises a torch, a campfire and an esky

[michaelboehm]

I’m not a 4 wheeler guy but considering Lithium for my boat. Excellent job mate. Such a professional delivery. I hope you’re using your presentation skills to earn money. You answered everything I needed to know.

[ianweal]

I have utilised 120amp hour AGM in caravan since 2004. In that time we have done weekend trips, fortnightly runs and 8 week vacations.
They have given us 7.5 years service from each. They have always been awesome, running electric blankets, coffee pod m/c, sandwich toaster lights, fans etc., however we have just retired and plan on utilising the van more extensively with an addition of a washing m/c. hence began investigating lithium.
Decided on Itech 120 and cannot believe just quickly it recharges, basically as soon as the solar panels (4 X 64watt amorphous) see sun light the battery is back to full capacity, so along with better operation we have reduced our weight.
As a result we purchased 3 x 54amp hour Itech units to replace our AGM units in our Patrol. Same result, superior recharge time and great weight saving over 3 X AGM.
Now to see how long these units last as they need to justify $ layout.
Thanks Shaun, you have given us confidence we have taken the correct action.

[JAJAGO.KELILING.INDONESIA]

THIS EXPLANATION IS THE BEST EVER
so clear, so informative, and easy to understand
regards from Indonesia

[marcusbarnes]

I have had the same shorai lithium battery in my gsxr 1000 going on 12 years.
I balance it once a year, takes 5 mins and still reads perfect 100% .

[feralmr]

I've been running LifePo4 cells for 5 years now. 1st up was a 400ah pack I built with 16 x 100ah cells in our caravan. Yes they cost a bit, but the weight savings (~52kg vs ~200kg) and what they could run over lead acid it was a no brainer.
I had 5 x 250watt 36 volt solar panels on the roof, Midnite solar controller and a 2000 watt Projector sine wave inverter. The system could run our Fujitzu 6kw inverter (inverter split system, max draw at 22 degrees was ~960 watt) domestic split system all day long plus the tv, 255 liter 240 volt sumsung inverter fridge, lights etc and still have 80-90% soc by dusk.

I now use 200ah of that LifePo4 pack in my 4wd, 1 x 250watt 36 volt solar panel, mppt solar controller. My 60 liter fridge/freeze is on 24/7, hasn't been turned off for at least a year. Also run a 1000 watt Projector sine wave inverter which will run my small Boc inverter arc welder and small grinder, small 240v air compressors etc.


Lead acid just can't do what a lithium can.

[FarrellMcGovern]

One disadvantage with Lithium batteries that you missed, and it is an important one for people in colder climates, like us Canadians, is that you can't charge them when they are below freezing, 0° C, or 32° F for the Americans. Most good quality Lithium batteries will have a low temperature cut off on their BMS, but virtually all of the cheaper Lithium batteries don't. Charging them below freezing damages your Lithium battery, and can dramatically reduce their life. Some models of Lithium batteries that are designed for colder climates have an internal heating element in them that kicks in to warm the battery up if you start trying to charge it when the temperature is below freezing...I know off the top of my head that both Battle Born and Renogy have versions of their batteries with that ability, there are probably others as well.

[MadmanJnr]

YouTube is doing well... Shauno has 10k+ in batteries and charger setup. Pretty epic setups

[GevaarlikeGert]

The best, most straightforward explanation of Lithium vs AGM I've seen. Nice one!

[FFL-vgro]

Wow! This is the best battery comparison video on YouTube - by a long shot.

[SkypowerwithKarl]

Battery selection of AGM vs Lithium is very specific for use. For a trolling battery it’s excellent when paired with a proper charger. For a starting battery it’s a very bad idea. Lithium is typically output current limited and a starter can overwhelm the battery. Also lithium batteries will hungrily accept a charge and can overwhelm many alternators. There are ways to adapt to them but in most cases they are not easily interchangeable.

[SarahandKeelanTravels]

We run complete lithium setup now. Lithium cranking battery and 480ah of iTechworld lithium deep cycle! works a treat and can run the aircon off them all day. the 120ah itechworld bats only weigh 11kg. Lithium is the way of the future but they are still so expensive

[jamiethorne]

Great video and simple explanation. The one thing that people also need to take into consideration is that AGM are easily recycled back into new Batteries. Lithium batteries are very hard to dispose of at the end of the life. So there is an environmental impact at the end of the life of the battery.

[ghostpepperrides]

USA. Indiana. Just purchased our first RV Fifth wheel. Prep for Solar with one AGM. As we outfit I have to decide more AGM or just go to Lithium get over the pain of cost. As a qualified Electrician I’m refreshing my knowledge and learning what’s new in the low voltage world. Your videos are spot on. Sub thank you

[mahdisalehi]

Good one Shauno, enjoyed watching the deep technology comparison between the two, please do more of these side by sides. Nice graphic works too. Cheers

[nl]

I’m an electrician and wanted some real world info on these 2 batteries for a project.
Best video ever, you covered everything and tested everything perfectly.
I’m subscribing even though I don’t 4wd.

[MarcS-zuqf]

There is one point more for cons. The discharge and charge of Lithium during frost. Discharge is generally possible until-15/20°C but for charging you need something around -5°C. In Australia maybe not an issue and/or if your Battery is inside the Vehicle.
My Battery is in the back of my Hilux and is a AGM from Optima wich is allready working for 8 years. But i like to replace it by Lithium just to try it.
Thx for a really good Video!👍
Brgds 🙋🏻‍♂️

[jeddadog]

Had problems with a well known brand lithium. BMS played up in hot temps, shut the battery down and wouldn’t charge etc. No good in the middle of nowhere. Also can’t determine what SoC lithiums are from volt reading and need to spend more money on a battery monitor. Gone back to AGM and no BMS to worry about and totally reliable. SoC easily determined by volt reading. No noticeable difference to vehicle performance carrying the extra 15kg in weight either. Twenty years of travelling and there was no difference to my trips having a lithium compared to AGM. BMS in lithium batteries need improving so maybe in a couple years I’ll go back to lithium. Just my 2c worth

[HammerRocks]

Shauno's 12v system on his LC200 probably cost more than my entire rig. 🤯😲

[edwardfitzgerald]

I run a 100ah lead acid deep cycle and voltage relay. Sets me back about $300 in total. Ultimate budget setup.