Lithium vs AGM Batteries: What's Best For Off-Grid Solar Power Systems? Comparison & Breakdown

In this video we go over the difference between Lithium Batteries and Lead Acid Batteries when it comes to solar power systems.. This video will help you understand which battery option makes the most sense for you.

Browse the store here:

Get Instant Access To Our [DIY Solar Essentials] | 7 X Video Training Modules + 40 Page Solar Handbook | Delivered Straight To Your Inbox

[patgervais]

I have been running marine agm batteries for 7 years with no fails and need only basic components to do this, no need to monitor basic power MPPT controllers works, I run 12 batteries witch powers my home lights tv, pellet stove, internet, and charges around 14 Makita batteries 24/7, fans, all my kitchen tools like blenders and such for 7 years so far with no real drop in battery

[practicalguy]

Saying LifePO4 battery will last 10-20 years is misleading! The battery chemistry in theory sure, however there is a complicated electronic BMS with hundreds of electronic components that can fail within the battery. The battery electronics are usually under warranty for 1-2 years for most brands. I've owned plenty of electronics that don't last more than 3-6 years. Think of modern LED light bulbs that have 30'000 hour rated LEDs. The LED driver electronics fail far before the LED. That might be the case with some BMS.

[stevenhart]

Lithium batteries have not been in high production long enough to know if they will reach warranty periods. And models show lead acid batteries if maintained last at least half as long if not more, so considering cost is less than half on average, they are often cheaper over all than lithium. Personally i have been off grid solar for 35 years. I had lead acid batteries which lasted 16 years & were still working at nearly 100% capacity when wild fire took them. They had regularly been used to almost zero capacity thousands of cycles & still lasted 16 years. So i think all the models used by lithium battery companies to disclaim other batteries are a bit fanciful & hold little weight compared to my 16 year experiance.

[csmooney]

Wow .... right to the point! In that regard, best YouTube video I have ever seen.

[edesir]

Didn't realize how fast 8 years went by on my AGM batteries. They were great, mostly had them in float mode and rarely used it to power up the house, wanted to save it in case of an emergency. well recently I noticed on inverter power I got about 15 min of run time. That's using 16 125ah bats in 24v mode.. Researched everything but the lifespan. Never got a real time use of my system btw living in florida.

[scooterpenrose]

The standard convention for SLA is 10 to 15 years and I have been doing off grid batteries for over 26 years now. I still prefer now lithium - but your comment about only lasting 2-3 years is rubbish !

[jimgersky]

7 yrs vs bravo for overlooking that...

[albertumoh]

If Lead Acid batteries can only be discharged 50%, why do we still have to calculate with 2, 400W which is it’s 100% capacity while designing a solar array to charge it? Why not 1, 200W?

[brendandoherty]

I bought a 12V 200ah AGM battery about 15 months ago, I have a 60A MPPT CC and 2 160W 12V panels. Every day the panels charge the battery and at night for approx 9 hours I power three 5M LED light strings, battery starts of at approx 12.8V and after 9 hours use the voltage is at least that's what WAS the case for 14 months. Last week I noticed that the battery voltage was 12.1V at the end of the night, now I can't use the lights for 9 hours; after about 5 or 6 hours the voltage has already dropped to 11.5V, although when I switch the LEDs off the battery voltage jumps to my Chinese made AGM battery is nearing the end after a mere 14 Anyone have any suggestions?

[brianlewke]

I have a 2003 club car ds GAS, thinking about putting in a lithium battery, your recommended,

[Bikepacking]

Just subbed one thing is missing i think is that in 5 years the battery of the acid will be much cheaper than todays prices

[quickfingers]

how many lithium battery of 48v 100ah do I need if I have 18 solar panel 550w?

[wobdeehomestead]

Amp hours is confusing to me. I want to replace my 4 ea 6V agm 400ah batteries with lithium, do I have to match the amp hours?

[bobmonztr]

Try another test vs Lead carbon agm PbC, it would change the specs drastically. 100% D.O.D. possible @ 800 cycles, 50% 3200 cycles, my charge rate is 190A, no BMS, no heaters, no equalizers, -40c to 60c, sealed non spillable, 2-year storage, safe for indoor use, no risk of fire, heavy 170lbs not for mobile applications, maybe 2 at 6kwh and 340lbs. Claims of 3200 cycles may seem low but what is going to go wrong besides loosing capacity over the years, at least I know it won't burst into flames. In 2023 Massachusetts had 58 deaths from lithium battery fires *google. If any lithium battery goes thermal runaway, it is hard to extinguish, some companies put fire suppression systems in their lithium products and claim its safe, if it is so safe why does it have its own fire extinguisher?. In most cases the lithium cells are same as everyone else cells. Xterra in 3 sizes 12v100 12v250 and 6v 400 and good upgrade for any system old or new.

[miguelsalami]

Here's the deal breaker. Which ones Safer?

[StrapDLBStyle]

2 minutes into the video already spitting out bad information let acid and AGM are not the same let acid batteries you do not want to discharge past 55% AGM batteries there are many AGM batteries on the market today that you could discharge up into the 80 to 88% off

[florantetan]

Thium batteris hurst in flames when overheat, lead acid batteries dont ill use lead acid

[taurihaidma]

Hello,
I have been using 12x 12v 200ah (48v) VARTA lead acid truck batteries for over 10 years and there haven't been any issues with their capacity. In the winter, I run my aircon heat pump 24/7 and use a fireplace to heat my house, and in the summer, I occasionally cool with the heat pump. In addition, I have a large refrigerator, a 50L boiler, lighting, house ventilation, a dishwasher, washing machine, TV, amplifiers, a computer, a laptop, and many other... Power-hungry devices only run when there is plenty of sunshine. It's been almost 11 years since I last paid for electricity, and my average monthly electricity consumption is 250-300kw. I also have a 3kw solar array connected to charger. The batteries cost €1700 and have long since paid for themselves.

[NYCamper]

Last year I replaced my 4x 6v GC2 bank with 4x AGM's. So I deal with the 50% rule. Big deal, been doing that for over a decade. I will not consider lithium because of winter temps. Cheers.

[vergelbansill]

Lol, Why buy sealed AGM, buy the ones u can replenish with Acid and Water, Obviously you don't know anything about Deep Cycle Car or Truck Batteries...Also, Lithium can not work on extreme Cold and Hot Weather....c'mon man next time make a video that is "TRUE and Un Example, I had a 2003 Mercedes E500, yup the battery lasted longer than the car...