There are many types of batteries on the market, but not all batteries completely satisfy your specifications. Thus, selecting the best car battery brands for your applications is mandatory but challenging. You need to know about energy consumption before deciding which battery to purchase. Moreover, you should understand whether you must select a battery with a long service life, increased energy capacity, energy density, improved safety, and similar considerations. Otherwise, car mechanics in Perth can assist you in this matter. This article makes an exhaustive comparison of an AGM vs Lithium Battery. It enumerates the variations among the best car battery types and guides you in selecting the correct car battery for your vehicle.
What is AGM Battery?
It is a higher technology than a lead-acid battery. The term AGM stands for Absorbent Glass Mat. This battery will take sulfuric acid as an electrolyte.
This way, the AGM car battery becomes maintenance-free and spill-proof. Several merits of the use of traditional batteries accompany these types of batteries. AGM battery has a low chance of sulfation and retains the charge efficiently. Regarding mounting, AGM batteries accommodate looser orientations since the liquid or electrolyte is contained within these batteries.
In other words, an AGM battery is applied in multiple fields where a maintenance-free and constant power supply is essential, i.e., marine, renewable energy storage, backup power configurations, etc.
Also Read: Reasons Why Car Battery Keeps Draining and How to Stop It
What is a Lithium Battery?
One of the famous rechargeable batteries is the lithium battery. If you are unaware of a rechargeable battery, the battery is charged and discharged repeatedly so that you can take advantage of the energy being stored. The mobile phones, laptops and cameras operate on rechargeable batteries. Li batteries contain Lithium as an active substance.
Lithium batteries’ significant characteristics, including the capacity to be recharged hundreds of times, low self-discharge rate and energy density, make Lithium batteries capable of a variety of applications, including emergency power backup, renewable energy storage, smartphones, portable power banks, tablets, and remote alarm applications.
The high energy density and lightweight design bring greater value to the credibility of lithium batteries, which is why lithium batteries are an ideal choice in electric vehicles and portable electronic devices.
Lightweight design and increased energy density give better credit to a lithium auto battery, and these batteries cannot find a better application in electric cars and portable electronics. The present market provides a variety of lithium battery chemistries. They include Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), Lithium-ion (Li-ion), Lithium polymer (LiPo) and others.
Differences between AGM and Lithium Battery
Having discussed the fundamentals of AGM and lithium batteries, it is time to learn AGM vs Lithium Battery comparison to help you make an ideal choice.
1. Depth of Discharge (DoD)
Depth of Discharge is the capacity of a battery that is consumed without harming its life.
– AGM Batteries
The recommended DoD of AGM batteries is 50%, which means that half of the battery capacity should not be utilized to prevent the life of the battery from being reduced.
– Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries allow a DoD of up to 80-100% so that users can utilize nearly full capacity without notable impact on performance or life. This made lithium batteries much more effective daily, particularly in solar and off-grid systems.
2. Size and Weight
The size of the space is an important issue for individuals with small spaces, like caravan owners.
– AGM Batteries
AGM batteries absorb liquid acid, which adds extra weight. Also, when the depth of discharge is low, it implies that to achieve a certain application, you will require a high-capacity (large) battery.
– Lithium Batteries
Lighter lithium-ion batteries do not contain any liquid acid. In addition, they have a greater depth of discharge, so a comparatively smaller lithium-ion battery can deliver the same energy as a larger lead-acid battery.
Also Read: Everything You Need To Know About Car Diagnostic Tests
3. Applications
Both AGM and Lithium-ion batteries have certain specializations, and each is more appropriate for specific applications:
– AGM Batteries
AGM batteries are popular in automotives, starting use in recreational vehicles, boats, and backup power. They can provide high bursts of power, find their use in different areas that need reliable starting sources, and allow intermediate deep cycling.
– Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries are widely applied in electric vehicles, off-grid and renewable energy systems, and portable electronics. They have high energy density values and lightweight structures and are applicable when size, weight reduction, and long-run succession are crucial.
4. Temperature Performance
Battery performance is important concerning temperature.
– AGM Batteries
AGM achieves acceptable discharge rates even in sub-zero temperatures and can work well in colder climates. However, they are more susceptible to degradation at high temperatures and must be ventilated or risk from the heat.
– Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries are unable to withstand very low temperatures. A lithium battery is degraded permanently by charging at temperatures below 0C (32F) unless it has a heater built in or has a BMS with an internal low-temperature cutoff.
They tend to prevail in moderate to high temperatures; however, lithium batteries will perform better in efficiency and cycle life, and many lithium battery models have inbuilt thermal management designed to counter extreme temperatures.
Also Read: Why Does My Car Engine Stalls When Accelerating or Stopped?
5. Price and Long-term Values
– AGM Batteries
AGM battery prices are 2-3 times lower than lithium batteries. This is why they are a firm favourite among cost-conscious customers or low users. However, the costs of lithium batteries are also more favourable in the long-term perspective when viewed in terms of the total cost of ownership (TCO).
– Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries tend to have a lower cost per cycle than AGM batteries due to their long rather than short cycle life, greater efficiencies, less frequent replacements, and less time-consuming maintenance in the long run. Consider, e.g., a lithium battery with 3,000 discharge/charge cycles to an AGM with 500 discharge/charge cycles; the first could pay off the investment cost in a few years.
AGM or Lithium-ion: Which Battery is Right?
Both batteries are undoubtedly good choices for millions of people all over the world. However, your choice will depend on your situation. In the AGM vs Lithium Battery debate, if you need a more reliable option with longevity, better energy density, and lighter, compact size, go with a lithium-ion battery. However, if you are considering cost and need an affordable energy storage option that has decent performance, AGM batteries would your best option.
Additionally, installing a battery in an incredibly hot or cold climate requires one to go in line with an AGM battery rather than a lithium one from a professional car battery repair shop.
Also Read: The Benefits Of Hiring A Mobile Car Mechanic In Perth
Conclusion
Among all batteries sold on the market, lithium and AGM batteries play a special role. The above discussion elaborates on the AGM vs Lithium Battery comparison.
Lithium batteries have better performance, better lifespan, and charging time, among other parameters, compared to AGM batteries, yet they are expensive given their unrivalled functionalities. But, the AGM batteries are cost–effective and less secure than Lithium.
It is always better to consult a professional car battery service for maintaining battery health. So, the best mechanics in Perth will service it perfectly.
FAQs
1. Can I upgrade an AGM to a lithium battery for my existing car?
Ans.
This is true, but it depends on the compatibility of the vehicle. There are altering systems that require adjustments before converting to Lithium—a car battery replacement in Perth helps complete the task perfectly.
2. Is Lithium better than AGM batteries?
Ans.
Not all the time, but AGM batteries are better in cold and very hot weather. Conversely, lithium batteries are more expensive, but they have very long lifetimes, an average of 15 years.
3. Will an AGM battery take a lithium charger?
Ans.
No, a lithium charger cannot charge an AGM battery. Lithium chargers are optimized to suit lithium batteries’ charging profile, which is significantly different from AGM batteries.
