FAST CHARGE

Should you ditch your lead-acid battery for lithium-ion technology? We look at the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

While some overland travellers have already migrated away from lead-acid batteries in favour of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4), others are still on the fence as they’re not yet convinced of the economics.

Installing a more expensive LiFePO4 auxiliary battery setup in a vehicle that’s only used a few times a year can be a tough pill to swallow, but the significant recharge benefits it offers may just justify the expense. And it’s not just about economics. The real question is: how much better performing is LiFePO4 when compared to lead-acid batteries? And does that performance validate the higher upfront costs? BATTERY TESTS Boasting a range of DC-DC chargers that are all lithium, AGM and wet-cell compatible, National Luna recently tested three battery options that are commonly used within the leisure market. They conducted these tests by discharging each battery type by 70Ah and then recorded the recharge performance using their 25A and 40A DC-DC chargers. As shown in the graphs, the LiFePO4 battery features a longer bulk charging stage in relation to its shorter absorption stage. This is thanks to lithium having a better conversion efficiency, which means the LiFePO4 battery reaches its full capacity in a far shorter period. In contrast, the recharge performance of the wet-cell and AGM batteries is hindered by a disproportionately short bulk stage, in comparison to a longer absorption stage. What’s more, the extra 15 amps of the NLDC-40 help the LiFePO4 battery reach a full charge in less than two hours. It goes without saying that a rapid recharge cycle is supremely practical in terms of driving times and how you plan your road trip. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Of course, only you can decide if the above data justifies a migration, but aside from the rate of recharge, there are several other benefits and drawbacks consider: COST VS PERFORMANCE With the above in mind, it’s clear that the decision to adopt LiFePO4 technology has less to do with economics and more to do with the convenience of having a fastcharging dual-battery system. That said, it’s really a personal question of whether the performance benefits of a LiFePO4 battery are enough to overlook the initial costs of the new-fangled technology. And keep in mind that the integration of a solar panel as well as your camping habits will also greatly influence your decision. For instance, do you typically drive long distances between camps, do you move around a lot or do you tend to stay in one campsite for a few days? What’s more, not all DC-DC chargers support lithium technology, so make sure your DC- DC unit is lithium compatible before you make any changes to your dual-battery setup. Fortunately, no matter which battery technology you decide on, the following National Luna products all support lithium-ion, LiFePO4, AGM, Calcium and wet-cell batteries.