I personally have not researched these. I hope I'm still 4-5 years away from needing to replace my Lifeline AGM's.
BatteryPro (Larry) - Helps many of us on the Going Green forum of the board. And he and his wife Debbie have run StartLight Solar out of Yuma since the early 2000's. (They're also fellow RV'er's, in a reverse snow bird cycle
!)
Larry was just commenting on a Going Green thread about LifeBlue's - as one of the three brands they stock:
"We currently stock 3 brands including the amazing LiFeBlue batteries."
So if Larry is impressed with them, that would be enough for me to research them if looking for a set of Lithiums. IMO - He's a knowledgeable straight shooter.
Many factors when evaluating Wet vs Gel vs AGM vs Lithium. Cost per AH is for sure a valid evaluation criteria, and I believe the order I listed the types of batteries go from lower to highest in the cost per AH value.
A few other evaluation criteria:
>100AH of lithium yield higher 'Useable AH', due to being able to do deeper discharge. (50% being the norm for all but Lithium.) Differently levels for Lithium, but using 80% as an example - that is 30%/30AH more usage per 100AH of battery capacity.
>Faster recharge with proper charging equipment.
>Higher volume of Life Cycles usage.
>Lighter weight and smaller foot print for that same 100AH bank.
I'll stop hear, but my main reason for my expected jump to lithium in the future are the lower weights which yield some savings in MPG per year (minor for sure, but still some savings. And also for coaches with marginal power to weight ratios - this is another factor
!. Same on stopping, less weight should equate to less stopping distances. I'll also shift to AGM Starter battery at that time, and close off the dirt collecting open grill of my battery compartment at that time. (Will help in battery compartment temperature control, required for the lithium. And at the same time keep this compartment and it's electronics cleaner from dust.)
Just as some feel traditional wet cel GC2 batteries are the logical way to go, while many feel that AGM's are worth the higher costs for various reasons - now another round of feel the lithium's are also worth the jump in the higher price.. And for me, I hope as each year goes by, lithium prices will continue to drop
!
For sure no right or wrong, just choices for us all to make
!
$.02
!
Smitty
Linear Mode
