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--- electrical:12v:batteries [2022/01/26 01:20]
princess_fluffypants created
+++ electrical:12v:batteries [2023/08/17 23:39] (current)
princess_fluffypants [Lithium Batteries]
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== High-level battery overview ======
-Batteries used in your "House" setup have markedly different needs than the battery that's already under the hood of your car.  Not that there aren't similarities, but understanding the differences can help you right-size the batteries for your need and avoid [[electrical:batterycide|battery murder]].
+Batteries used in your [[electrical:12v:intro|"house" setup]] have markedly different needs than the battery that's already under the hood of your car.  Not that there aren't similarities, but understanding the differences can help you right-size the batteries for your need and avoid [[electrical:batterycide|battery murder]].
 ===== Battery Types =====
@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
   * Heavy.  Like REALLY REALLY heavy
   * Easier to [[electrical:batterycide|murder]] if they're not treated properly
+  * Need to be FULLY RECHARGED every day (realistically, this means you need solar)
   * Lower useable capacity
+While it is possible to use standard automotive batteries that you get at Wal-Mart or the auto parts store as your house batteries, [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|Deep Cycle batteries]] are better suited to the task.  They are designed for more regular/deeper charge and discharge cycles.
 ==== Lithium Batteries ====
@@ Line 25: / Line 27: @@
   * Very high energy density
   * Light(er than lead)
-  * Greater useable capacity
+  * Greater usable capacity
-  * More tolerant of abuse/undercharging
+  * No need to be fully recharged (in fact, they almost prefer not to be)
   * Faster charge/discharge ability
   * Longer lifespan
@@ Line 32: / Line 34: @@
   * **Cons**
   * Expensive, like REALLY expensive
+    * As of 2023, drop-in Lithium batteries have gone from "catastrophically expensive" to simply "very expensive"
   * Requires specialized charge controllers
-  * Cannot be charged when below freezing
+  * Cannot be charged when below freezing (Some drop-in lithium batteries come with integrated heaters to allow charging when ambient is below freezing)
   * Charge/Discharge voltage different from lead - many "gauges" will not work
+===== Further reading =====
+With the prices of Lithium coming down to approachable levels, they are becoming more and more popular for all levels of build. There's two methods of obtaining a good lithium battery setup:
+  * Pre-built or "[[electrical:12v:drop-in_lifepo4|Drop-in Lithium (LiFePO4)]]" batteries. These are factory made batteries that you can (mostly) treat like any other battery; they're a sealed black box that already contain a Battery Monitoring System (BMS), safety cut-offs, and sometimes bluetooth monitoring.
+  * The more industrious (or frugal) can go the [[electrical:12v:lifepo4_batteries_thread|DIY Lithium]] path. This is where you buy the raw cells (usually at a deep discount directly from China), a BMS, cables, and bus bars, and build the battery packs yourself. Done properly, //massive// capacities can be had for prices so low it's not much more than a good lead battery setup.
+For those still pursuing lead chemistries, [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|Deep cycle batteries (Primarily lead)]] are strongly preferable.

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