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--- electrical:12v:batteries [2022/01/26 17:01]
princess_fluffypants [Lead batteries]
+++ electrical:12v:batteries [2023/08/17 23:39] (current)
princess_fluffypants [Lithium Batteries]
@@ 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 a 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.
+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 26: / 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 33: / 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 =====
-[[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|Deep cycle batteries (Primarily lead)]]
+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:
-[[electrical:12v:drop-in_lifepo4|Drop-in Lithium (LiFePO4)]]
+  * 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.
-[[electrical:12v:lifepo4_batteries_thread|Synopsis of C&amp;S LiFePO4 batteries thread]]

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