Battery Basics
Lithium-Ion Batteries vs. Lead Acid Batteries in Jump Packs
In the past, jump packs have always utilized lead-acid batteries, but the jump packs of the future are turning to lithium-ion batteries for their ability to deliver the same amount of power in a much smaller and lighter product. Take for example in our every day lives, our cell phones and laptop computers have gotten smaller yet still manage to hold a charge a lot longer. Why? It’s all due to the growing use of lithium-ion batteries.
Here are some of the ways lithium-ion and lead acid batteries stack up to one another:
Energy Density in Volume
Lithium-ion delivers up to 4X more power than lead-acid for the same amount of space.
Energy Density in Weight
Lithium-ion provides up to 6X more power than lead-acid for the same amount of weight.
Self-discharge
All batteries leak a bit of their charge while they sit on a shelf; it’s inevitable. However, some batteries discharge faster than others, and when you call on that battery in a time of need months later, it may not be able to deliver:
Lithium-ion discharge rate – 3 to 5% of charge/month
Lead-acid discharge rate – 5 to 15% of charge/month
Cycle Life
This is defined as the amount of times a battery can be fully charged and discharged before needing to be replaced. A longer cycle life means an extended lifespan. Lithium-ion has nearly double the cycle life of lead-acid batteries. Exact numbers will vary depending on the types of lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries since each has varying types of chemistries.
Maintenance
In general, lead-acid batteries are more high-maintenance than lithium-ion. They lose charge quickly and degrade easily, whereas lithium-ion batteries are more of a Steady Eddie. Lithium-ion requires a lot less attention and can go longer periods without maintenance.
Capacity
The bigger and more abundant cells allow lead-acid batteries to hold much larger capacities than equivalent lithium-ion. To get equal capacities, you would have to increase the number of lithium-ion cells in a battery pack, eliminating the big advantage of lithium-ion: it’s compact!
Cost
Lithium-ion is the more expensive option over the industry grandfather: lead-acid. Comparative battery packs can easily go for triple the cost or more. However, the cost of lithium-ion batteries will pay for itself many times over in the long run.
The winner?
While there are tradeoffs for each, it’s easy to see where most jump-start needs can be met with the lithium-ion alternative. From energy density in volume and weight to self-discharge rate, cycle life and maintenance, lithium-ion has a lot of advantages.
So you be the judge. But here at Weego, we’ll put our money on the future.
Learn more about Weego’s product line of jump starters, battery packs, accessories and replacements parts here.
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