100ah Li vs. 200ah AGM

100ah Li vs. 200ah AGM

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100ah Li vs. 200ah AGM

This comparison has likely been touched upon in previous threads, but I'll bring it up again for clarity: Is it valid to compare BattleBorn's 100ah lithium units with 200ah AGMs? My main electrical load is a 2.8 amp fridge, while the heater fan uses under 2 amps in cold weather. Our lighting consists of LED and fluorescent lights, used sparingly. Currently, we have a 200ah AGM house battery. It does seem like the BattleBorn unit could handle this load, but I wanted to get insights from those who are more familiar with these topics.

– Thanks.

I wouldn't entirely agree, but the comparison is somewhat valid. When looking at depth of discharge, a 100 amp LiFePO4 battery can be compared to a 200 amp AGM. Typically, for longevity, it's advised not to drain AGM batteries below 50%, giving you 100 amps from a 200-amp AGM. BattleBorn claims 100% depth of discharge for their batteries. While some other LiFePO4 manufacturers advise against taking the battery down to 100%, you can see where these comparisons arise.

However, the issue of battery charging is crucial for this comparison. If the battery isn't fully charged, the comparison falls apart. Some LiFePO4 charging schemes don't exceed 80% charge, which equates to 70 real available amp-hours instead of 100. Likewise, many people don't get their AGMs fully charged either, which complicates the comparison further.

Your loads are minimal, and you don't use an inverter, eliminating one larger load. However, note that your 100 amp LiFePO4 battery has discharge limitations due to its Battery Management System (BMS). It supports a 100-amp continuous discharge and a 200-amp surge for 30 seconds, making it capable of supporting a 1000 watt inverter.

– Hope this helps, Greg

LifeBlue claims its 200ah unit but calls it a 150ah unit capable of 200 for 30 minutes and 500 for 3 seconds. Even with the real-world limitations, it more than handles max loads. I prefer this, but its height is an issue in our setup. The LifeBlue is 30% pricier than the BattleBorn 100ah (for a power increase), and three times more than a FullRiver AGM. However, its conservative approach is appealing.

Greg, your insights were helpful. We have an inverter, but our loads are minimal—charging laptops, electric toothbrushes, and Joyce's keyboard. LifeBlue’s battery fits most of our loading scenarios, but the installation constraints might be a problem given the extra height and potential for getting wet under the vehicle, which could void the warranty.

Thanks to everyone for your detailed comments and recommendations. Battery technology is constantly evolving, and it's reassuring to receive input from community members who have hands-on experience.

Your threads and comments have been invaluable. Cheers!
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