AGM or lithium? If you're buying a caravan battery, this is one of the first decisions you need to make.
Back when the only choice was lead acid AGM batteries, the answer was simple. AGM batteries provided everything you could want in a deep cycle and starter battery.
Then along came lithium and everything changed. Lithium batteries promise higher efficiency, better life cycles and lightweight package - just for a much higher price.
So, which one do you choose for your caravan?
Take a look at our AGM vs Lithium Caravan Battery Review:
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Cost:
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One of the biggest benefits of AGM batteries is they are cheap. Why? It simply comes down to the fact that they are the cheapest to produce.The $1300-3000 price-tag of lithium batteries is the main thing stopping people from buying them. But this price is dropping every day, making them a more attractive option for mobile power. Especially when you realise what you get for your money.
Pro tip: buying a lithium battery in a bundle will save you money and provide you with everything you need for your setup!
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Lithium vs AGM Capacities:
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Lithium batteries pack more energy into smaller package. You need a lot more Amp hours in an AGM battery to get the same amount of Amp hours in a Lithium battery:
100Ah Lithium = 160Ah AGM
125Ah Lithium = 200Ah AGM
200Ah Lithium = 360Ah AGM
Bottom line? While you pay more for a lithium battery, you get more bang for buck with efficiency. They have higher performance, better longevity and require almost no maintenance.
Depth of Discharge:
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A battery's depth of discharge (DoD) is the percentage of the battery that has been discharged relative to its overall capacity.
- 100Ah of lithium will give you 80Ah
- 100Ah of AGM will give you 50Ah
Therefore, in the battle of AGM vs Lithium, you're looking at 50% vs 80%. This means AGM's are best suited to caravans that are used every few months, not all the time.
Life Cycle:
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Lithium batteries win the life cycle battle. A lithium battery will give you almost double the life cycle of an AGM. This simply means you'll need to replace an AGM battery sooner than a lithium battery. That upfront cost isn't looking so bad now, right?
Size and Weight:
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When it comes to the weight and size, lithium batteries win hands down. Lithium batteries are a more compact, lightweight option compared to AGM lead batteries. The clue is in the name: AGM lead acid batteries contain more lead, making them much heavier.
So, you can save on size and weight in your RV. How much exactly? Lithium batteries can save up to 70% of the weight and volume of traditional lead batteries of similar capacity.
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Applications:
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This is where AGM takes the win. AGM offers some hybrid batteries which can be used for cranking and deep cycle. However, you can't use lithium as a cranking battery.
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Recommended Batteries:
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Lithium batteries we recommend are:
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Enerdrive ePOWER B-TEC 200Ah Lithium 40A DC2DC Battery Pack. Available in 12V 200Ah, 125Ah and 100Ah capacities, the battery is designed for deep cycle applications where a single battery is required to meet the amp hour capacity.
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Enerdrive B-TEC 200Ah Slim Metal Case Lithium Battery - This newly released design are great for the space saver or avid 4WD driver that is looking for off grid power at a fraction of the space.
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Renogy Core Series Deep Cycle Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery If you're hesitant about the larger price tag on lithium batteries, a Renogy Battery might be the option for you. Their Core Series are a good 'entry level' battery which come in 100Ah, 200Ah and 300Ah options.
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Baintech 110Ah Slimline Lithium Battery with Built in 20 Amp Smart Alternator DC-DC Charger and Bracket. This slimline lithium battery has a built in DC to DC charger, BMS system and is super lightweight.
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Invicta 12V 300Ah Lithium Battery with Bluetooth + BMPRO 30Ah 12V DC Battery Charger + BMPRO 25Ah 12V AC Battery Charger. Available in 12V, 24V & 36V and 9Ah through to 300 Ah, Invicta offers a range of lithium batteries to suit your needs. The newest feature of these Invicta batteries is the huge 7 year warranty!
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AGM batteries we recommend are:
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Zeal 125Ah 12V AGM Deep Cycle Battery: This battery is able to deliver high currents on demand, and offers strong reliability with low self-discharge!
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Camec 120AH SLA AGM Battery: This Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) AGM deep cycle battery is completely sealed and can be stored at any angle with great vibration resistance, making it a great option for caravan, RV, 4WD and marine use.
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Power AGM 135Ah Dual Purpose Battery: The AGM Dual Purpose has many size and polarity options. Ideal for 4WD start and dual battery setups.
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Victron 12V 125Ah AGM Super Cycle Battery: This AGM range boasts a very low internal resistance making the batteries ideal for high current discharge applications such as inverters, thrusters and winches.
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Our Verdict: AGM vs Lithium
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If you're on a budget, need cranking or only want to a run a 4x4 fridge, AGM is the battery for you. Keep it simple and cheap.
But if you're hitting the road for a long trip and want to run high current appliances and gadgets, lithium batteries offer heaps more advantages in weight, size and efficiency.
Lithium requires less maintenance and lasts a lot longer. True, you pay more upfront, but you'll get almost double the life cycle of an AGM. Who can argue with that?
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Need further assistance choosing the best AGM or Lithium battery for your needs? Give one of our product experts a call on 1300 400 122!
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DISCLAIMER* Please note, this advice is general in nature and we strongly recommend consulting the product manual and where relevant, a professional installer.
