How is it possible that a lithium battery has a capacity (Ah = ampere-hour) equal to about 1/3 compared to a battery equivalent to lead / acid? How is it possible that, despite this lower capacity, its inrush current (AC = Cranking Ampere) is 50% higher than lead acid batteries?
In order to understand these data, shown in the tables and in the graph, the concepts of energy density (Wh / L) and maximum discharge current must be introduced. LiFePO4 batteries have in fact an energy density up to five times higher than equivalent lead / acid batteries.
|
Construction typology |
Lead/Acid |
LiCo (Lithium Cobalt) / Li-Ion |
LiFePO4 BC LITHIUM |
|
Nominal tension |
2,1 | 3,6/3,7 | 3,2 |
|
Energy density [Wh/L] |
Medium | High | High |
|
Specific energy [Wh/Kg] |
Medium | High | High |
|
Discharge rate max. (Discharge rate) [C] |
15 | N.D. | 50 |
| Safety |
Discrete (presence of toxic materials) |
Low (risk of fire and explosions) |
Excellent (no risk of fire / explosion) |
| Life Cycles |
> 400 | > 500 | > 2000 |
| Eco-friendly Product | No | No | Yes |
The result is that, with the same volume occupied, a lithium battery will have up to five times the energy compared to a battery equivalent to lead / acid. Lithium-ion batteries (Li-Ion or LiCo) have an even greater starting point, but in the face of a level of safety not comparable to LiFePO4 technology for automotive applications. In addition, the maximum discharge current of a lithium battery is 50C, therefore fifty times the battery capacity, more than triple that of lead / acid batteries. Therefore, if a motorbike requires a starting current (AC) of 300 A, if with traditional lead / acid batteries it would be necessary to use a battery of at least 20 Ah (15x20), if using a lithium battery a 4 Ah (50x4) battery will suffice.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
