Lithium Life.

[noelex 77]

Lithium crystal ball gazing.

Lithium has a lot advantages over LA, such as faster charging and a more stable higher voltage, etc, but I think for many the cycle life/cost will be the factor that ultimately determines if they should make the switch.

So lets have some predicitions about the life of a typical house bank.

Assume the charging parameters are set appropriately. The batteries are normally maintained between 90-50% with occasional excursions to 100%-20%. The batteries are charged predominantly with a combination of solar / alternator.

The boat is actively cruised for 300 or more days a year in mostly warm climate areas. The batteries are stored outside he engine bay. The batteries are replaced when their capacity is less than 65% of new.

[Wraith_Mac]

Noelex,
There is another very important factor for me at least as a catamaran person and that is weight.
I'm not picky about a kilo here or there but an 800ah@12v or 400AH@24v battery is very heavy in LA, as you would know.
When only 1/2 of that is useable it's a lot of dead weight taking up space.
LiFe tech cuts down the space and weight required by a significant amount and therefore is valuable to me. [I can only speak for myself]
If I even get the same lifespan as golf cart batteries [of which I presently have six] I will consider myself in front and the investment validated.
Any greater lifespan will be a bonus, the longer the lifespan the greater the bonus.
My point is, that it's not only the cost per Kw/h over a projected lifespan that is the single greatest determinant of value for me it's the huge weight/space saving, convenience and safety.
Having said that I also think they'll outlast a set of LAs by a long shot. LOL
I hope I'm around in ten years to see if I'm close and I hope I've underestimated.
Cheers,
Mac