Siekon Deep Cycle 12V Lithium Battery Evaluation – CleanTechnica – TechnoNews

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We just lately bought to overview a brand new lithium deep cycle battery from Siekon, an organization we haven’t labored with earlier than. As with many different lithium batteries, there are some severe advantages to creating the change, however does Siekon’s tackle lithium batteries pan out? Learn on to search out out!

What’s a “Deep Cycle” Battery, Anyway?

Have you ever ever stayed in an RV or journey trailer? Have you ever ever used a quiet and environment friendly trolling motor on a fishing boat? You’ve used a deep cycle battery!

This type of modular, standardized battery has been round for many years, with most batteries up to now utilizing a less expensive lead-acid battery chemistry, like what you’d discover in an ICE automobile’s 12V battery. However, as an alternative of being made to supply a fast burst of energy to begin a automobile’s engine, deep cycle batteries are designed for lower-power use over hours or days.

Why Lithium’s A Worthwhile Improve

There are some severe downsides to old-school lead-acid batteries.

First off, they could be a little harmful. They emit hydrogen fuel and may explode if not correctly ventilated, throwing acid all over the place. Leaks, dropping them, or an accident can break them open, letting harmful acid move out or begin a fireplace. Even worse, some folks intentionally misuse the acid in batteries for horrible disfiguring assaults.

One other downside is sturdiness. In some instances, a lead-acid battery would possibly final 5–7 years. I’ve a automobile battery that did that just lately in a automobile that we don’t drive a lot. However, usually, you’ll get 2–3 years out of a automobile battery or deep cycle battery. In excessive circumstances or in poor storage environments, some folks purchase a brand new lead-acid battery yearly when the subsequent RV or fishing season begins.

Capability and weight are additionally points. Lead-acid batteries are pretty low cost, however you continue to wish to get as a lot life out of them as you possibly can since you wish to delay that $50–200 buy for so long as potential. Lead-acid batteries begin to degrade closely whenever you run them under about 50%, so regardless of the capability of the battery is, you wish to solely use about half of that. Not utilizing a heavy steel (lead) within the battery design saves plenty of weight, too.

Siekon’s Resolution To This

Siekon’s 12.8-volt lithium deep cycle battery takes this to the subsequent degree by providing a LiFePO4 chemistry, also referred to as LFP. LFP batteries are extra sturdy than different chemistries, may be left at 100% with out further degradation, and are extraordinarily unlikely to catch hearth. In actual fact, an increasing number of electrical automobiles use LFP batteries for these causes, and since they’re cheaper.

Which means that about the entire issues older lead-acid batteries endure from are solved. As a substitute of lasting a season or two, a ship or RV with these batteries can final for years. Without having to maintain the batteries above 50%, you routinely double your obtainable power storage with out having to purchase extra batteries. Plus, there’s mainly no hazard of outgassing, fires, or acid leaks.

As a result of it’s 12.8 volts, this battery is ready to plug proper into any present 12V battery system. You don’t want any particular cost controllers, adapters, or DC–DC chargers. Merely take away the previous lead-acid battery or batteries and wire these into the system. If you wish to use a number of batteries collectively, simply make sure to get all of them to the identical voltage earlier than connecting them collectively and comply with all advisories within the battery’s documentation.

The worth can be fairly good. Whereas dearer than a lead-acid deep cycle battery ($229 as of this writing, $279 usually), the elevated sturdiness and the additional usable capability means that you may get 2–4 instances as a lot good out of those batteries than an old-school one. So, even at a better value, they’re clearly the higher deal.

In our testing, it labored nicely. Utilizing an influence inverter, we powered all types of instruments and units, and had no issues by any means. So, should you’re in search of a good battery at value, this one ought to match the invoice.

It’s not simply us who thinks Siekon makes a good battery, both. In different opinions, they’ve been discovered to work nicely, have the marketed capability, and be constructed internally to resist the type of use we anticipate deep cycle batteries to endure. Somewhat than rehash all of that right here, right here’s a video from the DIY Photo voltaic Energy with Will Prowse YouTube channel:

Featured picture by Jennifer Sensiba.

Article by Jennifer Sensiba, sponsored by Siekon.