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

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We not too long ago received to assessment 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 swap, however does Siekon’s tackle lithium batteries pan out? Learn on to seek 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 a substitute of being made to supply a fast burst of energy to start out a automotive’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 might explode if not correctly ventilated, throwing acid all over the place. Leaks, dropping them, or an accident can break them open, letting harmful acid circulate out or begin a hearth. Even worse, some folks intentionally misuse the acid in batteries for awful disfiguring assaults.

One other drawback is sturdiness. In some instances, a lead-acid battery may final 5–7 years. I’ve a automotive battery that did that not too long ago in a automotive that we don’t drive a lot. However, normally, you’ll get 2–3 years out of a automotive battery or deep cycle battery. In excessive situations 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 need to get as a lot life out of them as you’ll be able to since you need to postpone that $50–200 buy for so long as attainable. Lead-acid batteries begin to degrade closely while you run them beneath about 50%, so regardless of the capability of the battery is, you need to solely use about half of that. Not utilizing a heavy metallic (lead) within the battery design saves numerous weight, too.

Siekon’s Answer To This

Siekon’s 12.8-volt lithium deep cycle battery takes this to the subsequent stage by providing a LiFePO4 chemistry, also called LFP. LFP batteries are extra sturdy than different chemistries, could be left at 100% with out further degradation, and are extraordinarily unlikely to catch fireplace. In truth, an increasing number of electrical vehicles 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 an alternative 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 robotically double your obtainable power storage with out having to purchase extra batteries. Plus, there’s principally 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 current 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 you’ll want 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 value 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 which you can get 2–4 occasions as a lot good out of those batteries than an old-school one. So, even at a larger price, they’re clearly the higher deal.

In our testing, it labored nicely. Utilizing an influence inverter, we powered all kinds of instruments and units, and had no issues in any way. So, should you’re on the lookout for an honest battery at a superb worth, this one ought to match the invoice.

It’s not simply us who thinks Siekon makes an honest battery, both. In different opinions, they’ve been discovered to work nicely, have the marketed capability, and be constructed internally to face up to the form of use we count on deep cycle batteries to endure. Moderately 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.