Lithium batteries and lead-acid batteries differ significantly in a number of ways.
Composition and properties
The main component of lithium batteries is lithium, which is usually a black platinum crystal with a blue surface. The main components of lead-acid batteries are zinc, manganese, etc., which are usually made of stainless steel or glass and have a black surface.
Ecological compatibility
Lithium batteries are relatively environmentally friendly and do not contain harmful metals, so they are not subject to certain transportation regulations. However, lead-acid batteries contain the heavy metal lead, so there is a problem of heavy metal pollution.
Security
The material safety of lithium power batteries (e.g., manganese oxide, lithium iron phosphate) varies depending on the type. In contrast, lead-acid battery technology is quite mature, so it may be higher than some lithium batteries in terms of safety.
Specific Energy and Energy Density
Lithium batteries are higher than lead-acid batteries in terms of mass ratio and volume ratio capacity, about 40% higher. This means that lithium batteries can store more energy for the same weight or volume.
Price
Generally, the price of lithium batteries with the same capacity is more than twice that of lead-acid batteries.
Service life and self-discharge rate
The lifespan of lithium batteries is usually longer, especially for lithium iron phosphate lithium batteries, the amount of charging and discharging time can reach about 1500 times, while lead-acid batteries can reach about 500 times. In addition, the monthly self-discharge rate of lithium batteries is less than 3%, while the self-discharge rate of lead-acid batteries is 15~30%.
Discharge Characteristics
With the same capacity, when discharged with a high current, lithium batteries can emit about 30% more electricity than lead-acid batteries.
Tension Platform
The operating voltage of lithium batteries is usually higher, usually more than 3V, while the voltage of lead-acid batteries is 2V.
In addition to the above main differences, lead-acid batteries also have some other characteristics, such as good protective sealing, no free acid, having a ventilation system, no water replenishment, easy maintenance, long service life, good high discharge performance power, etc.
To sum up, there are significant differences between lithium batteries and lead-acid batteries in terms of composition, environmental protection, safety, energy density, price, lifespan, self-discharge rate, discharge performance, and voltage platform. The choice of battery depends on the specific application scenario and needs.