The bottom line is LiFePO4 is a very different technology to Lead Acid, therefore it needs charging in a different way. With Lead Acid, what we try to do is fill the batteries to the max as quickly as we can. These batteries last longer if kept almost full but will fight against being fully charged. They become more resistive as they are filled.
If you are upgrading a home battery bank to lithium and you already have a modern charge controller, the process could be as simple as installing the new batteries and flipping a switch. If, however, you are replacing a lead acid/AGM battery with lithium in a vehicle or RV, then you must consider the capabilities of the alternator.
Can you swap lead-acid batteries with lithium-ion batteries?
Yes, you can swap lead-acid batteries with lithium-ion ones in many cases. But, you must check if the system fits the new battery's needs. This includes voltage, charging, and space. The right lithium battery, like LiFePO4 (LFP) or Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (Li-NMC), ensures top performance and life.
What is the difference between lithium ion and lead acid batteries?
Lead acid batteries require a simple constant voltage charge to the battery while lithium ion chargers use 2 phases; constant current and then constant voltage. Unlike lead acid batteries, Lithium-ion batteries have an extremely small capacity loss when sitting unused.
Why is my lead acid battery charging directly from my alternator?
If your lead acid battery was charging directly from your car's alternator, you need to make some changes. Lithium batteries have a low internal resistance. It will demand as much current from the alternator as it can handle, leading to overheating or even burning out of your alternator. Victron did a great video about this:
Can flooded cell lead acid batteries be converted to AGM batteries?
In general there is little to change in a converter between flooded cell lead acid and AGM lead acid batteries. The same charging profiles can be used except for conditioning and equalizing. Most AGM battery manufacturers recommend disabling conditioning and equalizing functions.
Should I buy a lithium-ion battery for a lead acid scooter?
Lithium batteries are a lot more power dense than lead acid or AGM batteries, so this means that a replacement lithium-ion battery of the same capacity will be much smaller than a lead acid battery. So, buying or building a lithium-ion battery for a lead acid scooter is a relatively straightforward affair.