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LiFePo4 marine batteries - best solution or just a pointless desire?

Updated: Apr 28, 2022

Batteries for boats - long-life LiFePo4 batteries


First of all: LifePo4 (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate) is not to be mistaken with Lithium-ion batteries.


The battery must be particularly powerful to provide the optimal power supply for your important devices on the boat, such as navigation systems, interior lighting or the refrigerator. A classic boat starter battery alone is usually not sufficient. Our powerful boat supply batteries with modern lithium iron phosphate technology can help.

Lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) is the safest lithium battery technology on the market.

The rated voltage of the LFP cell is 3.2V. The 12.8V LFP battery therefore consists of 4 cells connected in series, and the 25.6V battery consists of 8 cells connected in series.

- It is possible to connect in series or in parallel with several batteries.

- Contains integrated cell balancing.

- Due to their specifics, these batteries are currently the highest quality solution in marine systems


LiFePO4 (also known as Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries are a huge improvement over lead acid in weight, capacity and shelf life.

The LiFePO4 batteries are the safest type of Lithium batteries as they will not overheat, and even if punctured they will not catch on fire.

The cathode material in LiFePO4 batteries is not hazardous, and so poses no negative health hazards or environmental hazards. Due to the oxygen being bonded tightly to the molecule, there is no danger of the battery erupting into flames like there is with Lithium-Ion. The chemistry is so stable that LiFePO4 batteries will accept a charge from a lead-acid configured battery charger.


The difference between other batteries and LiFePO4:


The advantages over AGM batteries:

Up to 15% higher charging efficiency

Up to 50% lighter than AGM

Longer lifespan – 10 to 20 years

Deeper depth of discharge

While more expensive up front, they make up for the difference over time


Initial Cost Per Life Cycle (EUR/kWh):

AGM – 0.59; LifePo4 – 0.16


AGM batteries are generally recommended to only be discharged to 50% of their capacity to maximize their cycle life. A lithium (LiFePO4) battery, on the other hand, is not affected much by depth of discharge so it boasts a much longer cycle life.

The advantages over ordinary lead-acid batteries are:

- up to 70% smaller dimensions and weight

- does not require full charging (life cycle is extended in this case)

- very high efficiency of 92% (compared to 80% for ordinary)

- there is no sulphation which causes permanent failure


Which boat battery is suitable for my boat?

In addition to the classic wet batteries that have been used for years, as well as gel and AMG batteries, the modern and high-performance LiFePo4 batteries for boats are gaining more and more popularity and attention from numerous boat owners. Batteries with lithium iron phosphate technology offer a number of advantages over standard battery cells :


-enormous efficiency

-advanced battery management system (BMS) that protects the battery from overcharging, undervoltage and excessive temperature

-optionally with Bluetooth interface for mobile query of the battery status

-ultra short loading times

-more power with significantly less weight and size

-longer service life with a very large number of possible charging cycles

-increased safety through integrated control system even under extreme loads

-reliable and consistently stable voltage

Especially in small to medium-sized boats, the batteries are very efficient due to their low weight and small size with the same or even higher energy density. With the LiFePo4 batteries on your boat, you effectively save weight or increase your energy capacity while taking up the same space. The lithium boat batteries are suitable for almost every boat and, depending on the area of ​​application, for many purposes .

If you are unsure which battery is the right one for your boat, please contact our customer service. We look forward to advising you on the choice of your boat battery.












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