12 volt Lithium Battery vs. 12 volt Lead Acid Battery

[bc1]

Hello guys. Thought I'd ask here since we have some battery experts in house. Looks like the 12 volt auxiliary battery on my 2013 Prius has crapped out with the low temperatures. In looking for a replacement I see where they sell what they call a Lithium 12 volt battery. Just wondering what anyone thought of these?

I don't know how old my battery is but don't remember replacing it in the last 5 or 6 years. I've bot the Yellow top Optima for our prior 2008 Prius one time. I'd probably have to order the Lithium online unless someone locally has it but its numbers are a lot better. On the other hand I plan to sell the Prius as soon as I put new brakes on it and clean it up whenever it warms up and I have time which has been the plan for over 3 months now. Thanks.

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[K6CCC]

On the other hand I plan to sell the Prius as soon as I put new brakes on it and clean it up whenever it warms up and I have time which has been the plan for over 3 months now. Thanks.

In that case, buy the cheapest battery that will work. No point in putting in an expensive battery into a vehicle you are selling in a few months.

 

[Tom Jensen]

In that case, buy the cheapest battery that will work. No point in putting in an expensive battery into a vehicle you are selling in a few months.

Lithium 12 volt batteries are great, very light and compact compared to any variety of lead acid battery. But they’re an investment. I use Dakota Lithium batteries for boats and back-up power and love them. But they’re a premium product for the time being.

 

[Rtashiro]

Are there any 12 volt lithium equivalents that anyone has used in the lightning?

 

[Mach Turtle]

Are there any 12 volt lithium equivalents that anyone has used in the lightning?

There are threads such as the following:
https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/ohmmu-na-ion-do-not-buy.34022/
Some folks like 'em, others don't.

I personally prefer to keep the AGM battery rather than spending a bunch on something more expensive and potentially troublesome to lighten the vehicle by around half a percent. However, AGMs aren't without their problems too, and for some uses lithium 12V probably makes sense.

I wonder if anyone has tried possible NiMH options?

 

[TaxmanHog]

Are there any 12 volt lithium equivalents that anyone has used in the lightning?

Did you replace your 12v with an Ohmmu ?

 

[RLXXI]

I've had a lithium battery in my motorcycle since 2012. Still cranks the bike like new to this day. Different type of battery than recommended for our trucks though.

At this point in time with current events surrounding the LVB in our trucks, it's safe to say stick with oem type (agm) for the time being.

 

[Rtashiro]

Did you replace your 12v with an Ohmmu ?

Still factory battery which I’m gonna have the dealer test at the end of the month while still on warranty

 

[The Weatherman]

I replaced my original battery with an OHMMU a couple of months ago.

I have been totally satisfied so far.

It was about $150 more than a comparable AGM.

 

[mr.Magoo]

So, I've been sceptical about Ohmmu for a while, primarily because people are "too happy" about it, and everytime there's something negative said about it it's the same people is coming to it's rescue / defences - why ? - I mean, if it works for you, great, but why do you feel the need to defend a company that you're not affilliated with, time and time again ?


Early versions were garbage:


Supposedly they've addressed a lot of the issues, but I just watched the "How Ohmmus are built video" and....
How are they built:


The modules appear to be these:
https://www.lifepo4-battery.com/Products/LiFePO4-Battery-Cell/gotion-40ah-lifepo4-battery-cell.html

The BMS is this:
https://jiabaida-bms.com/products/j...-or-switch-function-support-series-connection


One thing that stands out is that while they're talking about the heater, it seems like they're putting the temperature sensor on the heating element itself which seems pretty darn dumb.
And why is the element at the end and not between the cells / modules.


So, my personal opinion remains, Ohmmu (lithium based) might work in warm(non freezing climates) but I would stay away from them if you live in colder climates.

 

[bc1]

So, my personal opinion remains, Ohmmu (lithium based) might work in warm(non freezing climates) but I would stay away from them if you live in colder climates.

Quincy, Waldo hasn't had a chance to go through the videos but what is it exactly that cold climates would do to the battery and what about Kansas, in your opinion, which is in the middle of the climates? Just wondering what to do or avoid during the winter. Do they take the high heat better than lead acid? Thanks for your expertise.

 

[mr.Magoo]

Quincy, Waldo hasn't had a chance to go through the videos but what is it exactly that cold climates would do to the battery and what about Kansas, in your opinion, which is in the middle of the climates? Just wondering what to do or avoid during the winter. Do they take the high heat better than lead acid? Thanks for your expertise.

As for your Prius I agree with everyone else, just get the cheapest battery that's of the same type/size as the one you have right now.



As for the rest....

I'm by no means an expert, all I know is that charging Lithium batteries in cold weather is a big no-no as it can result in lithium plating and will essentially destroy the battery.

So, some manufacturers put a temp sensor on the battery to prevent it from being charged when it's cold out, great, the battery won't be damaged, but it won't charge either, so eventually you'll run out of juice. (This is what Ohmmu did early on)

The next upgrade is to put a heater in/on the battery.
In the Lightning they heat the coolant/fluid that circulates through the pack so the packs are evenly heated (and cooled).

In the case of Ohmmu it looks like they slapped a resistive element on the end, which is bad to begin with as it won't heat it evenly, maybe, just maybe, do they have heating elements on all four sides and inbetween the cells, and in that case I suppose it isn't so bad, but I'm kind of sceptical that they do.

What's worse is that it looks like they placed the temp-probe onto the heater itself, so the sensor will heat up much faster than the actual pack, enabling charging too soon / when the pack is still cold.
This video shows the issue (it's not an Ohmmu battery by the looks of things, but the construction is similar).

 

[The Weatherman]

So, I've been sceptical about Ohmmu for a while, primarily because people are "too happy" about it, and everytime there's something negative said about it it's the same people is coming to it's rescue / defences - why ? - I mean, if it works for you, great, but why do you feel the need to defend a company that you're not affilliated with, time and time again ?


Early versions were garbage:


Supposedly they've addressed a lot of the issues, but I just watched the "How Ohmmus are built video" and....
How are they built:


The modules appear to be these:
https://www.lifepo4-battery.com/Products/LiFePO4-Battery-Cell/gotion-40ah-lifepo4-battery-cell.html

The BMS is this:
https://jiabaida-bms.com/products/j...-or-switch-function-support-series-connection


One thing that stands out is that while they're talking about the heater, it seems like they're putting the temperature sensor on the heating element itself which seems pretty darn dumb.
And why is the element at the end and not between the cells / modules.


So, my personal opinion remains, Ohmmu (lithium based) might work in warm(non freezing climates) but I would stay away from them if you live in colder climates.

Somebody with first hand experience has to counter negative BS being spouted.

Unless you have first hand knowledge, I’ld suggest you be skeptical of the AI and YouTube posts. A lot of that is all about the clicks.

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