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🇨🇦 Lithium (LiFePO₄) vs Lead-Carbon Solar Batteries – Comparison Guide

Modern solar systems in Canada typically choose between Lead-Carbon (enhanced AGM) and Lithium LiFePO₄. This table compares both technologies across performance, lifespan, charging efficiency, and applications — so you can confidently choose the right chemistry for your solar setup, whether it’s for your home, RV, cabin, or business.

Feature	Lead-Carbon (Enhanced AGM)	Lithium (LiFePO₄)
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Chemistry & Basics	AGM battery enhanced with carbon to reduce sulfation and improve partial-state-of-charge (PSOC) performance. Offers solid reliability for moderate cycling.	Advanced lithium chemistry with built-in Battery Management System (BMS) for protection, communication, and deep-cycling performance.
Usable Depth of Discharge (DoD)	≈65–70% usable	≈80–100% usable (depending on model)
Cycle Life	≈1,500–3,000 cycles	≈3,000–6,000+ cycles
Round-Trip Efficiency	≈85–90%	≈95–99%
Charge Rate	Moderate charge acceptance; good under PSOC operation	Fast charging (up to 1C); high current acceptance
Cold-Weather Performance	Stable in Canadian winters; capacity decreases in extreme cold	Use heated models for sub-zero charging; excellent discharge stability
Maintenance	Maintenance-free and sealed	Maintenance-free with BMS protection
Relative Weight	≈30–60% heavier for the same usable energy	Lightweight and compact; ideal for mobile or space-limited installs
Environmental / Recycling	Established recycling stream; higher material use per kWh	Lower material footprint; no off-gassing; expanding recycling industry
Warranty (typical)	≈2–4 years	≈5–10+ years
Upfront vs Lifetime Cost	Lower upfront investment; medium lifetime cost	Higher upfront cost; lowest lifetime cost per usable kWh
Typical Applications	• Off-grid cabins • Backup power systems • Seasonal RVs or small cottages • Budget-conscious solar banks	• Full-time off-grid homes • RVs, vans, and marine systems • Remote industrial and telecom sites • Daily cycling solar setups
Shop Collections	Shop Lead-Carbon	Shop Lithium (LiFePO₄)

Compare 12V Lithium Batteries

Feature	BB1250H	BB10012H	BB10012iH	SWE 12.8V 100Ah	Victron 12.8V 100Ah	SWE 12.8V 200Ah	BBGC3H	BBGC3iH
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Battery Type	LiFePO₄ Heated	LiFePO₄ Heated	LiFePO₄ Heated (Smart)	LiFePO₄ Heated (Smart)	LiFePO₄ (Integrated BMS)	LiFePO₄ Heated (Smart)	LiFePO₄ Heated	LiFePO₄ Heated (Smart)
Voltage (V)	12	12	12	12.8	12.8	12.8	12	12
Capacity (Ah)	50	100	100	100	100	200	270	270
Cycle Life @ DOD	3,000+ @ 80%	3,000+ @ 80%	3,000+ @ 80%	3,000+ @ 80%	2,500 @ 80%	3,000+ @ 80%	3,000+ @ 80%	3,000+ @ 80%
Heated / Cold Weather	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (below 0 °C)	No (auto cut-off)	Yes (below 0 °C)	Yes	Yes
Smart (Bluetooth)	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
Warranty	10 yrs	10 yrs	10 yrs	3 yrs – CDN Solar warranty center	3 yrs – manufacturer	3 yrs – CDN Solar warranty center	10 yrs	10 yrs
Weight (kg / lb)	10 / 22	14.1 / 31	14.1 / 31	10.5 / 23.1	14 / 30.9	20 / 44.1	36.7 / 80.8	36.7 / 80.8
Dimensions (L×W×H cm)	26.6×18.1×22.7	32.4×17.4×22.7	32.4×17.4×22.7	33×17.2×22.3	33×17.2×22	52.2×24×21.8	58×18×33.4	58×18×33.4
Terminal Type	M8	M8	M8	M8	M8	M8	M10	M10
Series / Parallel	Up to 48 V series / unlimited parallel	Up to 48 V series / unlimited parallel	Up to 48 V series / unlimited parallel	Up to 4 in series / unlimited parallel	Parallel only	Up to 4 in series / unlimited parallel	Up to 48 V series / unlimited parallel	Up to 48 V series / unlimited parallel
Applications	Portable solar kits, small RVs	RVs, boats, off-grid cabins	RVs, off-grid with Bluetooth	RVs, boats, off-grid systems	Off-grid, marine, camper systems	Off-grid homes, solar banks	Large RVs, van conversions	Off-grid cabins with Bluetooth
Product Link	BB1250H	BB10012H	BB10012iH	SWE 100 Ah	Victron 100Ah	SWE 200 Ah	BBGC3H	BBGC3iH

Note: Switch Energy batteries include a 3-year warranty, handled directly through CDN Solar. We are the authorized warranty center, so if any issue were to arise, we would test the unit on-site and provide a full replacement if required. This battery uses the same grade of lithium cells as top brands such as Battle Born, offering excellent reliability, long cycle life, and consistent performance at a more economical price point.

Compare 48V Lithium Batteries

Feature	Volthium 51.2 V 100 Ah (8D)	Pytes E-BOX-48100R-B	Pytes V5 (51.2 V 100 Ah)	GSL 51.2 V 280 Ah (14.34 kWh)
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Battery Type	LiFePO₄ (8D Case, Floor/Stack Mount)	LiFePO₄ (Rack/Wall)	LiFePO₄ (Rack Module)	LiFePO₄ (Wall Pack)
Voltage (V)	51.2	51.2	51.2	51.2
Capacity (Ah)	100	100	100	280
Energy (kWh)	5.12	5.12	5.12	14.34 (12.91 usable)
Cycle Life @ DOD	≥ 6000 @ 80 %	≥ 6000 @ 90 %	≥ 6000 @ 90 %	≥ 8500 @ 80 %
Heated / Cold Weather	Optional heated version available	—	Yes (integrated heater)	—
Smart (Bluetooth)	RS485 / CANBUS (Bluetooth optional)	No (wired comms)	Yes (Bluetooth + RS485/CAN)	No (wired comms)
Warranty	10 yrs (limited)	10 yrs (limited)	10 yrs (limited)	10 yrs (limited)
Weight (kg / lb)	≈ 47.2 / 104	≈ 51 / 112.5	≈ 44 / 97	≈ 128.5 / 283
Dimensions (W × H × D)	52 × 26.8 × 24.4 cm (20.5 × 10.5 × 9.6 in)	48.3 × 66 × 11.7 cm (19.0 × 26.0 × 4.6 in)	48.3 × 53.1 × 14 cm (19.0 × 20.9 × 5.5 in)	67.5 × 90 × 20 cm (26.6 × 35.4 × 7.9 in)
Terminal / Connection	M8 terminals / front access	Rack power connector (no M-posts)	Rack busbars / front terminals	Integrated wall-pack connectors
Series / Parallel	Parallel up to 16 units (expandable)	Parallel up to 8 modules (~41 kWh)	Parallel up to 16 modules (Hub expands)	Parallel up to 16 modules (~229 kWh)
Applications	Residential & commercial solar storage, off-grid systems, telecom and marine	Home & business energy storage, backup power, telecom systems	Home & business solar battery system for high-power or cold weather use	Whole-home and commercial storage for large or high-demand systems
Product Link	Volthium 51.2 V 100 Ah	Pytes 48100R-B	Pytes V5	GSL 51.2 V 280 Ah