Why we use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries
Lithium batteries have become a very popular solution for a variety of electronics. They can be found in many devices from cell phones and laptops to all sorts of electric vehicles and boats. Lithium based batteries are in fact one of the best options to create the required energy for electric motors. But why has ZeroJet chosen to use Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4/ LFP) chemistry batteries?
Battery Chemistry
Not all Lithium based batteries use the same chemistry. Here is a list of the 6 main types of lithium batteries used today:
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)
Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO)
Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO)
Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC)
Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminium Oxide (NCA)
Lithium Titanate (LTO)
The different types of lithium batteries all rely on a unique active material and chemical reactions to store energy. Each type of lithium battery has its benefits and drawbacks, along with its best-suited applications.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)
The Lithium batteries most frequently used in boating are of the LiFePO4 type. They have the great advantage of having a very stable cathode that does not give off any oxygen that could ignite when combined with lithium.
Material used in lithium iron phosphate batteries offer low resistance, making them inherently safe and highly stable, vitally important particularly when you’re using a ZeroJet-powered tender in remote corners of the world in potentially rough and unforgiving seas.
These batteries can handle high temperatures with minimal degradation. They have a long life for applications that have multiple embedded systems like the ZeroJet, or need to run for long lengths of time before needing to be charged. For example in the ZeroJet-powered OC350, you can travel up to 5 hours at low speeds (around 3 knots).
Super B Nomada battery cells
Our choice of battery is the Super B Nomada 12V 105 Ah cells which we install in series to get the required 48V for our system. Offering some of the most superior characteristics in the market, these cells have a lifecycle rating of 3,500 cycles and, unlike lead-acid batteries, the depth of discharge has a minimal impact on their lifespan. Super B rate their batteries to 100% discharging without damaging the batteries. In theory, this allows the user to discharge the batteries every day for nearly 10 years before they would need to consider replacing them.
LiFePO4 batteries are more expensive upfront compared to other battery types, but cheaper long term because they last so long. They cost more upfront because the materials used to build them are more expensive. Super B models offer superior battery performance, and their certifications and warranty offer peace of mind. It is the benefit of years of continuous engineering improvement and proven experience supplying batteries to the harshest environments.
Battery price trends
Prices continue to fall as the adoption of LiFePO4 has increased, and as the market has moved away from the use of nickel-base batteries which contain expensive cobalt. On average, LiFePO4 cells were almost 30% cheaper than NMC cells in 2021, and this downward cost trend for LiFePO4 cells is expected to continue.
