Signs Your Marine Lithium Battery Should Be Replaced

One of the hallmarks of marine lithium batteries is their outstanding longevity compared to standard lead-acid batteries. But even lithium batteries can’t work forever, and sooner or later, they start to display signs of decline.

If your marine lithium battery exhibits any of these signs, it should be replaced.

Sign #1: It Looks (and Smells) Bad

There are often physical signs when a lithium marine battery is severely declining or something is wrong with it. Sometimes, boat owners can tell their battery needs to be replaced simply by looking at it.

Pro Tip: Corrosion is fatal for marine batteries, which is why removing the battery to clean it with a baking soda and water solution frequently can prolong your battery’s lifespan.

Lithium batteries that are no longer usable can contain corroded terminals, be warm or hot to the touch, and even swell in size when used. Some owners even notice a rotten smell coming from their boat and, upon inspection, realize it’s coming from the battery. If your marine lithium battery exhibits any or all of these signs, it should definitely be replaced.

Sign #2: Reduced Power Storage Capacity

There are also signs and deficiencies in the marine battery’s performance that signal decline. Anyone who owns a lithium marine battery 12V knows this battery is famous for its power storage capability compared to a regular lead-acid battery.

But a lithium battery can’t keep up its remarkable performance forever, and when it starts to decline, the power storage capacity is typically the first sign of performance decline. If it feels like you don’t get the same kind of longevity and power storage in your battery as you used to, it may be because your battery is on its last legs.

Sign #3: Higher Self-Discharge Rate

As with its power storage, lithium marine batteries are distinguish for their incredibly low self-discharge rate—giving boat owners more battery power for longer. But, like with the storage capacity, a lithium battery can’t retain its remarkable self-discharge rate forever.

After some years, a lithium battery may exhibit a higher discharge rate, slowly at first but can increase to the point it’s practically unusable. If your lithium battery won’t hold a charge anymore, and the charger seems to be in working order, that’s a sure sign to start looking for a new battery unit.

Now you know some of the biggest warning signs of a lithium battery in decline. If you need to replace your 12v lithium marine battery or have any questions about lithium batteries, don’t hesitate to contact our expert staff at Abyss Battery!