Battery Guides

Battery Basics

How LiFePO4 works, what the ratings mean and how to compare batteries.

About these guides

Lithium iron phosphate, written LiFePO4, is the chemistry behind every Epoch battery. It is chosen for deep-cycle work because it holds its voltage under load, tolerates thousands of charge cycles and stays chemically stable at the temperatures batteries actually see in a boat, a camper or a garage. The guides in this section start from first principles: what a cell is, how cells become a 12V, 24V or 48V battery, and why a LiFePO4 pack weighs about half of a lead-acid battery with the same usable capacity.

They also decode the numbers on a specification sheet. Amp-hours, watt-hours, C-rates and cycle life are simple once you have seen them worked through, and knowing them is what lets you compare two batteries fairly instead of by price alone. Comparison guides put LiFePO4 next to AGM, flooded lead-acid and other lithium-ion chemistries so the differences in lifespan, weight, depth of discharge and total cost of ownership are laid out plainly.

The section closes with care: how to store a lithium battery over winter, what accelerates wear and which everyday habits extend service life. Read these first if you are still deciding whether lithium is right for you.

Who this is for: For readers who are new to lithium and want to understand the chemistry, the specifications and the trade-offs before they compare products.

Start with these guides

The foundational reading for battery basics.

  • LiFePO4 Batteries

    Battery BasicsUpdated 2 min read

    The Benefits of LiFePO4 Lithium Batteries

    LiFePO4 batteries, also known as LFP batteries, are dominating the battery industry. These batteries are composed of lithium iron phosphate, distinguishing them from other types like Lithium Cobalt Oxide or Lithium Manganese Oxide.

    By Stephen Davenport

  • Amps, Volts, Watts

    Battery BasicsUpdated 4 min read

    What are Amps, Volts and Watts?

    Let's imagine electricity like water in a garden hose. Here's how we can think about it: Amps (Amperes) are like the amount of water that flows through the hose. More water means more amps. Volts are like the pressure of the water in the hose. Higher pressure means the water can travel further and with more force. Ohms are like how narrow or wide the hose is. A narrow hose makes it harder for water to pass through, which is like having more resistance.

    By Stephen Davenport

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