Lead Carbon

Where lead carbon batteries fit on a boat

Lead carbon batteries sit between conventional AGM and lithium in both cost and behaviour: they use a carbon-enhanced negative plate that resists the sulphation which shortens the life of a standard lead-acid battery left at a partial state of charge, which is exactly the condition many boats leave their house bank in over a season. This makes them better suited than AGM to a boat charged mainly by solar or wind, where a full charge is not achieved every day, without the additional wiring, monitoring and higher upfront cost of a lithium conversion.

They remain compatible with standard lead-acid charge voltages, so an existing charger, alternator regulator or MPPT controller set up for AGM will generally suit a lead carbon bank without reprogramming, unlike a lithium swap which usually needs the charging system reviewed. Check the charge voltage settings on existing equipment before switching chemistry, even where a full charger replacement is not needed.