24 volt lithium battery: same power, half the current
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Quick answer
A 24 V LiFePO4 battery (25.6 V nominal) delivers the same watts as 12 V at half the current, so cables run cooler and smaller for big inverters. LiTime's 24V 100Ah stores 2,560 Wh, weighs 44.09 lb and charges at 28.8 V. Battle Born's 24V 50Ah stores 1,280 Wh at 31 lb and charges at 28.4 to 29.2 V. Use a charger with a 24 V lithium profile, such as Victron's 24 V Blue Smart chargers at 28.4 V, and check the case size against your battery box.
Why choose 24 V over 12 V
Power is volts times amps, so doubling the voltage halves the current for the same load. For a 2,000 W inverter load:
- 12.8 V battery: 2,000 / 12.8 = about 156 A.
- 25.6 V battery: 2,000 / 25.6 = about 78 A.
Lower current means less heat in cables and connections and allows smaller wire for the same run, which is a reason larger RV, off-grid and trolling-motor systems can use 24 V. A small 12 V system with 12 V appliances, such as a car fridge or 12 V lights, is usually simpler to leave at 12 V. Pick the voltage your inverter, charge controller and loads are built for.
Two 24 V batteries compared
| Spec | LiTime 24V 100Ah Group 31 RV | Battle Born 24V 50Ah |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal voltage | 25.6 V | 24 V |
| Capacity / energy | 100 Ah / 2,560 Wh | 50 Ah / about 1,280 Wh |
| Charge voltage | 28.8 V ± 0.4 V | 28.4 to 29.2 V |
| Float | Not listed | 26.8 to 27.6 V |
| Continuous discharge | 100 A BMS (2,560 W) | Not listed on product page |
| Cycle rating | 6,000 at 100% depth of discharge | 3,000 to 5,000 |
| Size | 13.11 x 6.93 x 9.45 in | 12.76 x 6.86 x 8.95 in |
| Weight | 44.09 lb | 31 lb |
| Expansion | Up to 4 in parallel, 2 in series | Up to 48 V in series |
| Extras | Bluetooth, low-temperature protection, IP65, 5-year warranty | 2 to 3% self-discharge per month |
Energy per pound works out to about 58 Wh/lb for the LiTime 100Ah and about 41 Wh/lb for the Battle Born 50Ah. LiTime also sells a 24V 50Ah in a Group 24 case at 21.15 lb.
Charging a 24 V lithium bank
A 24 V LiFePO4 battery needs a charger or solar controller set for 24 V lithium, not a 12 V charger or a lead-acid profile. Match the battery's numbers:
- LiTime lists CC/CV charging at 28.8 V ± 0.4 V and a recommended 20 A charge current; its BMS accepts up to 100 A.
- Battle Born lists 28.4 to 29.2 V charging and 26.8 to 27.6 V float.
- Victron's 24 V Blue Smart IP65 chargers (5, 8 and 13 A) use 28.4 V absorption and 27.0 V storage in Li-ion mode, with no float stage and no temperature compensation.
At LiTime's recommended 20 A, refilling 100 Ah from empty takes about 5 hours (100 / 20) plus a short absorption phase. Victron rates its 24/13 for batteries up to 130 Ah, so it fits a single 100 Ah battery.
LiTime lists charging only between 32 and 122°F, and its low-temperature protection stops charging below that.
One 24 V battery or two 12 V in series?
Two matched 12 V batteries in series also make 24 V. A single 24 V battery avoids balancing two units and needs fewer connections. The makers' limits still apply when you build a bigger bank:
- LiTime allows up to 4 in parallel and 2 in series (4P2S) for this model, so two in series make a 48 V bank.
- Battle Born lists a 48 V maximum series voltage for its 24 V battery.
Build any bank from identical batteries of the same model, as both makers' expansion limits assume.
Fit and safety
- Box fit: LiTime says its 24V 100Ah fits LiTime Group 31 RV trays, but standard Group 31 battery boxes are typically not large enough. Measure before buying.
- Fusing: install a fuse or breaker rated for your system close to the battery positive terminal; at about 78 A for a 2,000 W load, cable and fuse sizing matter.
- Temperature: LiTime lists discharge from -4 to 140°F and storage from 14 to 122°F.
- Installation: have connections to an RV, boat or home system checked by a qualified installer.
What to look for when you buy
High-capacity 24 V example: LiTime 24V 100Ah Group 31 RV
Best for: RV and off-grid systems running 2,000 W class inverters
LiTime lists 2,560 Wh, a 100 A BMS, 6,000 cycles at 100% DOD, Bluetooth, low-temperature charge protection, IP65 and a 5-year warranty.
Watch out: 44.09 lb and larger than standard Group 31 boxes. Charge at 28.8 V ± 0.4 V.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Compact 24 V example: Battle Born 24V 50Ah
Best for: Smaller 24 V systems and trolling setups that need a familiar case size
Battle Born lists 50 Ah at 24 V in a 12.76 x 6.86 x 8.95 in Group 27/31 case, 3,000 to 5,000 cycles and 28.4 to 29.2 V charging.
Watch out: Half the capacity of the LiTime 100Ah; continuous discharge rating not shown on the product page.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Matching charger: Victron Blue Smart IP65 24/13
Best for: Wall charging a single 24 V lithium battery up to 130 Ah
Victron lists a Li-ion mode at 28.4 V absorption and 27.0 V storage, 13 A output and app control on its 24 V IP65 charger.
Watch out: Too small for large banks; never use its recondition stage on lithium.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- Is a 24V lithium battery better than 12V?
- For large loads, yes: it supplies the same watts at half the current, about 78 A instead of 156 A for 2,000 W. For small 12 V gear, 12 V is simpler.
- What voltage do you charge a 24V lithium battery to?
- Follow the battery: LiTime lists 28.8 V ± 0.4 V and Battle Born 28.4 to 29.2 V. Victron's 24 V chargers use 28.4 V in Li-ion mode.
- How many watt-hours is a 24V 100Ah battery?
- About 2,560 Wh at LiTime's 25.6 V nominal (25.6 x 100).
- Can I put two 24V lithium batteries in series?
- LiTime allows 2 in series for this model and Battle Born lists a 48 V series maximum; use identical batteries.
Sources
- 24V 100Ah Group 31 LiFePO4 RV battery: specs and FAQ, LiTime
- 50Ah 24V LiFePO4 deep cycle battery: specs, Battle Born Batteries
- Blue Smart IP65 Charger 120V manual: 24 V model specifications, Victron Energy