How to Run Lithium Batteries for Car Audio?

If you’re looking to upgrade your car sound system, a DIY lithium car audio battery may be the way to go.

Lithium batteries are more powerful and efficient than traditional lead-acid batteries, and they can be a great way to power high-end car audio systems.

To run lithium batteries for car audio, follow these steps:

1. Charge the battery using a dedicated lithium battery charger.
2. Mount the battery in the back of your car using battery brackets and bolts.
3. Connect the positive and negative terminals of the battery to the charge controller using battery cables.
4. Connect the charge controller to the car alternator.
5. Run the amp by connecting the positive and negative terminals of the amp to the positive and negative terminals of the battery.

In this blog post, we’ll show you the complete process of how to install and run a lithium car audio battery.

Why Lithium Batteries for Car Audio?

Lithium-ion batteries are becoming increasingly popular in the scope of car audio, and for good reasons.

Here are the benefits you’ll see running lithium batteries for car audio:

1. They’re much lighter. This is a big advantage if you’re trying to reduce clutter and free up some space in your vehicle.
2. They don’t require as much maintenance. Lead-acid batteries need to be regularly topped up with water, whereas lithium-ion batteries can go for months or even years without requiring any maintenance.
3. They can be quickly recharged, and their amperage stays on the higher side. This means you won’t have to worry about your music sounding faint or distorted.
4. The resistance of lithium car audio batteries stays low and the voltage stays close to that of factory car audio batteries. This is important for ensuring that your car music will sound louder and clearer.
5. They’re more environmentally friendly. Lead-acid batteries contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful to the environment, whereas lithium-ion batteries are much cleaner and safer.

Overall, lithium car audio batteries offer a number of advantages over traditional lead-acid batteries, making them the perfect choice for powering your car audio system.

However, lithium batteries are more expensive than AGM batteries. And if you’re using them with your standard car alternator, they’ll not perform optimally.

DIY Lithium Car Audio Battery Connection Process

Here’s the complete DIY process to run lithium batteries for car audio:

Charge the Battery

Car audio lithium batteries are transported at a 30% charge for safety purposes.

So, the first thing to do when you first get your battery is to charge it with a lithium battery charger before hooking it up to your custom car alternator.

When you buy a lithium car audio battery, you’ll get a charging unit for it.

Mount And Secure the Battery

1. Position the lithium battery in the desired location at the back of your car.
2. Using the appropriate size drill bit, drill four holes into the car’s frame where the battery will be mounted.
3. Insert four hold-down bolts into the holes and tighten them to secure the battery in place.
4. Next, use a ratchet strap to secure the battery in place. Make sure that the strap is tight enough so that the battery can’t move around.
5. Finally, use a wrench to tighten the hold-down bolts. This will ensure that the battery is securely in place.

CAUTION: Don’t install your lithium car audio battery under the hood. While most lithium batteries for car audio operate best under warm conditions (15 to 35), the under-the-hood engine heat can be too much that it degrades performance.

Hook Up the Cables and Run the Amp

1. Connect the positive wire connector of the alternator to the positive terminal of the charge controller.
2. Hook the negative wire connector of the alternator to the negative terminal of the charge controller.
3. Connect the positive wire of the charge controller to the positive terminal of the battery.
4. Hook the negative wire of the charge controller to the negative terminal of the battery.
5. Connect the positive wire of the amp to the positive terminal of the lithium battery.
6. Hook the negative wire of the amp to the negative terminal of the lithium battery.
7. Secure the positive and negative connections to the battery with appropriate-sized nuts.
8. If needed, cover the battery with a battery box or similar enclosure to protect it from the elements.

What Kind of Lithium Battery for Car Audio?             

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best type of lithium battery for car audio will vary depending on the specific audio system that is being used.

However, they’re several commonalities in the lithium car audio battery industry.

Model

Some of the most popular brands of lithium batteries for car audio include Limitless Lithium, Ces, AIMS Power, Ampere Time, Aicipow, Chins, and Xs Power.

Chemistry

LiFePo4 -Lithium iron phosphate works best for car audio, and is the most prevalent chemistry for lithium batteries. Lithium titanate would also make the cut for car audio batteries but are not as common as LiFePO4.

Ratings

The most common types of lithium batteries for car audio are 50 Ah, 100 Ah, and 200 Ah. The higher the Ah rating, the more powerful the battery. The discharge current for car audio lithium batteries is typically 50, 100, or 200 amps.

The ratings you go with depend on the specs of your car’s audio system.

Price

The prices for lithium batteries range depending on the power output that is desired. Lower-powered batteries can be as cheap as $400, while higher-powered ones can cost up to $1000.

If you’re planning for a medium budget, expect to spend between $600-$800 on car audio lithium batteries.

FAQs

Q: If A Car Audio Lithium Battery Is Installed, Does the Agm Battery Need to Be Removed?

AGM batteries use a different charging profile than lithium batteries, so they are not compatible with each other. If you install a lithium battery to entirely run your car, you will need to remove the AGM battery to avoid damaging the lithium battery.

Alternatively, you can use an external voltage regulator to run the two batteries independently.

Q: Should I Upgrade My Stock Alternator When I Install Lithium Batteries for Car Audio?

The stock alternator will work but if the power demand of the battery is high, which will be the case in most situations, it’ll eventually fry. It’s, therefore, recommended to upgrade to a high-output alternator.

Q: Why Do Car Audio Lithium Batteries Need a Dedicated Charge Controller?

Lithium batteries need a dedicated charge controller to ensure that they are charged correctly. Lithium batteries require a constant voltage and constant current to be charged correctly, and a dedicated charge controller will ensure that this is the case.

Q: How Can I Ensure That It’s Safe to Work on My Lithium Car Audio Battery?

When you are working on a car audio system, you should always disconnect the negative connection to the lithium battery. This will help ensure that the system is safe to work on.

Q: What Is the Biggest Disadvantage of Car Audio Lithium Batteries?

The biggest disadvantage of car audio lithium batteries is their high cost. Not only do you have to pay a substantial amount for the battery itself, but you also have to spend additional costs for a standalone charger and charge controller. This can make them quite expensive to use.

The Bottom Line                        

Lithium batteries are a great option for powering car audio systems. They are lightweight, have a decent cycle life, and can be charged quickly.

To install a lithium battery in your car, first, charge it using a dedicated lithium battery charger. Then, mount the battery in the back of your car using battery brackets and bolts.

Next, connect the positive and negative terminals of the battery to the charge controller using battery cables. Finally, connect the charge controller to the car alternator.

Now your car audio system is lithium-powered and ready to go!