How Long Will a 24V 200Ah Battery Last

24V 200Ah batteries or battery packs are able to store plenty of energy and release it when required. Such batteries are commonly used in off-the-grid applications, as RV house batteries, for electric vehicles, as inverter batteries, as trolling motor batteries, and similar.

24V 200Ah lead-acid batteries are rare - they are usually custom ordered or more commonly created by simply connecting two 12V 200Ah lead-acid batteries in series. On the other hand, 24V 200Ah lithium batteries are available on the market, they are lighter, support a larger number of charging and discharging cycles and while initially costing more than lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries in the long run actually save the money.

Updated: September 24, 2024.

Lead-Acid vs Lithium Deep Cycle Batteries

The main advantages of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries over lead-acid batteries are:

• lithium batteries are much lighter, initially 2-3x lighter. However, since lithium batteries don't suffer from capacity loss when being discharged by stronger currents, lithium batteries are actually 3-5x lighter than lead-acid batteries when being discharged with 0.5C or stronger currents.
• lithium batteries support a much larger number of charging/discharging cycles, often 2000-3000 100% DoD cycles vs 180-300 100% DoD cycles of lead-acid batteries.
• lithium batteries accept charge much better than lead-acid batteries and often can be recharged using 1C currents, although 0.2-0.5C currents are generally recommended.
• lithium batteries feature the built-in Battery Management System which protects the battery from various events that may harm the battery, like high/low voltage, high/low temperature, short circuit, and similar.
• lithium batteries are true maintenance-free and spill-proof batteries that can be mounted in any position.

On the other hand, lithium batteries have a few issues as well:

• lithium batteries are sensitive to parallel/series connections and must be connected only if explicitly allowed by the manufacturer and as recommended by the manufacturer.
• lithium batteries are sensitive to strong currents and if the battery current reaches its limit, BMS will disconnect the battery - it will protect the battery, but the load will be left without the power.
• lithium batteries are somewhat more sensitive to high/low temperatures than lead-acid batteries.
• lithium batteries should be recharged using lithium battery chargers, lithium battery charge controllers, or using charge controllers that don't spike the charging voltage above the upper limit of the battery. Or as recommended by each battery manufacturer individually.

Lead-Acid 12V 200Ah Batteries

Lead-acid 12V 200Ah batteries are mostly BCI Group 4D or BCI group 8D batteries, featuring a nominal voltage of 12V and a nominal capacity of 200 to 350 Ah.

In order to create a 24V 200Ah lead-acid battery, two 12V 200Ah batteries should be connected in series - when connecting such batteries in series, always use the very same battery models from the same manufacturer, preferably from the same batch.

Also, in order to create 24V 200Ah lead-acid batteries, it is possible to use four (4) 12V 100Ah lead-acid batteries and connected them in a 2S2P configuration.

But, in order to keep things as simple as possible, it is recommended to use two (2) 12V 200Ah batteries.

For more about 12V 100Ah lead-acid batteries, feel free to check the Best Group 31 Batteries article.

The following comparison tablet lists some of the most popular BCI Group 4D, 6D, and 8D batteries:

Just like any other deep-cycle lead-acid battery, when the BCI group 8D batteries are being discharged with 1C current, their actual capacity drops down to 50-70% of their nominal capacity - this value is different for each battery and must be checked individually.

 Lithium 24V 200Ah Batteries

Lithium 24V 200Ah batteries are offered by several manufacturers, but they can also be created by connecting in series and/or parallel smaller lithium batteries, for example, 12V 100Ah, 12V 200Ah, 24V 100Ah, and similar.

Personally, keep things as simple as possible, and if You need a 24V 200Ah lithium battery or battery pack, go either for a single 24V 200Ah lithium battery or as few as possible smaller lithium batteries.

The following comparison table lists some of the most popular 12V, 24V, 36V, and 48V 200Ah lithium batteries:

4D vs 6D Battery Sizes: BCI Battery 4D group features maximum dimensions of 20.75 x 8.75 x 9.875 inches (527 x 222 x 250 mm), while the BCI Battery 6D group features maximum dimensions of 20.75 x 10 x 10.25 (527 x 254 x 260 mm) - most of the 200Ah lithium batteries are labeled as 4D batteries, but they are somewhat wider and technically belong to the 6D group.

When being discharged with 0.5-1.0C discharge currents, lithium deep cycle batteries don't suffer from capacity loss, or at least nothing comparable to lead-acid batteries.

So, how long will 24V 200Ah lead-acid and lithium batteries last?

Renogy 12V 200Ah AGM (RNG-BATT-AGM12-200) Deep Cycle Battery vs. Chins 24V 200Ah LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery

In this example, we will compare two very popular 200Ah batteries, 12V 200Ah Renogy AGM battery and Chins 24V 200Ah LiFePO4 battery.

In order to create a 24V 200Ah battery pack, the user needs two 12V 200Ah Renogy AGM batteries connected in series - such battery pack weighs 258 pounds (117 kg), while single CHINS 24V 200Ah battery weighs 97.1 pounds (44 kg).

The nominal (20h) capacity of the Renogy 12V 200Ah battery is 200Ah, but it drops depending on the discharge rate:

• 5h Capacity (77°F, 25°C, 10.5V): 172.2 Ah (34.44 Amps),
• 3h Capacity (77°F, 25°C, 10.5V): 152.9 Ah (50.96 Amps),
• 2h Capacity (77°F, 25°C, 10.5V): 130.9 Ah (65.45 Amps),
• 1h Capacity (77°F, 25°C, 10.5V): 110.0 Ah (110 Amps).

On the other hand, it is safe to assume that the capacity of the lithium batteries is practically the same, when the discharge rate is 1C or less - in this case, 200Ah.

So, if these two batteries have to power two same loads, they will last:

As the battery load is decreased, the difference between lead-acid batteries also decreases.

However, note that the lithium batteries hold their voltage more constant than the lead-acid batteries, which is very important when calculating constant power discharge rates and not constant current discharge rates as given in this table.

When calculating how long will 24V 200Ah battery last, the best thing to do is to check constant power/current discharge charts/graphs of each individual battery, if provided by the manufacturer.

But, in general, as long as the discharge current is lower than the maximum discharge current of the lithium batteries, lithium batteries will be much better performers than lead-acid batteries.

Only in situations where discharge currents are stronger than the maximum discharge currents of lithium batteries, lead-acid batteries will operate for some time (they will not operate for a long time, but they will work), while lithium batteries will be disconnected by their internal BMS.

So, if You are looking for a 24V 200Ah battery, go for a good 24V 200Ah battery if the discharge currents are below the upper battery's limits.

For the most up-to-date offers and prices, feel free to check Renogy 12V 200Ah AGM (RNG-BATT-AGM12-200) Deep Cycle Battery and Chins 24V 200Ah LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery Amazon links (links open in the new windows).

Note: Always charge lithium batteries using lithium battery chargers or charge controllers - it's better safe than sorry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some of the most common Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about 24V 200Ah and similar lead-acid and lithium deep discharge batteries.

How Long Will a 24V 200Ah Battery Last on a Single Charge?

A 24V 200Ah battery has a total energy capacity of 4800 watt-hours (Wh), calculated by multiplying the voltage (24V) by the ampere-hours (200Ah). The duration the battery will last on a single charge depends on the load connected to it.

For example, if you're running a device that consumes 480 watts, the battery would theoretically last for 10 hours (4800Wh ÷ 480W = 10 hours).

Keep in mind that factors like the efficiency of connected devices, battery energy efficiency, battery type (lead-acid, lithium), battery age, and discharge rates affect the actual runtime.

How Does Load Affect the Lifespan of a 24V 200Ah Battery?

The load applied to a 24V 200Ah battery directly impacts its lifespan, and this effect differs between lead-acid and LiFePO₄ batteries.

In lead-acid batteries, higher loads cause deeper discharges, which accelerate sulfation—a process that diminishes battery capacity and shortens lifespan. These batteries perform optimally when kept above a 50% state of charge.

Conversely, LiFePO₄ batteries are more resilient to heavy loads and can handle deeper discharges (up to 80-90%) without significantly affecting their longevity. Also, as the discharge currents approach 1C, the capacity of the LiFePO4 batteries doesn't decrease, at least not as the capacity of the lead-acid batteries.

Therefore, while increased load can reduce the lifespan of both types, LiFePO₄ batteries are better suited to handle higher loads without substantial degradation.

Can a 24V 200Ah Battery Support an Off-Grid Solar System?

Yes, a 24V 200Ah battery can support an off-grid solar system. This battery has an energy storage capacity of 4.8 kilowatt-hours (kWh), calculated by multiplying the voltage (24V) by the capacity (200Ah).

It can store the energy generated by solar panels during the day for use at night or during periods of low sunlight.

However, whether this battery is sufficient depends on your specific energy consumption needs. If your daily energy usage is within the battery's capacity, it can effectively power your off-grid system.

For higher energy demands, you may need to connect multiple batteries in series and/or parallel or consider a battery with a larger capacity.

What Are the Best Practices for Charging a 24V 200Ah Battery?

To properly charge a 24V 200Ah battery, it's important to use a charger that matches both the voltage and the battery chemistry—be it lead-acid or LiFePO₄.

Follow the manufacturer's recommended charging rates: for lead-acid batteries, charge at 10-20% of the capacity (20-40A), while LiFePO₄ batteries can often handle higher currents.

Utilize a charger with automatic shut-off or float charging to prevent overcharging, which can damage the battery. Charging should be done in a temperature-controlled environment to optimize efficiency and extend the battery's lifespan.

Additionally, regularly monitor the battery's state of charge and overall health; for lead-acid batteries, this includes checking electrolyte levels and performing equalization charges when necessary.

Long Story Short: Determining how long a 24V 200Ah battery will last requires a careful assessment of your energy needs and usage patterns.

With a total energy capacity of ~4.8-5.1 kilowatt-hours, this battery can be a reliable power source for a variety of applications, from running household appliances to supporting off-grid solar systems.

Factors like the type of battery (lead-acid or LiFePO₄), the connected load, and adherence to proper charging practices all play very important roles in maximizing both performance and lifespan.

Understanding these variables and implementing best practices help ensure that your battery system operates efficiently and meets your power requirements effectively.

Although lithium batteries offer weight savings, a much larger number of charging/discharging cycles, better energy efficiency, etc., AGM batteries are still going on strong - they don't need the built-in BMS and are as such, simpler and much more reliable for use in systems that may have electric glitches (electric motors, power inverters, etc.) that may shut-off lithium battery's BMS. Just my 2c.