Description
12V 18Ah Lithium Battery — CLI18-12
The Canbat CLI18-12 is a 12V 18Ah lithium battery delivering 230.4Wh of usable LiFePO4 energy in a compact 182 × 77 × 168 mm footprint at 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg) — a compact utility lithium platform engineered for alarm systems, access control equipment, emergency lighting, remote monitoring, communications infrastructure, and standby backup deployments where a sealed lead-acid battery is the conventional power source and long service life, low maintenance, and compact deployment define the specification.
Designed as a direct replacement for 12V 18Ah sealed lead-acid batteries across commercial, security, and infrastructure applications, the CLI18-12 delivers twice the usable energy of a comparable SLA battery at a fraction of the weight, with 3,000–5,000 cycle life that significantly extends the service interval between replacement events — reducing total cost of ownership in deployments where battery replacement requires a scheduled service visit or field technician access.
It ships free across Canada and the USA, carries a 10-year warranty, and is built with UL 1642 certified cells. For Canada and USA orders, there are no import duties or cross-border complications.
The Lithium Upgrade from Sealed Lead-Acid
Sealed lead-acid batteries at 18Ah nominal typically deliver 300–500 charge/discharge cycles before capacity degrades to the point of replacement — and deliver only approximately 9Ah of usable energy before reaching the depth-of-discharge limit that protects their cycle life. The CLI18-12 delivers its full 18Ah at 100% usable depth of discharge on every cycle, with 3,000–5,000 cycle life that represents a ten-fold or greater improvement in service life over comparable SLA batteries.
For alarm systems, access control panels, emergency lighting, gate operators, and communications equipment where battery replacement requires scheduling a service visit or dispatching a field technician, the CLI18-12’s extended service life directly reduces operational cost — fewer replacement events, fewer service calls, and lower total cost of ownership over the service life of the equipment.
At 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg), the CLI18-12 weighs significantly less than a sealed lead-acid battery of comparable capacity — simplifying installation in access-constrained enclosures and reducing equipment weight in mobile or portable deployments.
Applications
Alarm Systems, Access Control & Security Equipment
The CLI18-12 is a direct lithium replacement for the 12V 18Ah sealed lead-acid batteries used in commercial alarm panels, access control systems, gate operators, and security equipment. Same voltage, significantly lower weight, maintenance-free operation, and 3,000–5,000 cycle life versus the 300–500 cycles typical of SLA alternatives — reducing the frequency of replacement in installations where battery access requires scheduled service.
Emergency Lighting & Backup Power Systems
For emergency lighting units, exit sign backup systems, and standby power for critical communications equipment, the CLI18-12 provides reliable backup energy in a sealed, maintenance-free unit that does not require periodic equalization or capacity testing to maintain readiness — unlike sealed lead-acid batteries that degrade silently over time and require more frequent replacement in standby applications.
Remote Monitoring & Communications Infrastructure
For remote monitoring stations, trail cameras, field instrumentation, fish finders, portable communications equipment, and traffic control devices requiring a compact, reliable 12V auxiliary power source, the CLI18-12 delivers lithium performance with low self-discharge — under 3% per month — supporting unattended operation between extended service intervals without the capacity loss that characterizes SLA batteries in standby deployments.
Mobility Equipment & Compact Auxiliary Systems
For compact mobility equipment, portable field equipment, service vehicle auxiliary systems, and any commercial application where a 12V 18Ah sealed lead-acid battery is the conventional power source, the CLI18-12 provides a direct lithium upgrade — improving weight, service life, and operational reliability without requiring changes to the surrounding equipment or electrical architecture.
12V 18Ah Lithium Battery for Alarm Systems, Access Control & Backup Power
The CLI18-12 is Canbat’s compact utility lithium battery for 12V 18Ah sealed lead-acid replacement applications — designed for alarm systems, access control equipment, emergency lighting, remote monitoring, and standby backup deployments where long service life, low maintenance, and compact deployment define the specification.
For Canadians sourcing a 12V 18Ah lithium battery, the CLI18-12 ships free with no import duties, is backed by a Canadian technical team, and carries a 10-year warranty. Compatible with all major chargers and charge controllers that support a LiFePO4 charging profile.
Runtime & Performance
The CLI18-12 delivers 230.4Wh of usable energy at 12V nominal — all accessible at 100% depth of discharge with stable voltage throughout:
| Application / Load | Average Draw | Estimated Runtime |
|---|---|---|
| Remote monitoring / instrumentation | ~0.5–2A | ~9–36 hours |
| Alarm / access control systems | ~0.5–2A standby | ~9–36 hours |
| Emergency lighting backup | ~3–6A | ~3–6 hours |
| Portable communications equipment | ~1–3A | ~6–18 hours |
| LED lighting & low-draw electronics | ~2–3A | ~6–9 hours |
Runtime figures are based on 100% usable depth of discharge. The CLI18-12 maintains stable voltage throughout the discharge cycle — consistent performance for electronics, alarm, and instrumentation loads from start to finish.
Series & Parallel Expandability
The CLI18-12 supports both series and parallel connections — up to 4 units in either configuration — for systems requiring greater capacity or higher system voltage.
| Configuration | Units | System Voltage | Total Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single unit | 1 | 12V | 18Ah / 230.4Wh |
| Parallel x2 | 2 | 12V | 36Ah / 460.8Wh |
| Parallel x3 | 3 | 12V | 54Ah / 691.2Wh |
| Parallel x4 (max) | 4 | 12V | 72Ah / 921.6Wh |
| Series x2 | 2 | 24V | 18Ah / 460.8Wh |
| Series x3 | 3 | 36V | 18Ah / 691.2Wh |
| Series x4 (max) | 4 | 48V | 18Ah / 921.6Wh |
The CLI18-12’s modular architecture supports the full range of 12V, 24V, 36V, and 48V system configurations.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Part Number | CLI18-12 |
| Chemistry | Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) — Cylindrical cells |
| Nominal Voltage | 12V (12.8V nominal) |
| Capacity | 18Ah |
| Energy | 230.4Wh |
| Cycle Life | 3,000–5,000 cycles at 100% DoD |
| Max Continuous Discharge | 18A |
| Peak Discharge | 80A for 3 seconds |
| Max Charge Current | 18A (recommended 9A) |
| Charging Temperature | 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F) |
| Discharge Temperature | -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F) |
| IP Rating | IP54 — splash and dust resistant |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg) |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 182 x 77 x 168 mm / 7.17 x 3.03 x 6.61 in |
| Terminal Type | M6 / 1 — bolts included |
| Mounting | Upright or on side |
| Parallel Expansion | Up to 4 units (72Ah / 12V maximum) |
| Series Expansion | Up to 4 units (24V, 36V, or 48V systems) |
| BMS Protection | Over-charge, over-discharge, short circuit, over-current, temperature extremes, cell balancing |
| Bluetooth Monitoring | Optional add-on (Canbat BT app — free for iOS and Android) |
| Storage | Store at 80–100% SoC in a cool, dry environment |
| Certification | UL 1642 certified cells |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Shipping | Free across Canada and USA — no import duties |
Battery Management System and Bluetooth Monitoring
The CLI18-12’s integrated BMS manages cell-level protection and balancing automatically — no external battery management required.
- Over-discharge protection — prevents cell damage from excessive depth of discharge
- Over-charge protection — disconnects at the correct voltage ceiling
- Short circuit and over-current protection — responds within milliseconds
- High-temperature cutoff — protects cells during charging in hot environments
- Cell balancing — maintains consistency across cells over thousands of cycles
The optional Bluetooth add-on connects the battery to the free Canbat BT app, available for iOS and Android. Monitor state of charge, voltage, current, and cell temperature in real time — useful for standby backup installations and remote deployments where direct battery access is limited.
System Compatibility and Installation
The CLI18-12 is compatible with any charger or charge controller that supports a LiFePO4 charging profile. When replacing a sealed lead-acid battery, verify that the charging system’s voltage settings are configured for lithium — most modern chargers include a LiFePO4 preset or adjustable voltage settings. M6 terminals with bolts are included. The battery installs upright or on its side.
For compatibility questions or system sizing assistance, Canbat’s Canadian technical team is available by phone, email, and live chat.
Canadian Supply, Support and Warranty
Canbat is a Canadian battery manufacturer. The CLI18-12 ships free to any address in Canada and the USA. Canadian and US buyers pay no import duties and face no cross-border complications on their orders.
The CLI18-12 is backed by a 10-year warranty and supported by a Canadian technical team available by phone, email, and live chat. Warranty claims can be submitted directly with Canbat — with no overseas support queues and no runaround.
Ava M. –
I am very happy with this 18Ah lithium battery and I am very glad I switched over from lead-acid. These lithium ones are much lighter and run for much longer. They shipped to me with free shipping which is very surprising, I love it.
Laura J. –
Very compact 18Ah lithium battery and holds a long charge!
Jacob D. –
This is the best 18Ah fish finder battery. I was initially unsure of whether to go with this one or the 12Ah one. I am a professional fisherman and I am usually on the water for a week or so. This 18Ah lithium battery never disappoints me.
Laura N. –
I got this 18Ah LiFePO4 battery as a drop in replacement for my existing sealed lead acid battery in a UPS and I now have 3X more backup time. Very satisfied!
Craig B. –
I got this 18Ah LiFePO4 battery for ice fishing. It’s bigger than the standard ice fishing battery which is typically a lead acid, but man oh man. This battery is half the weight and provides at least 5 times the run power of my old 7Ah lead acid battery. If you’re looking to fish for days worry-free, lithium is the way to go.
Dave M. –
This is a high quality and a well built 18 Amp lithium battery. I got it for my ice auger and I am very happy with the performance. It was delivered to me to the Yukon with free shipping at a competitive price. Very impressed with their prices, quality and customer service.
Michael J. –
18 ampere hours battery with LiFePO4 cells and a built-in BMS developed by a Canadian company. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for since ever and I finally came across Canbat. Down here in West Kootenay near Christina Lake, we literally have nobody that offers this battery. Finding a Canadian company that offers this battery with free shipping is amazing. Kudos to Canbat.
Susan K. –
Great replacement battery instead of those heavy lead-acid ones. The battery is high performing and very light. However, I’m giving a 4 star review because the battery arrived in 3 days which I consider very long since I live in BC and that’s where the battery shipped from. A nice gesture though is that I received a free notebook and pen with my order. Who doesn’t appreciate free stuff!
eric@canbat.com –
I bought this 12V 18Ah battery for my Garmin 93sv live scope. I have had the battery for a few months now and it’s working great. The battery is lasting anywhere between 12 and 14 hours.
Daniel P. –
The battery was long-lasting and heavy-duty. It works really well in the cold!
Jackson W. –
Very good battery for portable use. Long-lasting battery for fishing.
Richard J. –
Long-lasting battery power for my onboard electronics!
James H. –
Very light battery. I’ve been fishing for 2 days now without charging. Exceed my expectation!
Terry J. –
Has great power and even in the cold weather. Great battery for Garman live scope.
Maria M. –
I just replaced my lead-acid battery with a brand new Canbat 12v 18ah battery. Simply the best battery I’ve had.
Alina D. –
Just found the right size battery for my Garmin panoptic. Tested it last weekend, the charge it holds is incredible.
Bruce A. –
This 12v 18ah battery lasts longer than I thought. One of the best purchases I made for my fishing equipment. So far I did not have to recharge the battery yet.
Dennis P. –
Perfect fit and quick shipping. I’ve been fishing the whole day and the 12v 18ah battery is has been a lifesaver.
Steven S. –
My old battery just died. I called Canbat and they recommended me to buy a 12v 18ah lithium batter. Can’t wait till I test it out this weekend.
Leonard K. –
I am a fisherman and this is the perfect lithium battery for fish finders!
Jack B. –
I haven’t gotten the chance to use the lithium battery that I just bought from Canbat. But they shipped it fast and answered all my questions during the call. I needed it to charge the graph on my boat.
Desrun M. –
Trying out this new lithium battery I bought for my Hummingbird Helix 7 Mega SI DI GPS. Wow the battery is light and it lasted the whole day. I am happy that I made this purchase.
David K. –
I am a happy fisherman. This 12v 18ah lithium battery lasts me more than 1 whole day. Great quality and packaging. I hope this battery lasts me for at least 8 years.
Ben L. –
The lithium battery lasts long hours on the motorboat I have. Super light and easy to carry. Great battery for muti purposes!
Adrian T. –
Great battery and the right fit for my tiny trolling motors. I bought two batteries to connect in parallel and works great.
Sebastien R –
Very good battery.
Got it on sale which inluded the Victron 5A intelligent Bluetooth charger last winter.
I use it for my astrophotography setup, and also for portable ham radio operations (ex:POTA).
So much better than SLA batteries!
HENRY M. –
Très content de mon choix, Canbat propose de la qualité et un service impeccable.
Jim K. –
Purchased four of these and put them in series to make up a 48V lithium battery for my Moped. They work great and give me a long runtime.