Lithium versus Lead Acid Batteries | TowBrite

Wireless tow lights changed the recovery game. No more running cables along a wrecked vehicle in the rain, no more chasing broken bulbs and frayed wires on a service call. But the technology is only as good as what powers it — and for working tow operators, the battery is the part of the kit that decides whether you finish the job or end up sitting on the shoulder explaining to a trooper why your trail lights went dark halfway down the interstate.

Here is what to look for in a wireless tow light battery, and what TowBrite is doing differently.

Lithium, not lead, is the working operator's choice

Every TowBrite wireless tow light ships with a 12V lithium battery. Lithium chemistry is the right call for professional use for a few reasons that matter on the job:

• Runtime that gets you through a shift. Older sealed lead-acid (SLA) packs typically deliver around ten hours on a full charge. TowBrite's newer lithium packs are rated for 24 to 36 hours of use on a charge — enough to cover a multi-day haul or a busy day of back-to-back calls without charging.
• Lighter weight. A lighter pack means a lighter light, which matters when you're sticking a 22" bar to a sedan's deck lid with magnets, or hauling a unit to the back of a semi-trailer.
• Stable performance in the cold. Lithium tolerates Canadian winters and overnight roadside calls better than equivalent SLA chemistries.

Real-world capacity options

TowBrite stocks replacement and upgrade batteries built specifically for tow light housings, not generic packs repurposed from another industry:

• 6700 mAh Rectangle — the high-capacity option for the 36" and 48" wireless bars where you want maximum runtime.
• 3000 mAh Triangle and Flat — sized to fit smaller light-duty housings where space is tight.
• 12.6V Lithium upgrade kits — drop-in replacements for older TowBrite and TowMate light-duty units still running lead-acid. If you've got working housings and transmitters, you can extend their service life with an $80 kit instead of replacing the whole tow light.

Power-tool battery compatibility

For fleets already standardized on Milwaukee or DeWalt cordless platforms, TowBrite offers 36" and 48" wireless tow lights that accept those tool batteries directly. One charger, one inventory of packs across the shop and the truck — and a fresh battery is never more than a swap away.

Battery care that protects your investment

A few practices from the TowBrite FAQ are worth taking seriously if you want your packs to last:

• Charge whenever the unit isn't in use. TowBrite's chargers can't overcharge the pack, so a permanently mounted charging cable in the truck or tool box is a smart setup.
• Never store a battery dead, especially in cold weather. Running a lithium pack down to zero and letting it freeze is the fastest way to kill it.
• Plan to replace batteries every two to three years. It's a simple swap with hand tools, and TowBrite will do it for you if you'd rather ship the unit in.
• Watch your load. Stop-and-go traffic and the always-on running light feature both pull more current. Either accept the trade-off for added visibility, or have TowBrite re-wire the transmitter to drop running lights when you don't legally need them.

Hand-built in Ottawa, FCC- and IC-certified, backed by a lifetime limited warranty on the tow light itself — TowBrite's wireless battery system is designed to be serviced, upgraded, and kept on the road. For pro operators, that's the difference between a tow light and a tool you can rely on.