How To Charge Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Batteries
If you’ve recently purchased or are researching lithium iron phosphate batteries (referred to lithium or LiFePO4 in this blog), you know they provide more cycles, an even distribution of power delivery, and weigh less than a comparable sealed lead acid (SLA) battery. Did you know they can also charge four times faster than SLA? But exactly how do you charge a lithium battery, anyway?
Power Sonic recommends you select a charger designed for the chemistry of your battery. This means we recommend using a lithium charger, like the LiFe Charger Series from Power Sonic, when charging lithium batteries.
CAN A LEAD ACID CHARGER CHARGE A LITHIUM BATTERY?
As you will learn in this blog, there are many similarities in the charging profiles of SLA and lithium. However, extra caution should be exercised when using SLA chargers to charge lithium batteries as they can damage, under charge, or reduce the capacity of the lithium battery over time. There are many differences when comparing lithium and SLA batteries.
SEALED LEAD ACID (SLA) BATTERY CHARGING PROFILE
Let’s go back to the basics of how to charge a sealed lead acid battery. The most common charging method is a three-stage approach: the initial charge (constant current), the saturation topping charge (constant voltage), and the float charge.
In Stage 1, as shown above, the current is limited to avoid damage to the battery. The rate of change in voltage continually changes during Stage 1 eventually beginning to plateau when the full charge voltage limit is approached. The constant current/Stage 1 portion of the charge is crucial before moving onto the next stage. Stage 1 charging is typically done at 10%-30% (0.1C to 0.3C) current of the capacity rating of the battery or less.
Stage 2, constant voltage, begins when the voltage reaches the voltage limit (14.7V for fast charging SLA batteries, 14.4V for most others). During this stage, the current draw gradually decreases as the topping charge of the battery continues. This stage terminates when the current falls below 5% of the battery’s rated capacity. The last stage, the float charge, is necessary to keep the battery from self-discharging and losing capacity.
Stage 3 is used if the battery is being used in a standby application, the float charge is necessary to ensure the battery is at full capacity when the battery is called upon to discharge. In an application where the battery is in storage, float charging keeps the SLA battery at 100% State of Charge (SOC), which is necessary to prevent sulfating of the battery that therefore prevents damage to the plates of the battery.
LIFEPO4 BATTERY CHARGING PROFILE
A LiFePO4 battery uses the same constant current and constant voltage stages as the SLA battery. Even though these two stages are similar and perform the same function, the advantage of the LiFePO4 battery is that the rate of charge can be much higher, making the charge time much faster.
Stage 1 battery charging is typically done at 30%-100% (0.3C to 1.0C) current of the capacity rating of the battery. Stage 1 of the SLA chart above takes four hours to complete. The Stage 1 of a lithium battery can take as little as one hour to complete, making a lithium battery available for use four times faster than SLA. Shown in the chart above, the Lithium battery is charged at only 0.5C and still charges almost 3 times as fast! As shown in the chart above, the Lithium battery is charged at only 0.5C and still charges almost 3 times as fast!
Stage 2 is necessary in both chemistries to bring the battery to 100% SOC. The SLA battery takes 6 hours to complete Stage 2, whereas the lithium battery can take as little as 15 minutes. Overall, the lithium battery charges in four hours, and the SLA battery typically takes 10. In cyclic applications, the charge time is very critical. A lithium battery can be charged and discharged several times a day, whereas a lead acid battery can only be fully cycled once a day.
Where they become different in charging profiles is Stage 3. A lithium battery does not need a float charge like lead acid. In long-term storage applications, a lithium battery should not be stored at 100% SOC, and therefore can be maintained with a full cycle (charged and discharged) once every 6 – 12 months and then storage charged to only 50% SoC.
In standby applications, since the self-discharge rate of lithium is so low, the lithium battery will deliver close to full capacity even if it has not been charged for 6 – 12 months. For longer periods of time, a charge system that provides a topping charge based on voltage is recommended. This is especially important with our Bluetooth batteries where the Bluetooth module draws a very small current from the battery even when not in use.
LITHIUM BATTERY CHARGING CHARACTERISTICS
Voltage and current settings during charging
The full charge open-circuit voltage (OCV) of a 12V SLA battery is nominally 13.1 and the full charge OCV of a 12V lithium battery is around 13.6. A battery will only sustain damage if the charging voltage applied is significantly higher than the full charge voltage of the battery.
This means an SLA battery should be kept below 14.7V for Stage 2 charging and below 15V for lithium. Float charging is only required for an SLA battery, recommended around 13.8V. Based on this, a charge voltage range between 13.8V and 14.7V is sufficient to charge any battery without causing damage. When selecting a charger for either chemistry, it is important to chose one that will stay between the limits listed above.
Chargers are selected to match the capacity of the battery to be charged, since the current used during charging is based on the capacity rating of the battery. A lithium battery can be charged as fast as 1C, whereas a lead acid battery should be kept below 0.3C. This means a 10AH lithium battery can typically be charged at 10A while a 10AH lead acid battery can be charged at 3A.
The charge cut-off current is 5% of the capacity, so the cutoff for both batteries would be 0.5A. Typically, the terminal current setting is determined by the charger.
Universal chargers will typically have a function to select the chemistry. This function chooses the optimal voltage charging range, and determines when the battery is fully charged. If it is charging a lithium battery, the charger should shut off automatically. If it is charging an SLA battery, it should switch to a float charge.
Lithium batteries replacing sealed lead acid in float applications
It is very common for lithium batteries to be placed in an application where an SLA battery used to be maintained on a float charge, such as a UPS system. There has been some concern, whether this is safe for lithium batteries. It is generally acceptable to use a standard constant voltage SLA charger with our lithium batteries, as long as it adheres to certain standards.
If using a constant voltage SLA charger, the charger must meet the following conditions:– Charger must not contain a de-sulfating setting– Fast/Bulk charge voltage of 14.7V– Recommended float charge voltage of 13.8V
As a side note, some Smart or multi-stage SLA chargers have a feature that detects open circuit voltage (As a side note, some Smart or multi-stage SLA chargers have a feature that detects open circuit voltage (OCV). An over-discharged lithium battery that is in protection mode will have an OCV of near 0V. This type of charger would assume this battery is dead and would not try to charge it. A charger with a lithium setting will try to recover or “wake up” an over-discharged lithium battery that is in protection mode.
Long term storage
If you need to keep your batteries in storage for an extended period, there are a few things to consider as the storage requirements are different for SLA and lithium batteries. There are two main reasons that storing an SLA versus a Lithium battery is different.
The first reason is that the chemistry of the battery determines the optimal SOC for storage. For an SLA battery, you want to store it as close to possible as 100% SOC to avoid sulfating, which causes a buildup of sulfate crystals on the plates. The buildup of sulfate crystals will diminish the capacity of the battery.
For a lithium battery the structure of the positive terminal becomes unstable when depleted of electrons for long periods of time. The instability of the positive terminal can lead to permanent capacity loss. For this reason, a lithium battery should be stored near 50% SOC, which equally distributes the electrons on the positive and negative terminals. For detailed recommendations on long term Lithium storage, check out this guide regarding storage of Lithium batteries.
The second influence on storage is the self-discharge rate. The high self-discharge rate of the SLA battery means that you should put it on a float charge or a trickle charge to maintain it as close as possible to 100% SOC to avoid permanent capacity loss. For a lithium battery, which has a much lower discharge rate and doesn’t need to be at 100% SOC, you may be able to get away with minimal maintenance charging.
Recommended battery chargers
It is always important to match your charger to deliver the correct current and voltage for the battery you are charging. For example, you wouldn’t use a 24V charger to charge a 12V battery. It is also recommended that you use a charger matched to your battery chemistry, barring the notes from above on how to use an SLA charger with a lithium battery. Additionally, when charging a lithium battery with a normal SLA charger, you would want to ensure that the charger does not have a desulfation mode or a dead battery mode.
If you have any questions about an existing charger’s capability with one of our products, please give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to assist you with your charging needs.
W Lifepo4 Lithium Ion Portable Outdoor Powerbank Power Station
Li-Ion Battery Size L 292mm W 202mm H 194mm Normal Voltage (V) Lithium battery nominal Voltage 519.48WH / Cell 22.2v Discharge and Voltage (V) lithium cell discharge and voltage Max discharge Current (A) Lithium Battery Max discharge Current 10A Model MP500 MOQ 2 Payment TT. PAYPAL, L/C Delivery time 15~35 DAYS Port of shipment YANTIAN Certification IEC62619, UN38.3 Nominal Capacity (Ah) Home use Lithium Battery Capacity 500W/3.7V/140400mAh Dimensions(mm) Lithium Battery Dimensions (mm) 292202194mm Weight (Kgs) LiFePO4 LIthium Battery Weight 6kgs Resistance (m Ω） Lithium Battery Resistance Cycle Life (DOD 80%) Li-Ion Battery Cycle Life 2000 Charging Voltage (V) LiFePO4 Cell Charging Voltage Price Get Latest Price
So Convenient to Own A Portable Power Station！
500W Lifepo4 Lithium Ion Portable Outdoor Powerbank Power Station
UFO Power Portable UPS energy storage power industry well-known brand, developed 330W, 500W, 1000W, 1500W, 2000W, 5000W and other outdoor lithium ion battery power station products. With large capacity, could simultaneously meet the use of different equipment. The compatible performance is very good. Energy storage lithium electric portable UPS has a unique 12VDC220V AC two voltage output. Large current output, AC100V ~ 240V output, rated voltage22.2V, cell capacity 23.4Ah/519.48wh. the product uses high-performance lithium iron phosphate battery as energy storage backup, and its own LED lighting, There is an LED LCD screen that shows the remaining battery and usage details. Portable AC and DC power supply supports three charging modes: solar panel (additional configuration required), vehicle and municipal power, forming a good self-sufficiency mode to ensure that the power supply can be fully electric anytime and anywhere to provide power services for users.
Product Features
It has the following functions:
Charged by Solar energy, car charger and generator and so on.
Power supply for various digital devices (mobile phones, tablets, cameras, computers).
Power supply for household lighting system, electric fan, TV, electric blanket, etc.
Power supply for car, car air pump and vacuum cleaner.
Supplying power for uav, automobile air pump and automobile battery.
Built-in LED lighting module, which can provide 3w lighting, or emit SOS or flash lights.
500Wh Power Supply–With a lightweight of 4.8Kg, the lithium power station provides power for most of the small electric appliances.
Wireless Fast Charging Function
Product Information
01 Compatible for Different Appliances
DC5521, 12V is provided, which can be used for outdoor charging of UAV and aircraft models.
AC110V or 220V for most small and medium household appliances (TV, electric fan, indoor lighting).
02 LCD Display
Built-in LCD screen displays charging status, capacity, and output.
03 LED Lighting
Built-in LED lighting module to supply 5-10W lighting, flashlight and SOS.
04 Portable Handle
Human-centered design, easy and comfortable to carry.
05 Type-C PD 60W
The product can power most products below AC1000 watts, PD3.0 is compatible with major fast charging protocols, and the power is up to 60W.
06 AC output
The product can power most products below AC1000 watts. AC uses pure sinusoidal wave and non-corrected wave to provide better power quality for AC power equipment.
07 USB QC3.0
Covering 99% USB devise (mobile phone, iPad, camera).
Provide USB QC3.0, support QC quick charge protocol (mobile quick charge).
08 Heat Dissipation Design
The enclosure is a fanless design, anodizing with aluminum alloy. The panel is made of PC plus hard material, which is resistant to common scratches.
09 Various Environment
The lithium power station can supply power for a variety of environments, such as emergency power supply, camping power supply, and so on.
10 Intelligent BMS
Overcharge detection function Over-discharge detection function Over-current detection function Short detection function Temperature detection function
| Working Time | |
| Smartphone 5V | than 100 times |
| LED Light 12V 5W | About 200 hours |
| Desktop Computer | Host monitor approximately 6 hours |
| Laptop 13 inch (65w) | About 29 hours |
| Fan 50W | About 48 hours |
| LCD TV 48 inch | About 5-6hours |
| Energy-Saving Lamp 5W | About 384 hours |
Portable energy storage power supply can be used to power home kitchen appliances such as rice cookers, electric kettles, induction cookers and small refrigerators, as well as charge digital devices such as mobile phones, laptops and tablet computers. With four protection functions: over temperature protection, over discharge protection, over current protection, short circuit protection, so that your home power can be carefree when the normal use of electricity.
At present, outdoor portable power supply can also be seen in outdoor camping, outdoor self-driving travel, outdoor photography, outdoor survey, outdoor office, medical rescue, maritime fisheries, military and other electricity fields.
220V portable UPS portable power supply is portable and provides a solid back for outdoor use. Help home, office, study, can safely through the “no power” period. Nowadays, faced with the possibility of long term power supply, portable power supply is very necessary as an emergency supply of power for the home.
Get A Battery Sample Now!With the principle of “Quality first, prompt delivery and reasonable price“, our team is committed to providing satisfactory and efficient service for you.
In case you are searching home backup battery, pls click here.
Any question, pls feel free to contact us NOW !
Web: www.ufo-battery.com
Email: Sales@ufo-battery.com
Q1: Are you a manufacturing factory? A1: Yes, We are a manufacture from China. You are welcome to visit our factory and production process. If the quantity is suitable, we accept OEM/ODM. Q2: How to payment ? A2: Payment: T/T, L/C, Paypal: 30% in advance as PO ensured, 70% balance before deliverying. Q3: What is the production time for this portable power station/solar generator? A3: The sample delivery time is about 5-10 days. The bulk order delivery time is about 20-35days according to quantity. Q4: Can I buy one or two units for the sample first? A4: Yes. Samples are welcome for the portable power station/solar generator. You can buy the sample directly online here.Or please contact our sales manager to place the order. Q5. Q: How to charge the portable power station/solar generator? A5: There are three ways to charge the portable power station. By wall outlet, by solar panel and by car. Q6. Q: Do this portable power station/solar generator include the solar panel? A6: No. The portable power station doesn’t include the solar panel and controller. The solar panel and controller is sold separately. Q7: What is the warranty of this portable power station? A7: 1 year warranty (12 Months) Q8. Q: What kind of application can be powered by this portable power station? A8: This portable power station can power Laptops, Tablets, and Lights, Mini Fridge, Power tool charging, TV/Satellite, Medical Equipment, computer and LED Floodlights and so on.This portable power station can be used when camping, home, business office,residential area, hydroponic system,party,hiking,restaurants, and outdoor sports and Emergency, Rescue and CPAP backup power. If you have other questions, please contact us for more details.Thank you.
Looking for ideal Power Station for Camping Manufacturer supplier ? We have a wide selection at goods to help you get creative. All the Portable Solar Generator are quality guaranteed. We are China Origin Factory of Outdoor Power Station. If you have any question, please feel free to contact us.
We, SHENZHEN UFO POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., established in the year 2005, are one of the leading manufacturers, wholesalers, suppliers and distributors of optimum quality Industrial Batteries and Chargers. The product range consists of LiFePO4 Battery Pack. Known for their spill-proof construction, enhanced serving life, compact design and high discharge rate, these batteries are designed by using advanced tools and machinery. Before dispatched at the customers’ end, we offer these batteries with tamper-proof, for avoiding any damage while in transit.We believe that high production capacity of our infrastructure is driving force behind our success in this domain. Our infrastructural facility is carefully divided into several units to ensure that all the on-going processes are carried out in the most streamlined manner. In addition to this, our infrastructure is well-equipped with latest tools required for carrying out standardized operation.
W Lifepo4 Lithium Ion Portable Outdoor Powerbank Power Station
Li-Ion Battery Size L 292mm W 202mm H 194mm Normal Voltage (V) Lithium battery nominal Voltage 519.48WH / Cell 22.2v Discharge and Voltage (V) lithium cell discharge and voltage Max discharge Current (A) Lithium Battery Max discharge Current 10A Model MP500 MOQ 2 Payment TT. PAYPAL, L/C Delivery time 15~35 DAYS Port of shipment YANTIAN Certification IEC62619, UN38.3 Nominal Capacity (Ah) Home use Lithium Battery Capacity 500W/3.7V/140400mAh Dimensions(mm) Lithium Battery Dimensions (mm) 292202194mm Weight (Kgs) LiFePO4 LIthium Battery Weight 6kgs Resistance (m Ω） Lithium Battery Resistance Cycle Life (DOD 80%) Li-Ion Battery Cycle Life 2000 Charging Voltage (V) LiFePO4 Cell Charging Voltage Price Get Latest Price
So Convenient to Own A Portable Power Station！
500W Lifepo4 Lithium Ion Portable Outdoor Powerbank Power Station
UFO Power Portable UPS energy storage power industry well-known brand, developed 330W, 500W, 1000W, 1500W, 2000W, 5000W and other outdoor lithium ion battery power station products. With large capacity, could simultaneously meet the use of different equipment. The compatible performance is very good. Energy storage lithium electric portable UPS has a unique 12VDC220V AC two voltage output. Large current output, AC100V ~ 240V output, rated voltage22.2V, cell capacity 23.4Ah/519.48wh. the product uses high-performance lithium iron phosphate battery as energy storage backup, and its own LED lighting, There is an LED LCD screen that shows the remaining battery and usage details. Portable AC and DC power supply supports three charging modes: solar panel (additional configuration required), vehicle and municipal power, forming a good self-sufficiency mode to ensure that the power supply can be fully electric anytime and anywhere to provide power services for users.
Product Features
It has the following functions:
Charged by Solar energy, car charger and generator and so on.
Power supply for various digital devices (mobile phones, tablets, cameras, computers).
Power supply for household lighting system, electric fan, TV, electric blanket, etc.
Power supply for car, car air pump and vacuum cleaner.
Supplying power for uav, automobile air pump and automobile battery.
Built-in LED lighting module, which can provide 3w lighting, or emit SOS or flash lights.
500Wh Power Supply–With a lightweight of 4.8Kg, the lithium power station provides power for most of the small electric appliances.
Wireless Fast Charging Function
Product Information
01 Compatible for Different Appliances
DC5521, 12V is provided, which can be used for outdoor charging of UAV and aircraft models.
AC110V or 220V for most small and medium household appliances (TV, electric fan, indoor lighting).
02 LCD Display
Built-in LCD screen displays charging status, capacity, and output.
03 LED Lighting
Built-in LED lighting module to supply 5-10W lighting, flashlight and SOS.
04 Portable Handle
Human-centered design, easy and comfortable to carry.
05 Type-C PD 60W
The product can power most products below AC1000 watts, PD3.0 is compatible with major fast charging protocols, and the power is up to 60W.
06 AC output
The product can power most products below AC1000 watts. AC uses pure sinusoidal wave and non-corrected wave to provide better power quality for AC power equipment.
07 USB QC3.0
Covering 99% USB devise (mobile phone, iPad, camera).
Provide USB QC3.0, support QC quick charge protocol (mobile quick charge).
08 Heat Dissipation Design
The enclosure is a fanless design, anodizing with aluminum alloy. The panel is made of PC plus hard material, which is resistant to common scratches.
09 Various Environment
The lithium power station can supply power for a variety of environments, such as emergency power supply, camping power supply, and so on.
10 Intelligent BMS
Overcharge detection function Over-discharge detection function Over-current detection function Short detection function Temperature detection function
| Working Time | |
| Smartphone 5V | than 100 times |
| LED Light 12V 5W | About 200 hours |
| Desktop Computer | Host monitor approximately 6 hours |
| Laptop 13 inch (65w) | About 29 hours |
| Fan 50W | About 48 hours |
| LCD TV 48 inch | About 5-6hours |
| Energy-Saving Lamp 5W | About 384 hours |
Portable energy storage power supply can be used to power home kitchen appliances such as rice cookers, electric kettles, induction cookers and small refrigerators, as well as charge digital devices such as mobile phones, laptops and tablet computers. With four protection functions: over temperature protection, over discharge protection, over current protection, short circuit protection, so that your home power can be carefree when the normal use of electricity.
At present, outdoor portable power supply can also be seen in outdoor camping, outdoor self-driving travel, outdoor photography, outdoor survey, outdoor office, medical rescue, maritime fisheries, military and other electricity fields.
220V portable UPS portable power supply is portable and provides a solid back for outdoor use. Help home, office, study, can safely through the “no power” period. Nowadays, faced with the possibility of long term power supply, portable power supply is very necessary as an emergency supply of power for the home.
Get A Battery Sample Now!With the principle of “Quality first, prompt delivery and reasonable price“, our team is committed to providing satisfactory and efficient service for you.
In case you are searching home backup battery, pls click here.
Any question, pls feel free to contact us NOW !
Web: www.ufo-battery.com
Email: Sales@ufo-battery.com
Q1: Are you a manufacturing factory? A1: Yes, We are a manufacture from China. You are welcome to visit our factory and production process. If the quantity is suitable, we accept OEM/ODM. Q2: How to payment ? A2: Payment: T/T, L/C, Paypal: 30% in advance as PO ensured, 70% balance before deliverying. Q3: What is the production time for this portable power station/solar generator? A3: The sample delivery time is about 5-10 days. The bulk order delivery time is about 20-35days according to quantity. Q4: Can I buy one or two units for the sample first? A4: Yes. Samples are welcome for the portable power station/solar generator. You can buy the sample directly online here.Or please contact our sales manager to place the order. Q5. Q: How to charge the portable power station/solar generator? A5: There are three ways to charge the portable power station. By wall outlet, by solar panel and by car. Q6. Q: Do this portable power station/solar generator include the solar panel? A6: No. The portable power station doesn’t include the solar panel and controller. The solar panel and controller is sold separately. Q7: What is the warranty of this portable power station? A7: 1 year warranty (12 Months) Q8. Q: What kind of application can be powered by this portable power station? A8: This portable power station can power Laptops, Tablets, and Lights, Mini Fridge, Power tool charging, TV/Satellite, Medical Equipment, computer and LED Floodlights and so on.This portable power station can be used when camping, home, business office,residential area, hydroponic system,party,hiking,restaurants, and outdoor sports and Emergency, Rescue and CPAP backup power. If you have other questions, please contact us for more details.Thank you.
Looking for ideal Power Station for Camping Manufacturer supplier ? We have a wide selection at goods to help you get creative. All the Portable Solar Generator are quality guaranteed. We are China Origin Factory of Outdoor Power Station. If you have any question, please feel free to contact us.
We, SHENZHEN UFO POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., established in the year 2005, are one of the leading manufacturers, wholesalers, suppliers and distributors of optimum quality Industrial Batteries and Chargers. The product range consists of LiFePO4 Battery Pack. Known for their spill-proof construction, enhanced serving life, compact design and high discharge rate, these batteries are designed by using advanced tools and machinery. Before dispatched at the customers’ end, we offer these batteries with tamper-proof, for avoiding any damage while in transit.We believe that high production capacity of our infrastructure is driving force behind our success in this domain. Our infrastructural facility is carefully divided into several units to ensure that all the on-going processes are carried out in the most streamlined manner. In addition to this, our infrastructure is well-equipped with latest tools required for carrying out standardized operation.
Lithium Battery Bank: How Much Capacity Do I Need?
Did you know you can use a lithium battery bank to power everything from fishing kayaks, RVs, to off-grid vacation cabins? Lithium batteries are reliable and versatile. But you can’t use the same battery capacity to power a single navigation lightbulb in your boat as you would to power all the appliances in a house. Try that, and you’ll run out of power in no time.
That’s why it’s important to figure out how much battery capacity you require. Once you do that, you can create the perfect battery bank for your needs.
What is a Battery Bank?
A battery bank consists of two or more batteries connected together. They may be connected via series wiring or in parallel. Doing this allows you to have a larger energy storage capacity, and power your devices for a longer period of time. Battery bank sizing refers to the number of batteries you’ll need, and what size they should be.
How to Determine Battery Bank Sizing
It might seem like a daunting task at first to figure out your battery bank sizing. That’s especially true when you have large energy requirements, like powering everything in an off-grid house.
But here’s some good news: every electronic device will tell you its electrical load draw. Just look at the label or packaging. You can use this information to figure out your total energy requirement. That’s the first step to determining battery bank sizing.
So go grab a pencil, paper, and calculator (or an electronic device if that’s more your style). Take a look at the electrical load draw of each device you want to power. Then use the steps below to find out how much capacity you need for your lithium battery bank.
Step 1: Calculate Your Daily Energy Load
Look at the electrical load draw on each device. It should be in amps or watts. If it’s in amps, multiply that number by the number of hours you’ll use it per day. That’s your amp-hour requirement. You can add the daily amp-hour requirement of all devices together to get your total daily energy load.
What if it’s in watts? First, you need to divide the watts by the voltage to get the amount of amps. Then multiply the amps by the number of hours you expect to use your device per day. Finally, add up the amp-hour requirements of each device to get your total energy load.
Want to go off grid and power your house with solar and a battery bank? Take a look at your utility bill. You can estimate your energy demand by looking at how much energy you used throughout the year. Don’t forget to account for the months you have higher demand.
Step 2: Create a Lithium Battery Bank to Handle Your Energy Load
Now that you know your amp-hour requirement, you need to make a lithium battery bank to handle that load.
For example, if you need a total of 40 amp hours to power a 12 volt application, you can connect two 12V 20Ah batteries together in parallel. When you connect batteries in parallel, the amperage adds together, and the voltage stays the same.
If you connect batteries in series, you can increase the voltage. For example, let’s say you have a 24 volt trolling motor. You could make a lithium battery bank of two 12V 100Ah batteries in series, plus one 12V 125Ah to take care of the engine starter and other onboard equipment.
Read more about series and parallel lithium battery bank connections here.
Other Battery Bank Sizing Considerations
Batteries don’t create energy–they only store it. So it’s important to make sure you have a way to charge your lithium battery bank.
There are a few ways to do this:
Let’s say you have a 200Ah lithium battery bank, but your solar panels don’t generate enough energy to fully charge it. Your bank won’t be able to provide 200Ah, and you’ll run out of power. In that case, you will have to get more or larger solar panels, or reduce the amount of energy you use.
The good news? Unlike lead acid batteries, a lithium battery bank won’t suffer any damage when partially charged. So the occasional cloudy day is no big deal. However, if your batteries are consistently undercharged, you’re paying for battery capacity that you’re never going to use. In that case, it’s better to choose a battery bank with less capacity that you know you can fully charge.
Here’s some more good news: our lithium batteries come in a variety of voltage and amp hour specifications. So go ahead, breathe a sigh of relief. There is a lithium battery bank that suits both your energy needs and your method of charging. Better yet, we’ve got experts standing by to help you find it. Contact us here for answers to your battery bank sizing questions.
Looking for a lithium battery bank for your boat? Read What Size Battery Do I Need for My Boat?
The Ultimate Guide of LiFePO4 Battery
In this post, you will see almost everything about LiFePO4 battery. The applications, the best drop-in replacement of lead-acid battery, the important parameters, charge discharge precautions, and more.
What is LiFePO4 Battery?
LiFePO4 battery is one type of lithium battery. The full name is Lithium Ferro (Iron) Phosphate Battery, also called LFP for short. It is now the safest, most eco-friendly, and longest-life lithium-ion battery.
Below are the main features and benefits:
Safe —— Unlike other lithium-ion batteries, thermal stable made LiFePO4 battery no risk of thermal runaway, which means no risk of flaming or explosion.
LiFePO4 battery will not burn until it reaches 500 °C, there is no risk of flaming in our battery pack with triple protections.
Eco-Friendly —— Iron is a common metal, while nickel and cobalt are limited metals. They are expensive and need careful treatment and recycling.
Super Long Cycle Life —— Chemical stability, the extremely strong crystal structure of iron phosphate makes LiFePO4 battery does not degrade. During charging and discharging, it will not fade under the continuous actions of lithium ions.
Now the cycle life of LiFePO4 battery can reach over 6000 times if under common conditions.
For more basic information, you can also check Wikipedia.
Applications of LiFePO4 Battery
Solar and Renewable Industry
LiFePO4 battery is ideal for energy storage systems (ESS) such as solar and other renewable systems. Because LiFePO4 battery is safe, efficient, and super long life.
In developed economies, LiFePO4 battery became the most popular new generation of energy storage battery.
Different battery packs of 12V, 24V, and 48V are always chosen as replacements for original lead-acid batteries.
For Small Solar System
MonoBlock LiFePO4 Battery is a good choice for small solar systems, like 12V/24V200Ah, or higher to 48V300Ah.
For Large and Commercial Solar Systems
For large solar energy storage systems like 50kWh, Modular LiFePO4 battery will be more suited.
Modular LiFePO4 Battery is a kind of server rack battery, scalable to 50kWh in one group, and more groups can be paralleled. It is also more stable due to the advanced BMS.
For Residential Solar System
Another popular choice for home solar battery is the “power wall” type. The big difference is the good looking, so it can be fit into the interior decoration.
Now in China, most telecom stations are upgraded to LiFePO4 batteries. We are also honored to take part in the program.
UPS and Backup Power
For UPS systems, traditional lead-acid batteries are low in price. Besides, they have extremely high instant discharge currents. And they are suitable for low-temperature discharge.
In these aspects, LiFePO4 batteries do not perform any better than lead-acid batteries.
The advantage of LiFePO4 batteries is, that they have 8 times the cycle life of lead-acid batteries.
Cycle life is especially important in regions where power may shut off several times a day.
Then the backup power system becomes actually a deep cycle storage system, more cycle life means longer service life.
Generally, lead-acid batteries need to be replaced in 3-4 years, while the replacement period for LiFePO4 batteries is 9-10 years or even 15 years.
Of course, if you are in an area where power outages are rare, only a few times a year, which means the battery bank is floating at 99% of the time, lead-acid battery is a good choice.
In one of the conditions, there are also the demands of high rate LiFePO4 battery downtown. For those UPS systems in those CBDs, even though the cost of the high rate LiFePO4 battery is high, but comparing to the room cost, it is still worth saving more floor space.
Golf Cart and Low-Speed Vehicles
Now a lot of the low-speed vehicles, such as Golf Carts, Patrol Carts, and Tourist Carts, are using LiFePO4 batteries instead of Trojan motive batteries.
LiFePO4 battery is lighter, faster, and has better performance in high temperatures.
Electric Vehicles
High Rate LiFePO4 battery is used in EVs, because of its safety. BYD is using their blade cells in the new series of “HAN”, the dynasty cars.
CCTV and Security System
In a security monitoring system, the role of the battery bank is similar to a UPS, as a backup power system in case of power failure.
RV, Motorhome, Caravan, Marine, Boats
Since the recommended charge/discharge current is 0.5C for LiFePO4 batteries, it is much higher than 0.2C for lead-acid batteries. LiFePO4 batteries are more appropriate than lead-acid batteries for these applications.
Super longer cycle life of LiFePO4 batteries is also a huge advantage because the battery system is cycled through deep charging and discharging.
What are the Important Parameters of LiFePO4 Battery?
What should we take care of when choosing a LiFePO4 battery? What are the important parameters of a LiFePO4 battery? How to choose the right battery?
Below are the important parameters:
- Battery Voltage
- Max Charge Current
- Max Discharge Current
- Cycle Life
- Warranty
- Extra Functions
For more details, please see below:
LiFePO4 Battery Compared to Other Lithium-ion Batteries
LiFePO4 battery is much safer
LiFePO4 has excellent thermal and chemical stability, making it the safest lithium battery technology available. It will not explode even if there is an internal short circuit.
NMC and other lithium batteries are more likely to heat up during the charging process, leading to thermal runaway, which could cause an explosion.
Much Longer Cycle Life
Lithium iron phosphate is technically proven to have the lowest capacity loss rate, so the effective capacity decays more slowly and has a longer cycle life.
In the same condition, LiFePO4 battery has 50% more cycle life than NMC battery.
Eco-Friendly
LiFePO4 batteries are made from non-toxic materials such as iron, graphite, and copper, all of which are easily recycled.
Eco-Friendly LiFePO4 Battery
LiFePO4 batteries do not contain nickel, or cobalt, both of which are limited and expensive metals.
Cost-Effective
In stationary energy storage systems, more people are choosing LiFePO4 batteries due to their safety, longer cycle life, and eco-friendly features.
In terms of price, LiFePO4 has a great advantage over NMC due to the popularity of the materials. Especially for large energy storage systems, LiFePO4 battery is better than NMC cells or other lithium batteries.
Disadvantage: Not High Energy Density
The energy ratio of LiFePO4 battery is lower than NMC battery, which means the weight is higher at the same capacity.
In applications where the weight is important, like small mobile electronic devices, such as cell phones, laptops, and tablets, there will be a significant disadvantage.
The Others
How to Discharge LiFePO4 Battery?
The discharge limits are not that much compared to charging.
But it is very important to check the discharge current/power limit, to make sure it can support your appliances.
It is also recommended that discharge current is below 0.5C to avoid overheating.
Do not empty the battery, it is recommended to hold at least 5% of the battery capacity.
How to Install
LiFePO4 batteries are available in a variety of combinations and terminal styles.
It is necessary to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
12V MonoBlock LiFePO4 battery is a replacement of lead-acid battery, the terminal is the same as the lead battery, and the connection is also similar.
It can be installed in any direction, and please note that the actual voltage of 12V LiFePO4 battery is 12.8V.
While 48V modular LiFePO4 batteries are mounted on specific racks, it is recommended to follow the installation instructions.
How to Maintenance
Requires little maintenance.
If you want, you can check the voltage once per month or several months.
Control of charging voltage and current, the good thing is the BMS is already in control. If you have access to the battery BMS settings, you can change a little bit of the parameters, so the battery can be working better based on your conditions.
Control of discharge voltage and current, under control of BMS.
Hi, I’m Andy. Since the year 2015, I’ve been working in SunOn Battery, a manufacturer in China that makes various batteries for 15 years now. The purpose of this article is to share with you the knowledge related to batteries and energy storage solutions from a Chinese supplier’s perspective.