Ultimate Guide to LiFePO4 Voltage Chart (3.2V, 12V, 24V, ...
Ultimate Guide to LiFePO4 Voltage Chart (3.2V, 12V, 24V, ...
The LiFePO4 voltage chart is an important tool that helps you understand the charge levels, performance, and health of lithium-ion phosphate batteries. The chart illustrates the voltage range, including fully charged and discharged states, to help you identify the current SoC (State of Charge) of their batteries. With the LiFePO4 battery voltage chart, you can gauge performance, ensure optimal usage, and extend the battery lifespan.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit 3.2v lithium phosphate batteries.
Jackery Portable Power Stations feature LiFePO4 batteries with a 10-year lifespan and can charge most home or outdoor appliances for long hours. These batteries have a high temperature-resistant capability that delivers safe and efficient operation. You can quickly recharge these batteries via Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels to enjoy power during extended power outages or outdoor adventures.
What Is LiFePO4 Battery Voltage?
Let's first understand: What is a LiFePO4 battery? In simple words, a LiFePO4 battery is a popular type of Li-ion (lithium-ion) rechargeable battery that uses iron as a cathode. These batteries are the safest and most popular batteries integrated into solar power systems. They are becoming increasingly popular, all thanks to their long lifecycle, high energy density, and improved safety features.
The voltage of the LiFePO4 cells depends on the state of charge. Whenever the battery charges and discharges, the LiFePO4 battery voltage rises. If the LiFePO4 battery voltage is higher, it can store more energy and increase the overall capacity.
What Is LiFePO4 Voltage Chart?
The lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery voltage chart represents the state of charge (usually in percentage) of 1 cell based on different voltages, like 12V, 24V, and 48V. Here is a LiFePO4 Lithium battery state of charge chart based on voltage for 12V, 24V, and 48V LiFePO4 batteries.
Percentage (SOC)
1 Cell
12V
24V
48V
100% Charging
3.65
14.6
29.2
58.4
100% Rest
3.40
13.6
27.2
54.4
90%
3.35
13.4
26.8
53.6
80%
3.32
13.3
26.6
53.1
70%
3.30
13.2
26.4
52.8
60%
3.27
13.1
26.1
52.3
50%
3.26
13.0
26.1
52.2
40%
3.25
13.0
26.0
52.0
30%
3.22
12.9
25.8
51.5
20%
3.20
12.8
25.6
51.2
10%
3.00
12.0
24.0
48.0
0%
2.50
10.0
20.0
40.0
3.2V Battery Voltage Chart
Individual LiFePO4 cells typically have a 3.2V nominal voltage. The cells are fully charged at 3.65V, and at 2.5V, they become fully discharged. Here's a 3.2V battery voltage chart:
12V Battery Voltage Chart
12V 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries are a great upgrade for 12V lead acid batteries. They are one of the safest batteries for off-grid solar systems. When they are fully charged, the battery voltage becomes 14.6V. It drops to 10 volts when fully discharged. The below 12V LiFePO4 battery voltage chart reveals how the voltage drops with respect to battery capacity.
24V Battery Voltage Chart
You can either purchase a 24V LiFePO4 battery or buy two identical 12V LiFePO4 batteries and connect them in series. These batteries are fully charged at 29.2V and drop to 20 volts when discharging.
48V Battery Voltage Chart
48V batteries are generally used in larger solar power systems. The high-voltage solar system keeps the amperage low, helping you save high on equipment and wiring costs.
LiFePO4 Battery Charging & Discharging
A battery's SoC (state of charge) indicates the remaining capacity that can be discharged over the battery pack's total capacity. Suppose you have a battery pack rated 100Ah and still have 30Ah left to discharge. In this case, the SoC will be 30%.
In other words, if you charge the battery to 100Ah and then discharge around 70Ah, it will still have 30Ah left. The SoC of a battery depends on its voltage and vice versa. When the battery is charged, the voltage increases.
The following SoC and LiFePO4 charge voltage chart reveals the relationship between the two parameters.
SOC (100%)
Voltage (V)
100
3.60-3.65
90
3.50-3.55
80
3.45-3.50
70
3.40-3.45
60
3.35-3.40
50
3.30-3.35
40
3.25-3.30
30
3.20-3.25
20
3.10-3.20
10
2.90-3.00
0
2.00-2.50
State of the Charge Curve
There are different ways to determine the battery's SoC, such as voltage, counting coulombs, and specific gravity.
- Voltage:The higher the battery voltage, the fuller the battery is. In order to get accurate results, you must keep the battery at rest for at least four hours before measuring. Some manufacturers even recommend around 24 hours of rest.
- Counting Coulombs:It measures the current flowing in and out of the battery and uses ampere-second (As) to measure the battery's charging and discharging rate.
- Specific Gravity:You need a hydrometer to measure the SoC. It works by monitoring the liquid density based on buoyancy.
If you want to extend the battery's lifespan, you need to charge the LiFePO4 battery properly. Each battery type has a level of voltage that must be reached to get maximum performance while improving the battery's health. You may use the SoC chart as a guide while recharging the batteries. For example, 90% charge for a 24V battery is 26.8V.
The state of the charge curve indicates how the 1-cell battery voltage varies depending on charging time.
LiFePO4 Battery Charging Parameters
Some basic LiFePO4 battery charging parameters include different types of voltages, such as charging, float, maximum/minimum, and nominal. The below table reveals the battery charging parameters at 3.2V, 12V, 24V, and 48V.
Characteristics
3.2V
12V
24V
48V
Charging Voltage
3.5~3.65V
14.2~14.6V
28.4V~29.2V
56.8V~58.4V
Float Voltage
3.2V
13.6V
27.2V
54.4V
Maximum Voltage
3.65V
14.6V
29.2V
58.4V
Minimum Voltage
2.5V
10V
20V
40V
Nominal Voltage
3.2V
12V/12.8V
24V/25.6V
48V/51.2V
Float, Bulk, and Equalize Voltage of LiFePO4
One important thing to note is that lithium only supports bulk charging. Once the LiFePO4 battery is fully charged, it shuts off.
The three most common types of voltages include bulk, float, and equalize.
Bulk Voltage: This is the voltage at which the battery is charged faster. It usually occurs during the initial stage of charging, when the battery is completely discharged. The bulk voltage of a 12-volt LiFePO4 battery is 14.6V.
Float Voltage: Generally lower than the bulk voltage, it is the maintained voltage once the battery is fully charged. The float voltage of a 12-volt LiFePO4 battery is 13.5V.
Equalize Voltage: Equalization is an important process that must be performed regularly to maintain the battery capacity. The 12-volt LiFePO4 battery's equalized voltage is 14.6V.
Types
3.2V
12V
24V
48V
Bulk
3.65V
14.6V
29.2V
58.4V
Float
3.375V
13.5V
27.0V
54.0V
Equalize
3.65V
14.6V
29.2V
58.4V
Battery Discharge Curve
Discharge means the power is withdrawn from the battery to charge appliances. The battery discharge chart typically represents the relationship between voltage and discharge time.
Below is the 12V LiFePO4 discharge curve at different discharge rates.
One of the most important things you need to extend the battery's lifespan is DoD or Depth of Discharge. It is the discharged battery capacity in relation to its overall capacity. In other words, the more the LiFePO4 battery is charged and recharged, the shorter its lifespan will be.
The discharge is typically shown using charts and curves. You will need to look at the depth of discharge to determine the fraction of power withdrawn from a battery. A battery discharge rate is the process when the battery completely loses its charge.
The following table reveals the batteries with different Ah ratings and their maximum discharge current at different time intervals.
Battery or Battery Pack Ah Rating
7 Minute Maximum Discharge Current
30 Minute Maximum Discharge Current
5Ah
15 Amps
10 Amps
7Ah
21 Amps
14 Amps
8Ah
24 Amps
16 Amps
9Ah
27 Amps
18 Amps
10Ah
31 Amps
21 Amps
12Ah
36 Amps
24 Amps
14Ah
42 Amps
31 Amps
15Ah
44 Amps
32 Amps
18Ah
57 Amps
40 Amps
22Ah
66 Amps
46 Amps
35Ah
105 Amps
84 Amps
What Are The Effects of LiFePO4 Battery Voltage on Performance?
LiFePO4 battery voltage affects the performance, power it can deliver, the overall lifespan, and the amount of energy it can store.
Capacity: The two important terms &#; battery capacity and voltage &#; are directly proportional to one another. When the voltage increases, the battery capacity also increases. This means a 24V LiFePO4 battery has a higher capacity than a 12V battery of the same size.
Charging: All the LiFePO4 batteries need a specific charging voltage and current for best performance. When the charging voltage is too low, the battery will not charge fully, eventually reducing capacity. If the voltage becomes too high, it often contributes to overcharging and can damage the battery.
Discharging: The discharge voltage of the LiFePO4 battery also affects the performance. When you discharge the battery below the recommended voltage level, it leads to irreversible battery damage and reduces its lifespan.
Efficiency: LiFePO4's battery is directly proportional to the voltage. A higher voltage battery is more efficient in supplying power to the devices. If you want a highly efficient LiFePO4 battery, consider choosing a higher voltage of LiFePO4.
Lifespan: A LiFePO4 battery with higher voltage may have a longer lifespan than a low-voltage battery. This means a higher voltage battery can handle more charge cycles.
How to Check LiFePO4 Battery Capacity?
Checking the LiFePO4 battery capacity is one of the best ways to keep it safe and enhance its lifespan. Below are the three simple methods to measure the capacity and ensure it is not fully discharged.
Method 1: Check via Multimeter
Checking the open circuit battery voltage via a multimeter method is moderately accurate. However, there is one downside. You'll have to disconnect all loads and chargers and keep the battery at rest.
First, you must remove the loads and chargers attached to the LiFePO4 battery. Wait 15-30 minutes before measuring the open circuit voltage using the multimeter. You can compare it with the SoC chart in your battery manual or the voltage curve chart.
Method 2: Use a Battery Monitor
This is one of the most accessible and reliable methods to measure battery capacity. All you need to do is connect a high-quality battery monitor to the battery and determine the charge level.
Method 3: Use a Solar Charge Controller
Using the solar charge controller to determine the battery capacity may seem convenient, but it is not a very accurate method. The voltage reading is mainly inaccurate as the measurement is done with loads and chargers attached.
Other Types of Batteries & Their Voltage Charts
Besides LiFePO4, there are many other batteries available in the market. In this section, we will reveal different types of batteries and their voltage charts.
Lithium Battery Voltage Chart
The lithium-ion batteries are popular choices for modern electronics, portable devices, and electric vehicles. They have better performance than their traditional counterparts and are best known for their high energy density. Additionally, they are highly efficient and have quick charging capabilities, making them ideal for many applications. Here's a lithium-ion battery voltage chart at 12V, 24V, and 48V.
Capacity (%)
1 Cell
12 Volt
24 Volt
48 Volt
100
3.40
13.6
27.2
54.4
90
3.35
13.4
26.8
53.6
80
3.32
13.3
26.6
53.1
70
3.30
13.2
26.4
52.8
60
3.27
13.1
26.1
52.3
50
3.26
13.0
26.0
52.2
40
3.25
13.0
26.0
52.0
30
3.22
12.9
25.8
52.5
20
3.20
12.8
25.6
51.2
10
3.00
12.0
24.0
48.0
0
2.50
10.0
20.0
40.0
Lead-Acid Battery Voltage Chart
Lead-acid is one of the oldest rechargeable battery chemistries and was a traditional choice in many applications. You can find these batteries in diesel-fueled or gasoline vehicles that require large energy bursts for starting the engine. Even though these batteries are cost effective, they have shorter lifespan and low energy density compared to new technologies. Here's a lead-acid battery voltage chart for a 6V sealed and flooded lead-acid battery.
Capacity
6V Sealed Lead Acid Battery
6V Flooded Lead Acid Battery
100%
6.44V
6.32V
90%
6.39V
6.26V
80%
6.33V
6.20V
70%
6.26V
6.15V
60%
6.20V
6.09V
See also:What is the 40-80 Rule for Lithium Ion Batteries?
If you want to learn more, please visit our website nimh charging curve.
50%
6.11V
6.03V
40%
6.05V
5.98V
30%
5.98V
5.94V
20%
5.90V
5.88V
10%
5.85V
5.82V
0%
5.81V
5.79V
Lead-Acid Deep Cycle Battery Voltage Chart
The deep cycle batteries can provide steady power for long periods. They are ideal for situations that need consistent energy output, such as recreational vehicles or renewable energy systems. The new valve regulated lead acid deep cycle batteries like AGM and Gel are known for greater DoD (depth of discharge). Here's a lead acid deep cycle battery voltage chart at 12V, 24V, and 48V.
Capacity
12V
24V
48V
100% (charging)
13.00V
26.00V
52.00V
99%
12.80V
25.75V
51.45V
90%
12.75V
25.55V
51.10V
80%
12.50V
25.00V
50.00V
70%
12.30V
24.60V
49.20V
60%
12.15V
24.30V
48.60V
50%
12.05V
24.10V
48.20V
40%
11.95V
23.90V
47.80V
30%
11.81V
23.62V
47.24V
20%
11.66V
23.32V
46.64V
10%
11.51V
23.02V
46.04V
0%
10.50V
21.00V
42.00V
Jackery LiFePO4 Portable Power Stations
Jackery is the pioneer in manufacturing superior-quality solar products, including solar panels, solar generators, and power stations. Whether you're living off-grid, camping, or want a backup solution for your home, Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations has your back.
Jackery Solar Generators combine highly efficient Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels and Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations that work in tandem to produce electricity. When placed under direct sunlight, the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels absorb and eventually convert the solar energy into electricity. The Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations converts the DC to AC current to charge electrical appliances.
Jackery Explorer Plus Portable Power Station
If you are looking for a large home battery backup that can charge 99% of household appliances, then the Jackery Explorer Plus Portable Power Station is an ideal choice. It has a LiFePO4 battery with a lifespan of cycles, after which it will still retain 70% of the total battery capacity. It has multiple output ports to charge multiple household or outdoor appliances simultaneously. If you want to expand the battery capacity from 2kWh to 24kWh, you can add up to 5 Jackery Battery Pack Plus with each Jackery Explorer Plus Portable Power Station.
Appliance running time:
AC (W) = 1.7H
Kettle (850W) = 2H
Coffee maker (550W) = 3.1H
Mobile (30W) = 57.8H
Jackery Explorer Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer Plus Portable Power Station is a compact size charging solution that can supply stable electricity to 99% appliances. It has a lifespan of cycles after which the battery capacity drops to 70% capacity. The LiFePO4 battery boosts a lifespan of 10-year and can provide a pure sine wave and constant voltage. The stable power output and innovative ChargeShield technology protect the equipment against damage and ensure safe operation.
Appliance running time:
AC (W) = 1H
Kettle (850W) = 1.2H
Mobile (30W) = 35.8H
Coffee Maker (550W) = 1.9H
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station weighs only 8.27 lbs and is ideal for camping, road trips, etc. It features 52 protective mechanisms, 4 types of physical protection, and 12 BMS algorithms to improve overall safety. The durable LFP (or LiFePO4) battery, coupled with upgraded BMS technology, offers up to 10 years of lifespan. It can be recharged with book-sized Jackery SolarSaga 40W Solar Panels that can also slip into your backpack.
Appliance running time:
Drone (90W) = 5 times
Camera (8.4W) = 12 times
Mobile Phones = 13 times
CPAP machines (30W) = 8.1H
How to Increase The LiFePO4 Battery Lifespan?
LiFePO4 is a reliable and long-lasting battery that has recently gained popularity. With appropriate maintenance, these batteries can last up to ten years.
Here are a few factors that can affect the 12V LiFePO4 battery lifespan.
- Temperature plays one of the vital roles in improving the lifespan of LiFePO4 batteries. For this reason, you must store and utilize the LiFePO4 battery in a moderate temperature range to improve longevity and optimal performance.
- When you charge or discharge the battery too quickly, it can lead to heat buildup and even damage the battery's internal components. It's recommended to charge and discharge the battery at a recommended value.
- Over-discharging any LiFePO4 battery can cause irreversible damage to the battery and can even reduce its lifespan. It is advised to keep the DoD of the LiFePO4 battery below 80% to maximize its lifespan.
One of the simple methods to boost the lifespan or charging/discharging rates is by increasing the battery's Ah capacity. The nylon tape around the cells and keeping the battery at a cool temperature can also improve the lifespan.
Voltage
Capacity
Charge Cycles
Lifespan (Above 80% Original Capacity)
(V)
(Ah %)
(If charged and discharged to each of these voltages every day)
(Charged once a day)
14.4V
100%
cycles
9 years
13.6V
100%
cycles
9 years
13.4V
99%
cycles
9 years
13.3V
90%
cycles
12.5 years
13.2V
70%
cycles
20 years
13.1V
40%
cycles
20 years
13.0V
30%
cycles
20 years
12.9V
20%
cycles
20 years
12.8V
17%
cycles
16.5 years
12.5V
14%
cycles
12.5 years
12.0V
9%
cycles
12.5 years
10.0V
0%
cycles
9 years
LiFePO4 Voltage Chart FAQs
What is the LiFePO4 charging voltage?
The LiFePO4 charging voltage lies somewhere between 3.50 - 3.65V. It's worth noting that the charging voltage of LiFePO4 cannot exceed 3.65V because Li batteries are generally sensitive to over current and over voltage.
What is the nominal lithium battery voltage?
Lithium batteries have a nominal voltage of around 3.7V per cell. When fully charged to 100%, the 12V lithium LiFePO4 battery can hold around 13.3 - 13.4V.
What is the voltage range of the LiFePO4 cell?
The nominal LiFePO4 cell voltage is 3.2V. These cells are fully discharged at 2.5V and charged at 3.65V. It's important to note that these values might vary depending on the cell&#;s specifications.
What is the minimum voltage damage for LiFePO4?
The minimum voltage damage for 12V LiFePO4 batteries is around 10V. If the LiFePO4 battery is discharged below the minimum voltage, it will likely be permanently damaged. That's why it's vital to check the LiFePO4 battery voltage chart and ensure you safely charge your batteries.
What is the low voltage cutoff for LiFePO4?
The low voltage cutoff for LiFePO4 is the predetermined voltage threshold below which any battery should not discharge. The value for LiFePO4 battery is around 2.5V per cell.
What voltage should LiFePO4 bulk absorb?
The LiFePO4 bulk/absorb voltage lies between 14.2 and 14.6 volts. A voltage of 14.0 volts is also possible with the help of some absorb time. Slightly higher voltages of around 14.8-15.0 volts are also possible before disconnecting the battery.
How do I know if my LiFePO4 battery is bad?
No battery can last forever, no matter how good it is. A LiFePO4 battery may start degrading after a few years, and you may see some signs of degradation. Here are a few of them.
- The 12V LiFePO4 batterytakes longer to charge than usual or cannot charge at all.
- The electronic device powers off unexpectedly, even when there is plenty of battery left.
- LiFePO4 battery may become overinflated after a few years, which is a sign of a damaged or bad battery.
Final Thoughts
The LiFePO4 voltage chart can help you understand the performance levels of the batteries. Once you read and understand the LiFePO4 voltage chart, it will help you know how useful these batteries are for power backup systems.
Jackery Portable Power Stations feature highly efficient LiFePO4 batteries and can charge most home or outdoor appliances. They have a long lifespan, large battery capacity, and ergonomic design, making them an ideal choice for emergency backup solutions or outdoor adventures.
The Ultimate Guide of LiFePO4 Battery
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 times if under common conditions.
For more basic information, you can also check Wikipedia.
Lithium iron phosphate battery
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 example, BattleBorn 12.8V battery is the same size case as the original lead-acid battery, could be directly replaced and upgraded.
BattleBorn 12V100Ah LiFePO4 BatteryFor 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.
Modular LiFePO4 Battery 48V100AhFor 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.
How to Choose the Right LiFePO4 Battery for Your Applications?Telecom Base Station
Modular 48V LiFePO4 battery is more popular for large energy storage systems (ESS) used in communication base stations.
With the development of lithium-ion battery technology, because of its high energy density, high stability, high-temperature performance, super long cycle life, environmentally friendly, and other advantages, LiFePO4 batteries are more and more widely used.
The harsh environment and humidity have a significant influence on the stability of telecom base stations. Therefore, a well-performing battery is very important for stabilizing the network signal. This is exactly where LiFePO4 batteries come into action. In addition, the presence of 5G technology will drive the demand for LiFePO4 batteries in telecom base stations. As the cost of Li-ion batteries decreases, LiFePO4 batteries are gradually becoming a more economical investment for telecom towers.
LiFePO4 Battery for TelecomNow 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.
LiF4PO4 Battery for UPS SystemIn 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:
How to Properly Charge LiFePO4 Battery?
The charge process of LiFePO4 batteries is similar to lead-acid batteries. It can also be divided into three stages.
Constant Current (CC) Charge:
Constant charging current, e.g. 0.5C, the voltage is continuously increasing during the charge, reaching the max voltage. (Such as 14.6V)
Constant Voltage (CV) Charge:
Constant voltage, slowly the current decreases to below 0.05C.
Trickle Charge:
This part can also be called float charge, but for LiFePO4 batteries, float charge is not necessary.
If lead-acid batteries do not reach 100% SOC, sulphation will happen on plates. It will result in a capacity loss.
But there is no need for LiFePO4 battery to charge to 100%, there is no sulphation. On the contrary, if a LiFePO4 battery is overcharged, too many lithium ions will accumulate at one end of the electrode, which will lead to electron escape.
The best charge/discharge cycle for LiFePO4 battery is 10% to 90%, but in my opnion, 5% to 95% is good enough.
Charge Current
It is recommended to keep the charging current of LiFePO4 batteries below 0.5C, as overheating due to rapid charging can cause a negative effect on the battery. Although the current limit for your battery is 1C or higher.
Lead-acid batteries are generally recommended to be charged under 0.2C.
Charge Voltage
The charge voltage of LiFePO4 battery is recommended to be 14.0V to 14.6V at 25&#;, meaning 3.50V to 3.65V per cell. The best recommended charge voltage is 14.4V, which is 3.60V per cell. Compared to 3.65V per cell, there is only a little of the capacity reduced, but you will have a lot more cycles.
If the battery voltage exceeds, please stop charging immediately. Even if your BMS has a protection cut-off, it is better not to trigger it.
LiFePO4 battery does not need to be float-charged.
If the charger has a float voltage setting, it is recommended to set the float voltage at 13.6V. Then it will not have a charging effect on the battery.
Charge Temperature
The charging temperature range for LiFePO4 batteries is 0°C to 55°C.
It is not recommended to charge below 0°C, theoretically, it is allowed a small current of 0.05C to 0.1C. However, charge under 0°C will crystallize the lithium ions, thus reducing the effective capacity. So, if not necessary, do not charge below 0°C.
There is an advanced type of low-temperature LiFePO4 battery, with internal self-heating built-in, that can be charged at around -10°C.
The BMS controls to heat the battery internally to 5-10°C, which made the battery allowed to charge.
There are also specific low-temperature lithium battery can be charged at -20°C, but the cycle life is not good enough though.
Charge in Series
Before connecting LiFePO4 batteries in series, it is recommended all batteries be fully charged to achieve a high consistency of each battery. Because the circuit will shut down when one battery hits the high-end voltage, or low-end voltage, meanwhile, there can be energy left in other batteries.
Regularly check the battery voltage to keep the voltage difference within 50mV (0.05V), it will effectively extend the battery lifetime.
If the battery voltage difference is large, you can consider a Battery Balancer.
For more details on charging, please see below:
What are the different types of LiFePO4 Battery?
There are many different types of LiFePO4 battery, not only in the sizes and applications, but also it is different in the battery cells.
There are different shapes of battery cells and different current grades of the LiFePO4 battery cells.
For more details, please see below:
What is a good BMS for LiFePO4 Battery Pack?
A good BMS is, to do the protection job well, and have the necessary function that you want!
A basic BMS is also called as protection circuit board (PCB), but now the advanced BMS has more functions like below:
Temperature Protection
Smart BMS-Cell Balancing
Communication Module
Bluetooth Module
Electronic Switch
Self-heating module
GPS module
For more information:
How is a LiFePO4 Battery Produced?
LiFePO4 battery production can be mainly divided into 2 parts, one is the production of the battery cells, and the other is the assembling, which means the assembly of the battery cells into the various final battery packs we use.
MonoBlock LiFePO4 Battery Instead of Lead-Acid Battery
Now a lot of people are choosing LiFePO4 battery instead of lead-acid battery, because of the super long cycle life and high constant working power.
Yes, LiFePO4 battery is a good drop-in replacement of lead-acid battery in most conditions because the voltage is similar.
The working voltage of lead-acid battery system is always like 12V, 24V, 48V, and higher.
LiFePO4 battery is 3.2V per cell, so there can be many solutions like 12.8V, 25.6V, 48.0V, 51.2V, and upper.
One battery pack with 4 single LiFePO4 cells in series is 12.8V, which is close to 12V, the voltage of the popular 6 cells lead-acid batteries.
The voltages are still in the range of the existed chargers, controllers, inverters. So LiFePO4 battery pack is well suited to replace the original lead-acid batteries without changing anything else. As well as in 24V, 48V systems and higher.
Our MonoBlock LiFePO4 battery is designed to replace the original lead-acid battery directly, not only in the similar voltage but also in the same containers.
Please note, SYNERTAC is a registered trademark of Sunon Battery.
Super Longer Cycle Life
Compared to lead-acid batteries, LiFePO4 battery has more than 8 times the cycle life of deep-cycle lead-acid batteries.
The typical recommended DOD (Depth of Discharge) for LiFePO4 batteries is 80% to 90%. It is much higher than 50%, which is recommended for deep cycle lead batteries. Actually, the usable capacity of LiFePO4 battery is 1.8 times of a deep-cycle lead-acid battery while the same Ampere Hour.
Even one LiFePO4 battery is much more expensive than lead-acid battery, but in the long term, LiFePO4 battery is actually cheaper. The cycle life of LiFePO4 battery can reach - times. If we consider for 5 years, 10 years, or even more, LiFePO4 battery is no doubt the better option.
Safe and Stable
Due to the chemical stability, and thermal stability of lithium iron phosphate, the safety performance of LiFePO4 batteries is equivalent to lead-acid batteries.
Also, there is the BMS to protect the battery pack from over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, and more, temperature protection. With triple protection, the LiFePO4 battery is safe.
With the protections of BMS, LiFePO4 battery can be safer even than lead-acid battery, because there will not be over-charge, or over-temperature.
Zero Maintenance
No maintenance is required.
VRLA batteries still require appropriate maintenance and effective control of voltage & current, to achieve the best working condition and cycle life. Meanwhile, LiFePO4 batteries require no maintenance due to the BMS protection.
Even smarter, our modular LiFePO4 battery has been built with a data monitoring chip of voltage, current, temperature. The BMS will detect any abnormal condition on its own, thus avoiding potential problems at the very earliest.
Lighter
LiFePO4 Batteries are less than half the weight of lead-acid batteries, saving labor & time cost in installation, replacements, and maintenance.
For example, one 12V100Ah deep cycle AGM battery is around 30kg, while 12.8V100Ah LiFePO4 battery is only 12kg.
High Charge Acceptance Rate
The charging efficiency of LiFePO4 batteries is over 96-99%, compared to 80%-90% for lead-acid batteries. It means a much lower percentage of energy is lost.
In the case of the solar system, it means more energy is saved. Sometimes, it can be critical whether the power is enough, whether the system can be constantly working.
Besides, LiFePO4 battery can be charged to over 90% full within 2 hours, while lead-acid battery always takes 8hours and more.
Higher Power | Discharge Rate | Current Limit
For energy storage type, the max constant discharge current of LiFePO4 battery is 0.5C-1C, while the lead-acid battery is only 0.1C-0.3C. Otherwise, the cycle life of lead battery will be greatly reduced.
In this way, high-power appliances or inverters can easily run with LiFePO4 batteries and may be limited if with lead batteries.
But there is also one thing you should take care of. When the current is over the BMS limit, LiFePO4 battery will cut down the circuit, which lead-acid battery will not.
For example, if your solar system inverter is 5kW, with a 48V100Ah system, both LiFePO4 and lead-acid battery systems will not cut down the power supply.
But if with a 6kW inverter, while the total current reaches 117A, which is over 100A(1C). LiFePO4 battery will cut down the circuit if 100A is the current limit. You have to upgrade the battery to higher current or bigger capacity. Or low down the inverter.
It also happens in power appliances, such as low-speed vehicles. For the motors, there is a peak power with a much higher current than rated power, the current limit should be released.
Working well in high temperature
LiFePO4 battery has a much better high-temperature tolerance.
At a room temperature of 50°C, the cycle life of lead-acid batteries is greatly reduced, while LiFePO4 batteries have no significant influence.
LiFePO4 batteries can work as usual at 50°C.
Weakness: Not allowed to charge below 0 °C.
All lithium batteries are not recommended to charge below 0°C.
That&#;s why we developed an internal self-heating solution. This solution can be charged at room temperature above -10°C, adapted to cold weather.
If below -20°C, special cell materials are required, but the cycle life is still not ideal. The cycle life under -20°C is always around 300~400 cycles.
Victron Battery in ColdLiFePO4 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.
More 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.
More 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.
For more 3.2v rechargeable batteryinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.