What You Need To Know About Lithium Iron Phosphate(LiFePO4) Batteries
All lithium chemistries are not created equal. In fact, most of us – electronic enthusiasts aside – are only familiar with a limited range of lithium solutions. The most common versions are built from cobalt oxide, manganese oxide and nickel oxide formulations.
First, let’s take a step back in time. Lithium-ion batteries are a much newer innovation and have only been around for the last 28 years. Over this time, lithium technologies have increased in popularity as they have proven to be valuable in powering smaller electronics – like laptops and cell phones. But as you may recall from several news stories over recent years, lithium-ion batteries also gained a reputation for catching fire. Until recent years, this was one of the main reasons lithium wasn’t commonly used to create large battery banks.
But then came along lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), a subdivided type of lithium ion battery. This newer type of lithium solution is taking “charge” of the battery world, for the reason that it is now known as the safest, most stable, and most reliable lithium battery type currently available on the market today.
What makes LiFePO4 batteries better than other lithium batteries? See why they’re the top of their class, and a worthy investment:
• Safe, Stable Chemistry
Lithium battery safety is important. The newsworthy “exploding” lithium-ion laptop batteries have made that clear.
LiFePO4 batteries are best known for their strong safety profile, the result of extremely stable chemistry. Phosphate-based batteries offer superior thermal and chemical stability which provides an increase in safety over lithium-ion batteries made with other cathode materials. Lithium phosphate cells are incombustible, which is an important feature in the event of mishandling during charging or discharging. They can also withstand harsh conditions, be it freezing cold, scorching heat or rough terrain.
If you subject a LiFePO4 battery to harsh temperatures or hazardous events (like short circuiting or a crash) it won’t start a fire or explode. For those who use deep cycle LiFePO4 batteries every day in an RV, bass boat, scooter, or liftgate, this fact is comforting.
• Environmental Safety
LiFePO4 batteries are already a boon to our planet because they’re rechargeable. But their Eco-friendliness doesn’t stop there. Unlike lead acid whose internal chemicals degrade structure over team and eventually cause leakage, they are non-toxic and won’t leak.
You can recycle them as well. But you won’t need to do that often, since they last 2,500 cycles. That means you can recharge them (at least) 2,500 times. In comparison, lead acid batteries last only 300-400 cycles.
• Excellent Efficiency and Performance
You want a safe, non-toxic battery. But you also want a battery that’s going to perform well. These stats prove that LiFePO4 delivers all that and more:
• Charge efficiency: a LiFePO4 battery will reach full charge in 2 hours or less.
• Self-discharge rate when not in use: Only 2% per month. (Compared to 30% for lead acid batteries).
• Runtime is higher than lead acid batteries/other lithium batteries.
• Consistent power:same amount of amperage even when below 50% battery life.
• No maintenance needed.
• Support connected in series and parallel mode for expansion
• Built-in BMS monitors its operation and prevents the battery from operating outside design limitations
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So, if you’re looking for a battery to stand the test of time and charge quickly, LiFePO4 is the answer.
• Small Size and Lightweight
Many factors weigh in to make LiFePO4 batteries better. Speaking of weighing–they are total lightweights. At one-third the weight of most lead-acid batteries and almost half the weight of the popular manganese oxide, LiFePO4 provides an effective way to make use of space and weight. In other words, LiFePO4 batteries are almost 50% lighter than lithium manganese oxide batteries. They weigh up to 70% lighter than lead acid batteries.
When you use your LiFePO4 battery in a vehicle, this translates to less gas usage, and more maneuverability. They are also compact, freeing up space on your scooter, boat, RV, or industrial application.
Anyway, LiFePO4 batteries have a lengthy list of benefits that make them the best choice for an RV and many other battery bank applications. Ease of use. Safety. Eco-friendliness. More power!
If you are interested in LiFePO4 batteries and want to know more details, please leave a message here, and we will reply you as soon as we can.