What is LiFePO4?
LiFePO4 Battery is a rechargeable lithium ion battery type that contains iron Phosphate (FePO4) as the cathode material.
It is known as a very robust and smart investment compared to other lithium battery types, this is because it does not contain nickel and cobalt unlike traditional lithium battery technologies thanks to its different chemical composition.
You can continue reading the rest of the article to find out why LiFePO4 batteries, which are the most reliable product among lithium battery technologies and are very popular in electricity storage, are so preferred.
Characteristics of Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries
Offering more advantageous opportunities compared to the features used in other lithium ion battery technologies, lifepo4 highlights are as follows:
Weight: It is 40% lighter than different types of lithium batteries.
Wide Temperature Range: -20 C ~ 60 C. It provides comfortable use in industrial applications and many areas with its temperature range.
Safety: Thanks to its iron phosphate chemistry, it prevents situations such as overcharging, high impact or risk of combustion.
Flexibility: With the modular design used, lifepo4 battery can support up to 10 batteries in parallel and up to 4 batteries in series.
Long Life: It has up to 20 times longer life, so replacement and maintenance costs are low.
Thanks to the prominent features above, lifepo4 battery brings many advantages to our lives. let’s get information about the advantages and disadvantages of these batteries.
Advantages of Lifepo4 Batteries
Environmentally Friendly
lifepo4 batteries are included in rechargeable battery types, this advantage makes lifepo4 battery products no threat to the environment. Although they contain non-polluting substances, they do not leak.
Productivity
Performance is a factor when choosing a battery. We can list the reason why LiFePO4 batteries are preferred over other batteries in terms of performance as follows:
- Lithium-ion batteries last longer than lead-acid and other batteries, in short LiFePO4 batteries can last more than 10 years.
- They are lighter than other batteries.
- Operating performance is better than batteries used in similar jobs.
- They have less charging time.
Less Volume
In terms of user experience, LiFePO4 batteries are less bulky than other alternatives available on the market. Let’s give an example of the benefits of light weight; Since these batteries will consume less energy, you will be able to save money in terms of transport. In addition, thanks to their small size, they take up less space in vehicles such as a motorised scooter or electric wheelchair.
Reliability
Among the lithium batteries available on the market, LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries are the safest batteries. The reason for this is the phosphate cathodes in the chemical structure it contains. Thanks to these chemicals, which are tightly bonded with oxygen molecules, the possibility of explosion is also eliminated.
Disadvantages of LiFePO4 Batteries
- The LiFePO4 lithium battery may experience battery stability issues as it ages and has a high discharge rate compared to other batteries.
- LFP batteries, i.e. lithium iron phosphate batteries, have low energy density, more protection may be required.
- They may not perform well at low temperatures.
- These battery types are recommended for use in low-emission vehicles and bicycles instead of small devices such as smartphones.
Where are LifePo4 Batteries Used?
The application areas of LiFePO4 batteries, which greatly help our lives thanks to their ease of use, are as follows:
Electric Vehicles
LiFePO4 battery is widely used in logistics vehicles (forklifts, etc.) and low-speed electric vehicles due to its low cost and high safety advantages. Lithium iron phosphate batteries, which have recently increased in popularity, cover half of total battery shipments.
Energy Storage Systems
lithium iron phosphate batteries can also be used in large-scale electrical energy storage systems thanks to their many unique properties. UPS power supply, emergency power supply systems, renewable energy plants, etc. It meets the expectations well in applications used in areas such as.
Things to Consider When Using Lifepo4 Battery
If you have a lithium battery product, you must pay attention to the following situations:
- Do not exceed the maximum voltage settings provided by the manufacturer from which you purchased the battery.
- Lower voltage settings are generally preferred.
- Be careful not to overcharge the batteries.
- There is a bms (battery protection circuit) in the lithium battery, this device will stop its operation in an abnormal situation that may occur on the battery.
- It is not recommended to disconnect suddenly in case of high power charging.
How to Charge LifePo4 Battery?
One of the frequently asked questions is how to charge? The answer to the question is quite simple. LiFePO4 batteries have their own chargers. different chargers can also be used, but we recommend that you make sure that you do not use high-voltage chargers of other lithium types. Subsequently, different chargers can be charged if their voltage settings are the same as the values accepted by lifepo4 batteries.
In addition, it is useful to pay attention to some rules when charging. A few of these rules are as follows:
Charger Inspection: Before using your charger, check that the cables are insulated and unbroken, that the terminal connectors inside are clean, and that they mate properly with the battery terminals.
Device charging temperature value: Lithium LFP (LiFePO4) Batteries can be safely charged between 0°C and 45°C.
Be sure to observe the basic standards in the articles and the manufacturer’s recommended user manual.
Frequently Asked Questions About LiFePO4
Are LFP (LiFePO4) Batteries Safe?
Yes, the LFP lifepo4 battery has a safe chemical structure compared to other lithium battery types. abnormal charging, impact, shock, heating, etc. It is tested against all negative situations. Subsequently, all LFP lifepo4 batteries come with a BMS (Battery Protection Circuit).
Can an extra lithium battery be installed on the side of the LiFePO4 battery?
Yes, you can install upright or sideways. But if you are using it in your moving vehicles such as boats, caravans, etc. please do not forget to fix it.
How can I charge LiFePO4 batteries in cold weather?
LFP batteries can be charged in cold weather, the safe charging temperature range is between 0°C to 45°C. Otherwise, you can also charge between -20°C to 45°C.
For more detailed information about our LiFePO4 products, you can contact our expert team at the contact address. You may be interested in our blog posts “LiFePO4 battery guide for campers and caravans” and “Use of LiFePO4 battery in solar energy systems“.