Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries (LiFePO4) - Charging Methods

1. LITHIUM IRON PHOSPHATE BATTERIES (LIFEPO4) - CHARGING METHODS How to charge LiFePO4 batteries? That is one of the most frequent questions we get from our customers. The answer is simple: obviously, you should use a LiFePO4 battery charger. While charging LiFePO4 batteries, verify that you are not using a charger meant for other lithium-ion chemistries, which are generally designed- with a higher voltage than what is required by LiFePO4. We are generally asked if a lead-acid battery charger can be used to charge lithium iron phosphate. The exact answer is yes, as long as the voltage settings are within the acceptable parameters of LiFePO4 batteries. CHARGER INSPECTION While using a LiFePO4 charger, check that your charger’s cables are reclusive and free of breakage. Charger terminal connectors should be clean and well companion with the battery terminals to ensure a good connection and optimum conductivity. CHARGING GUIDELINES If LiFePO4 batteries are not entirely discharged, they do not need to be charged after using individually. LiFePO4 batteries are not damaged when left in a partial state of charge (PSOC). You can charge your LiFePO4 batteries after using or while they discharged up to 80% DOD (20% SOC). In case; the Battery Management System BMS) disconnects the battery due to low voltage (voltage will be <10V), remove the load and charge instantly using a LiFePO4 battery charger. CHARGING TEMPERATURE

2. LiFePO4 batteries can be carefully charged - between 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F). LiFePO4 batteries do not require temperature compensation for voltage while charging at hot or cold temperatures. All LiFePO4 batteries come with an internal BMS that keeps the battery from low and high temperatures. If the BMS disconnects due to low temperature, the battery must be hot for the BMS to reconnect and accept the charging current. If the BMS disconnects because of immense temperature, the battery needs to cool down ahead of the BMS. Please refer to your specific battery’s datasheet for the BMS low-temperature and high-temperature cut-off and reconnect values. The charging and discharging temperature for lithium batteries from our LT series is - 20°C in cold temperatures. These batteries have a built-in heating system featuring proprietary technology that ties to power from the charger. No extra components are required. The overall process of heating and charging is seamless. The heating system naturally activates once charging below 0°C is attempted, and it naturally deactivates when it’s no longer needed. The heating system does not take power from the battery but rather from the charger, assuring the lithium battery is not discharging itself and safekeeping you powered. Naturally, plug the LT lithium battery into the LiFePO4 charger, and the internal heating and monitoring systems take care of the rest. HOW TO CHARGE LIFEPO4 BATTERIES ALONG WITH A LEAD-ACID CHARGER? Many lead-acid battery chargers; can be used with LiFePO4 batteries as long as they are within the applicable voltage guidelines. AGM and Gel algorithms generally fall within the LiFePO4 voltage requirements. The voltage for flooded battery charging algorithms is often more than LiFePO4 charging requirements. If it happens, it is commonly good practice to replace your charger with a LiFePO4 charge profile. Since the BMS protects the battery, using lead-acid chargers will generally not damage the battery. In case BMS disconnects due to low voltage, a lead-acid battery charger may not be able to restore the BMS, even if the charger has adequate charging parameters to charge LiFePO4 battery Australia. This is because when the BMS disconnects, the lithium battery will not have a voltage as it will read 0V on a voltmeter, while lead-acid chargers require the battery to read out a voltage to start charging. If the battery is reading 0V, the lead-acid battery charger will not be able to understand that a battery is connected and that it should start charging. This is also true for some low-quality lithium chargers. It is always recommended that you invest in a high-quality LiFePO4 charger to ensure high performance and longevity.