Discover possible causes and solutions to maximize performance and lifetime of your LiFePO4 battery. If the battery won’t activate and allow charge/discharge over 1A, severe overdischarge is likely. Self-discharge or parasitic loads can deplete cells below 10V. Use a lithium battery charger on activation or force charge mode to revive.
LiFePO4 batteries, with their cells that hold their charge indefinitely and don't leak off their charge, are used in modern eBike batteries. These batteries use Lithium Iron Phosphate chemistry with multiple cells arranged together in a grid to provide the correct voltage, current, and capacity.
Try it out yourself - The only surefire way to know if it will work is to strap on a lithium battery and see what happens. LiFePO4 batteries are very stable and will not catch fire or explode.
Make sure you always use a lithium charger and not one meant for other battery chemistries. LiFePO4 batteries have a low self-discharge rate of 2% a month. This means that when a lithium battery is stored, it’ll lose 2% of its charge capacity every month.
LiFePO4 batteries should be charged to approximately 3.5VDC per cell 'top-off' voltage. Keeping the battery at this voltage keeps the internal electrodes at their most active and prevents unnecessary wear. Once the battery is fully charged, unplug the charger.
LiFePO4 batteries are far less prone to catching fire or shorting issues compared to Lithium Ion batteries. LiFePO4 cells also hold their charge indefinitely and do not leak off their charge or go dead over time.