Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) batteries are known for their exceptional safety, longevity, and reliability. As these batteries continue to gain popularity across various applications, understanding the correct charging methods is essential to ensure optimal performance and extend their lifespan.
If you’ve recently purchased or are researching lithium iron phosphate batteries (referred to lithium or LiFePO4 in this blog), you know they provide more cycles, an even distribution of power delivery, and weigh less than a comparable sealed lead acid (SLA) battery. Did you know they can also charge four times faster than SLA?
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries offer an outstanding balance of safety, performance, and longevity. However, their full potential can only be realized by adhering to the proper charging protocols.
Avoid Lead-Acid Chargers: It’s crucial to avoid using lead-acid battery chargers with LiFePO4 batteries, as they can damage the battery. Once you’ve selected the right charger, follow these steps for safe and efficient charging:
Frequent shallow charging—where the battery is topped off without being fully drained—helps prolong the overall lifespan of LiFePO4 batteries. Unlike lead-acid batteries, which benefit from periodic deep discharges, LiFePO4 batteries experience less wear from shallow cycles. 3. Monitor Charging Conditions
Unlike the lead-acid battery, a number of LiFePO4 cells in a battery pack in series connection cannot balance each other during charging process. This is because the charge current stops flowing when the cell is full. This is why the LiFEPO4 packs need management boards.