BeerBrewer said:
I know from a cost perspective that it's cheaper to put together your own LiFePO4 battery than buy one ready made, but I'm wonering which is more reliable? Assuming that I purchase Grade a cells and good quality BMS.
I've looked at Battle Born, SOK, LiTime, Lion Energy and others. All of which have some sort warranty, some have 10 year, some 5 year, some less. I haven't read all of the warranty documents, but I have read a few. So far everyone I've read says that they will fix or replace the battery at their descretion. Which means that they get to decide if they want to honor their warranty or not. I guess this makes sense because a perfectly good battery can be ruined if connected wrong or treated improperly. What surprised me however was that none of the warrantees covered shipping costs or any of thee damage done in shipping. So it is possible that you could spend more on shipping than the battery is worth, except possibly with a Battle Born. They are still crazy expensive and frankly not in consideration, even though they come with a 10 year warranty. For instance a 12V LiTime 100AH with low temp protection is now selling for $279.99. I can't imagine with it would cost to ship it back and forth to China for repair, but its got to more than $279.99. So in my opinion, the LiTime warranty is basically worthless.
So how reliable are these batteries? Is a DIY LiFePO4 (using grade A cells and good BMS) more reliable than store bought?
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If you purchase a battery because it has a warranty, then I hope you value your money more than time.
Even &#;good&#; warranties usually involve considerable amounts of your time and energy and money.
But there are exceptions.
For example, I learned recently that the guy who sells the Overkill BMS will replace it for any reason. Even if you make a rookie error and fry it by connecting the positive and negative leads backwards. I believe he&#;ll simply send you a new one, no need to ship the fried one back.
There was a recent thread on here that demonstrated what looks like Battleborn weaseling their way out of replacing some batteries under warranty. The batteries have a manufacturing defect and the Battleborn warranty was apparently written by weasle like lawyers that gives Battleborn a way out of warranty service for defects made at the factory. In part because of this, Will Prowse has removed Battleborn from his list of recommended lithium batteries.
Build your own and not only will you learn something, you&#;ll never have to deal with lame companies that would make your hair turn gray if you tried to get warranty service. And buy an Overkill BMS.
IMO, after a ton of research, I found the Powerurus brand to be the best bang for the buck for a premade battery. It&#;s one of the few Will recommends on his website. I have not had to get mine warrantied, but the customer service has been some of the best I&#;ve had with any company I&#;ve ever dealt with. They STILL continue to answer all my post sale questions, usually within 24-48 hours. I paid $730 for 12v 200Ah with 200A BMS, free shipping, free 10a charger, no tax. Will has a good review of the 100Ah model. Powerurus are made by Roypow, which has a good long reputation in the lithium battery world. The BMS is even made by them and has Bluetooth, low and high temperature protection, no self heating though but I can add my own if I ever need that.
If you purchase a battery because it has a warranty, then I hope you value your money more than time.Even &#;good&#; warranties usually involve considerable amounts of your time and energy and money.But there are exceptions.For example, I learned recently that the guy who sells the Overkill BMS will replace it for any reason. Even if you make a rookie error and fry it by connecting the positive and negative leads backwards. I believe he&#;ll simply send you a new one, no need to ship the fried one back.There was a recent thread on here that demonstrated what looks like Battleborn weaseling their way out of replacing some batteries under warranty. The batteries have a manufacturing defect and the Battleborn warranty was apparently written by weasle like lawyers that gives Battleborn a way out of warranty service for defects made at the factory. In part because of this, Will Prowse has removed Battleborn from his list of recommended lithium batteries.Build your own and not only will you learn something, you&#;ll never have to deal with lame companies that would make your hair turn gray if you tried to get warranty service. And buy an Overkill BMS.IMO, after a ton of research, I found the Powerurus brand to be the best bang for the buck for a premade battery. It&#;s one of the few Will recommends on his website. I have not had to get mine warrantied, but the customer service has been some of the best I&#;ve had with any company I&#;ve ever dealt with. They STILL continue to answer all my post sale questions, usually within 24-48 hours. I paid $730 for 12v 200Ah with 200A BMS, free shipping, free 10a charger, no tax. Will has a good review of the 100Ah model. Powerurus are made by Roypow, which has a good long reputation in the lithium battery world. The BMS is even made by them and has Bluetooth, low and high temperature protection, no self heating though but I can add my own if I ever need that.
When you store LiFePO4 batteries, it is important to store them with a state of charge (SOC) of 50% or higher. When storing for a long time, using a higher charge state is recommended. If you want the batteries to maintain a good charge after the storage period is over, you should charge them to 100% and store them in a fully charged state.
LiFePO4 batteries have a low self-discharge rate of 2% per month. This means that when lithium batteries are stored, they lose 2% of their charging capacity every month. We recommend disconnecting all power from the battery to prevent a higher discharge rate.
The best way to store the battery is to physically disconnect the main positive and negative wires from the LiFePO4 lithium battery. This will ensure that the batteries will not discharge during storage, and when you use them again, they will have enough power.
Many customers have a main switch to disconnect the battery power. We recommend that you take additional measures to ensure that the battery is truly disconnected. This is because many camper vans still have components running in the background, such as carbon dioxide sensors, backlit stereos, or other emergency sensors that may bypass the main disconnect switch.
The proper storage of LiFePO4 batteries is vital in ensuring its longevity and preventing any potential hazards. The increasing popularity of LiFePO4 batteries is attributed to their lightweight design, high energy density, and eco-friendliness compared to conventional lead-acid batteries. However, to optimize the battery's benefits, knowing how to store it correctly is key.
This article centers on divulging the necessary details related to proper storage and handling of LiFePO4 batteries to extend its lifespan.
Why is Proper Storage of Lithium-ion and LiFePO4 Batteries Essential?
Even if the battery remains disconnected from external devices, internal chemical reactions can transpire.
LiFePO4 batteries necessitate fewer safety precautions than traditional lead-acid battery and other type's lithium-ion batteries. LFP batteries employ stable iron compounds and do not generate hazardous gases or explode. Despite this, LFP batteries entail a significant investment. The appropriate storage of LiFePO4 batteries ensures that your investment does not go to waste.
Several batteries possess an in-built protection mechanism---battery management system, offering a safe storage option for LiFePO4 batteries. However, it must be mentioned that the protection circuit ought not to be utilized when the batteries are kept in a discharged state. The protection circuit only applies to batteries that are charged to at least 40% to 50%, as explained further below.
How to Store LiFePO4 Batteries?
The primary factor that affects the storage of LiFePO4 batteries is the intended storage duration. Here are the key techniques for storing LiFePO4 batteries and specific recommendations for storage time.
Key Techniques for Storing Lithium Batteries
Switch Off: Nearly all manufacturers recommend storing lithium batteries after switching them off.
For RVs and motorhomes, using only the off switch on the electrical system does not disconnect the battery pack. Some components remain active, such as sensors, even without external loads to draw power. The correct way to disconnect the battery pack is to detach the [+] and [-] wires connected to the battery pack terminals.
Unlike other types of battery packs, lithium batteries do not require a trickle charge voltage and do not need to be powered during storage. LiFePO4 batteries have a self-discharge rate of 1-3% per month, so they retain most of the charge capacity during storage.
It is crucial to store lithium batteries away from sources of heat, radiators, or other heat sources. They contain chemicals that can overheat and explode when exposed to high temperatures for extended periods.
When storing batteries, keep them away from conductive objects such as terminal clips or other metals that may accidentally contact both battery terminals and cause a short circuit.
If the battery behaves abnormally after removal, it should not be used. Strange behavior includes any odor, liquid leakage, physical deformation, or other anomalies.
Avoid placing LiFePO4 batteries in strong magnetic fields while storing them, as these fields can disrupt or damage the battery management system on lithium-ion batteries.
Short-term Storage
Ensure that the battery is stored in a dry place and should not have any leakage or corrosive gases entering it. The wet temperature range for LiFePO4 batteries can be from -20 &#; to 35 &#; (-4 °F to 95 °F) . Any variation within this range will cause rust or liquid leakage in the battery, leading to reduced battery life or permanent failure.
When you switch off and store LiFePO4 batteries, it is highly recommended to charge them to at least 50% of their maximum charge capacity using a lithium charger. This ensures optimal charging when the battery is reconnected and helps maintain the overall battery condition.
Long-term Storage
Long-term storage increases the self-discharge rate. Self-discharge also increases when the battery warms up and is stored outside the recommended storage temperature. To address this issue, place LiFePO4 batteries in a warm location and charge them adequately before actual disconnection. The ideal temperature range is 10&#; to 35&#; (50°F to 95°F).
When the battery storage time exceeds three months, it's best to run a charging and discharging cycle every three months to keep the battery healthy and in good operating condition when removed for use.
Cold temperatures stop the internal chemical reactions of the battery, improving its health. Therefore, keeping the battery at freezing temperature is a good thing for long-term battery storage health. However, the battery self-degradation rate should be considered. It is best to charge the battery to 40% to 50% of its capacity to keep it in optimal condition.
Additional reading:Best Solar Panels For Homes Of August 2024
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Ideal Storage Temperature for LiFePO4 Batteries
For LiFePO4 batteries, the temperature range depends on the storage time. In general, please follow the guidelines below:
- Less than 30 days: -20&#; to 60&#; / -4°F to 140°F
- 30 to 90 days: -10&#; to 35&#; / 14°F to 95°F
- More than 90 days: 15&#; to 35&#; / 59°F to 95°F
Storing LiFePO4 Batteries in Cold Weather (Winter)
Low temperature is not a problem for lithium batteries because it slows down the internal chemical reactions within the battery, thus prolonging its life. However, although the battery chemistry is enhanced in cold weather, extremely low temperatures can cause some battery components, such as the plastic casing, to fracture. Therefore, it's best to keep lithium batteries indoors and avoid extremely cold temperatures. If you reside in an area with long winter seasons, it is crucial to prioritize batteries that come with low-temperature protection features.
Storing LiFePO4 Batteries in Hot Weather (Summer)
Storing LiFePO4 batteries in high temperatures or direct sunlight can pose a severe threat to the battery. Extreme temperatures can cause the battery to overheat internally, resulting in unnecessary chemical reactions that could cause uncontrolled battery voltage drop or even battery fires. Therefore, please avoid storing the battery for extended periods in high temperatures or outdoor sunlight.
It is highly recommended to use a battery box to provide proper protection for your LiFePO4 batteries. This will help prevent any accidents or damage that could occur due to heat exposure.
FAQS about Storing LiFePO4 Batteries
Q: Can I leave a LiFePO4 battery connected to a device while it's in storage?
It is generally recommended to disconnect the LiFePO4 battery from any devices or equipment before storing it for an extended period. Leaving it connected could result in a slow discharge over time, especially if the device has a standby power draw. Therefore, it's best to disconnect the battery to preserve its charge.
Q: How often should I check the stored LiFePO4 battery?
It's a good practice to check the stored LiFePO4 battery every 3 months to monitor its state of charge. If the battery voltage drops significantly below the recommended storage voltage, it may require a recharge to maintain its performance and prevent irreversible damage.
Q: Do I need to charge the LiFePO4 battery before using it after storage?
If the LiFePO4 battery has been stored for an extended period, it's advisable to recharge it before using it again. This ensures that the battery is at its optimal capacity and performance level. Following the manufacturer's guidelines for charging procedures will help prolong the battery's lifespan.
Q: Are there any safety precautions I should take when storing a LiFePO4 battery?
Yes, it's important to follow some safety precautions while storing a LiFePO4 battery. Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures, moisture, or direct sunlight. It's also crucial to keep the battery away from flammable materials and children. If you notice any signs of physical damage or swelling, it's best to contact the manufacturer for further guidance.
Conclusion
Due to its low self-discharge rate and other advantages, LiFePO4 batteries are easier to store than any other lithium-ion or sealed lead-acid battery.
However, understanding how to store LiFePO4 batteries correctly is crucial to maintaining their health. Although the battery's chemical composition is quite elastic, physical components are still susceptible to many environmental factors.
Therefore, following the information above is sufficient to store most lithium-ion batteries, especially LiFePO4 batteries. Finally, obtaining high-quality batteries can make the storage process easier.
Check out LiTime's extensive catalog of first-class LFP batteries. These batteries offer a 5-year warranty, so you know they were made with quality in mind.
Please contact if you have any problems about LiFePO4 batteries.
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