Charge a 12V LiFePO4 Battery
Lithium batteries are light, compact and efficient energy storage solutions that are ideal for use as a replacement for older generation lead VRLA, AGM or OPZ 12V batteries that are heavy, low performance and harmful to the environment (use of acid electrolytes). LiFePO4 is a lithium battery technology which stores electricity using an iron phosphate cathode. The chemistry offers significant advantages over other lithium battery technologies. It’s safe, possesses superior thermal stability and has the highest cycle life in the industry. It also has the lowest weight and size compared to other battery types making it an excellent choice for use in motorhomes, electric vehicles or solar power systems.
LiFePO4 batteries have a natural safety advantage over other lithium chemistries due to the fact that the iron phosphate promotes a strong molecular bond. This allows the battery to retain its chemical integrity when it is subjected to severe charging conditions, reducing degradation and prolonging its cycle life. Additionally, unlike NMC and other lithium batteries, a 12V LiFePO4 battery will not explode under the same circumstances, as it is less prone to internal short circuits.
The best 12V LiFePO4 batteries are designed to operate in a wide range of temperature environments. Many of them have a built-in battery management system (BMS) that can monitor and evaluate battery data to ensure optimal battery operation. This will alert the user when a battery is operating outside its safe operating area. The BMS will also prevent a battery from overcharging or over discharging.
How to Charge a 12V LiFePO4 Battery
Most of the 12V LiFePO4 batteries we sell come with a BMS included in the price. These BMS systems can be connected to any smartphone via an app. This will allow users to view and monitor their battery’s performance from anywhere in the world.
When connecting your 12V LiFePO4 batteries to other cells in a series or parallel configuration, it’s important that the connections are done correctly. A wrong connection could result in a short circuit, which will damage the batteries and potentially cause an explosion.
It’s also important to understand how much current a battery is capable of pulling. This will help you choose the right battery for your needs and avoid overloading your system, which can lead to damage and shorten the lifespan of your batteries.
When a battery is charged, it will experience an initial surge of current. After this, the current will decrease until it reaches a steady state of charge at the rated voltage of the cell. During the bulk charge phase, the BMS will monitor and control the battery’s cells to ensure they are all charged equally and at an optimal rate. When the battery is finished charging, the monitor circuit will automatically switch off. This will cause the battery’s voltage to decay, resulting in a triangular waveform as shown below. At this point, the battery is fully charged. It’s ready to be used for any application. To extend your battery’s life, avoid overcharging it, which can cause sulphation.
