Jun 17, 2020 Pageview:798
Lithium batteries have proven themselves as the best available power solution for appliances ranging from mobiles and laptops to electric vehicles. From their invention in the early 1970s till now they have evolved pretty much. After the initial experiments by Stanley Whittingham and John B. Goodenough to make the best possible lithium-ion battery, Akira Yoshino five years later used petroleum coke as the anode and made a breakthrough in the lithium technology by making a safer and stable prototype of the lithium-ion battery.?
Battery components are being studied at different stages of their lives for finding a way to design safer, long-lasting, and high energy power battery solutions. Despite this, their market for lithium-ion is continuously evolving.?
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are one of the newest developments in the lithium-ion series. This technology was discovered only 25-years ago. As in the recent past, we have heard several stories of lithium-ion batteries catching fire which was one of the main reason’s lithium was not used to create large battery banks.?
After the development of lithium iron phosphate battery, the danger of battery catching fire was over, because they are non-combustible but with slightly lower energy density. Despite being safer these batteries had more advantages over other lithium battery variants.
What Are LiFePO4 Batteries Used For?
Lithium iron phosphate batteries can operate in extreme temperatures and are lightweight and high-efficiency batteries. This makes them suitable for electric vehicles, solar systems, power tools, and golf club carts that are used to carry golf clubs across the park. These batteries being lightweight are the best choice for golf clubs. Also, they can handle extreme temperatures that’s why they are a good choice for desert cars and solar systems as they can operate in extremely hot conditions.
Is LiFePO4 Battery Same As lithium-ion battery?
These batteries are not exactly that new but have now started picking up traction in the global markets. Following distinguish LiFePO4 batteries from other lithium-ion batteries.
SAFETY AND STABILITY: Their safe chemistry makes them one of the safest variants of the lithium-ion series batteries. They gain more thermal and chemical stability due to phosphate than other lithium-ion batteries that are made up of other cathode materials. During charging or discharging any kind of mishandling may occur that may lead to fire but lithium phosphate cells being non-combustible adds up an incredible feature for these batteries. These batteries can handle extreme temperatures like cold or boiling conditions.
PERFORMANCE:?Performance of a lithium-ion battery is determined by long life, slow self-discharge rate, and less weight. These three factors will tell you which battery to use. Lithium iron phosphate batteries tend to have a longer shelf life than other lithium-ion batteries. Their working life may limit between five to ten years or even more. Its charging time is also less than that of lithium-ion batteries. All these perks make LiFePO4 battery the best choice currently.
SPACE EFFICIENT:?Their compact size adds up in their better characteristics than other lithium-ion batteries. They come with one-third weight compared to most of the lead-acid batteries and half the weight from manganese oxide batteries. Providing a more effective way of using space and weight LiFePO4 batteries are more efficient overall.
MORE ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY:?These batteries come with no rare earth metals and are non-toxic and non-contaminating making them the most environment-friendly variant of lithium batteries. Lead-acid and nickel oxide batteries have a certain amount of environmental risks. In lead-acid batteries, the internal chemicals degrade their structure and cause leakage.?
Compared to most of the other variants of lithium-ion batteries LiFePO4 batteries offer more advantages and fewer risks. This includes improved charged and discharge efficiency, long life, and ability of deep cycling during the performance. LiFePO4 batteries are often higher in price but when compared to the value the cost is justified. They require minimum maintenance and infrequent replacement. These qualities make them a smart investment and a long-term solution as well.
How Long Does LiFePO4 Mean?
The average life of a LiFePO4 battery is around 5 to 7 years. Most people don’t know the factors that determine how long their batteries will last i.e. their charge lives. If we know how to take care of our lithium-ion battery, then it may last longer then its average life. For example; if a LiFePO4 battery can last for seven years maximum then you can extend its life for ten years or even more by proper care.
Getting to know about these factors will be interesting for a lot of people and will also give them a good knowledge of how to take care of your batteries. With a lead-acid battery, it gets damaged from the inside and you cannot do anything about it, but a lithium-ion battery doesn’t. It may have decreased capacity over time, but it is still in working condition. If one cell gets damaged in a lithium-ion battery, then it can be replaced by a recycled cell you don’t have to dispose of the whole battery for this.?
If your LiFePO4 battery is constructed by cylindrical cells, then it may perform better and will be long-lasting than that of prismatic cells. Prismatic cells are less heat resistant than cylindrical cells making them less safe in extreme weather conditions. Secondly, cylindrical cells encased in stainless steel are less permeable to moisture than a prismatic cell encased in polypropylene. With time prismatic cells may get compromised to moisture, and moisture in a lithium cell shortens its lifespan. Stainless steel cylindrical LFP cells are the safest and highest performing lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells available today.
There is a lot to know about lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries so that you can make the best choice according to your usage. These batteries come with slightly high prices than other lithium-ion batteries, but they also offer high value over money which justifies their price. Comparing their advantages with other lithium-ion batteries they are on the top of the list and will be the first choice for someone looking for the best one not a cheap one.
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