22 Years' Battery Customization
Dec 20, 2022 Pageview：594
Lithium Ion batteries are the most famous and widely used rechargeable batteries. There are many types of Lithium-ion batteries but the most commonly used are the iron phosphate chemical composition known as LiFePO4 batteries. These batteries enjoy a high energy density in comparison to other lithium-ion batteries which makes them capable of storing more electric charge for the specified weight. Among all types of lithium-ion batteries, LiFePO4 batteries are more temperature stable and ideal for deep-cycle applications.
LiFePO4 batteries are widely used and preferred owing to their low self-discharge rate, no maintenance, and high charge-retaining qualities. In addition, these batteries are sealed which means there won't be any fumes that can cause pollution. These batteries are equipped with BMS meaning a battery management system that smartly protects the battery from overcharging and balances the cells.
These batteries are quite handy, but many people store these during the off-season when they are not using them. The storing part is a bit tricky as you can enhance the useful life of these batteries with adequate storage techniques or otherwise damage the internal structure of the battery with inappropriate storage methods. Let's unveil some of the most pressing questions regarding storing these batteries.
Can you store the LiFePO4 battery fully charged?
You can surely store a fully charged LiFePO4 battery. It is recommended to fully charge these batteries if you want to store these for a longer time. These batteries usually have a very low self-discharge rate. They normally discharge at 2% per month. This implies that when you store these batteries then they will lose 2% of their charge on monthly basis. It is recommended to disconnect the battery from any sort of attached load to ensure that no load draws additional charge and power from the battery. If you want to store the battery for a long period of time then it is recommended to charge it at more than 50% and ideally store it in a fully charged condition. The higher the charge, the larger will be charge retaining power of the battery during storage.
Many times users assume that there is no need to charge the battery as they won't be using it and just keep it in storage. They do not consider the fact that batteries undergo self-discharge whether they are used or stay idle. If you store your battery in a low or zero-charge state then get ready to face major consequences. It is so because if your battery does not have enough charge then after self-discharge of 2% per month the level of discharge reaches a limit where even BMS cannot protect the battery. Over-discharging can cause serious and irreversible damage to your battery even when it is under warranty. This is why it is recommended to store the battery with a state of charge of more than 50% to be at a safe end.
How long can you store a LiFePO4 battery?
LiFePO4 batteries can be stored on both short-term and long-term basis. Normally people store these for 3 to 6 months. But these batteries can easily be stored for up to 3 years if taken proper storage measures. As you already know that these batteries suffer a 2% self-discharge rate which means that if you want to store for an extended time then you should have it charged to at least 50% and ideally more than 50% to store it properly to account for the self-discharge rate. Ideally, you should fully charge the battery before storing it to save it from over-discharging.
To store LiFePO4 batteries for an extended period of time you need to ensure that the temperature is favorable. It is recommended to store these batteries at a low temperature. The storage space should be dry and indoors away from direct exposure to sunlight.
Along with these measures, what's important is to maintain the health of the battery. You cannot save the battery from self-discharging because it is inevitable but you should know that frequent self-discharge for a longer time can damage the internal structure of the LiFePO4 battery. This is why you should recharge the battery every 3 to 6 months to ensure that the battery's health is not affected. Ideally, the batteries should be recharged every 3 months at 3.8 to 3.9 volts, but if you don’t have much time then you should charge it every 6 months.
LiFePO4 Battery Below Freezing
Most people store LiFePO4 during the winter season which they need to use in summer for camping and picnics. Storing these batteries in cold temperatures even below freezing temperature is acceptable. You can easily store these batteries at low temperatures of even -40OC. It is ideal to store these batteries in a cold climate and refrigerator. The aging of batteries slows down by storing these in low temperatures. This is so because these batteries do not contain any water content which can freeze at a lower temperature damaging the battery. Rather the chemicals in this battery do not freeze at freezing temperature and save it from expanding and causing any damage to the cells and battery. This feature makes LiFePO4 batteries ideal be stored at freezing temperatures. The only extra effort you will need in such a temperature is to warm up the battery before using it.
Although storing a LiFePO4 battery at freezing temperature is a good idea charging it is not. Many people assume that since these batteries can be efficiently stored in the cold so they will be quite friendly to charging as well which they are not. You should never charge LiFePO4 batteries at a temperature below 32OF or 0OC. Charging the battery at a lower than-mentioned temperature can result in lithium plating which not only affects the battery’s capacity but can also cause a short circuit inside the battery causing irreversible damage to the internal structure.
Similarly discharging LiFePO4 batteries at extremely cold or freezing temperatures can result in a loss of the battery’s capacity. It can also affect the aging process of the battery by causing damage to the internal structure and performance of the battery.
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