Lithium iron batteries, known for their high energy density and long cycle life, are increasingly popular in applications like electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Proper care is essential for optimal performance, longevity, and safety. This guide explores best practices for maintaining these batteries, including charging protocols and storage techniques.
What Is A Lithium Iron Battery?
A lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) battery is a type of lithium-ion battery known for its lightweight structure and high energy density.
Most lithium iron batteries contain multiple LiFePO4 cells and a BMS. Each cell includes a cathode, an anode, a separator, an electrolyte, and two current collectors. The anode and cathode store lithium, while the electrolyte transfers positively charged lithium through the separator. This charge movement generates Napetost, enabling electrical current to flow from the positive terminal to your application and back to the negative terminal.
How To Maintain A Lithium Iron Battery?
Rechargeable lithium iron batteries have a limited življenjska doba and will eventually lose their ability to hold a charge permanently. So, proper care and maintenance are crucial for longevity.
The estimated life expectancy of a lithium iron battery is 5-15 years, depending on usage. A LiFePO4 battery can deliver up to 2000 complete charging cycles or 6000 partial cycles. A full cycle moves from fully charged to fully discharged, then back to fully charged. Leaving batteries unused for extended periods can shorten their lifespan and lead to failure.
We recommend conducting at least one full maintenance cycle (charge to 100% SoC, discharge to 100% DoD, then charge to 50% SoC) every 6-12 months for all unused lithium batteries and cells. Check stored batteries for adequate OCV (open circuit voltage) using the table below for minimum recommended storage voltage. If the voltage is low during maintenance checks, Holo Battery recommends recharging your battery as needed.
| Voltage Range (V) | Lithium Iron Phosphate Product Type |
| 3.3-3.4 | Individual Cell |
| 13.2-13.6 | 12V Battery Pack |
| 26.4-27.2 | 24V Battery Pack |
| 39.6-40.8 | 36V Battery Pack |
| 52.8-54.4 | 48V Battery Pack |
For better maintenance of cells or batteries, inspect them every six months for signs of terminal corrosion and case integrity issues. Avoid using damaged batteries to prevent safety hazards.
LiFePO4 batteries have slow self-discharge rates during storage. However, if they have Bluetooth or WiFi functionality, the discharge rate may increase due to the module’s power draw. Regularly monitoring your battery’s charge level is vital for preserving its health and sustaining energy output.
To gauge your battery’s health, track your application’s run time as a simple metric. Establish a baseline by recording the initial run time of your new lithium battery for comparison as it ages. This benchmark may vary depending on the application and configuration of the battery.
How Do I Charge A Lithium Iron Battery?
A lithium-specific battery charger ensures a complete charging cycle. Our LiFePO4 chargers use intelligent 3-step charging to revive deeply discharged batteries.
Additionally, optimized charging technology maximizes both performance and lifespan by effectively utilizing battery capacities.
Learn more in the article “How To Charge Lithium lron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Batteries”.
What Charging Rate Will Extend The Life Of A Lithium Iron Battery?
Chargers are selected based on battery capacity. Lithium batteries can charge at rates up to 1C (their full capacity), while lead-acid batteries should be charged below C/3. For example, a 9Ah lithium battery charges at 9 amps, while a 9Ah lead-acid battery should charge at about 3 amps.
To extend the lifespan of your LiFePO4 battery and reduce downtime, it is recommended to charge it within the range of C/4 to C/2. For a 10Ah battery, this means charging at 2.5A to 5A, with 2.5A being ideal. If you must choose between a 2A and a 5A charger, opt for the 2A charger to maximize battery lifespan, despite a longer charging time of about 5 hours.
The charge cutoff current is typically set between 2.5-5% of the battery’s capacity, resulting in a cutoff current range of around 0.25-0.50A for the 10Ah examples. Most chargers automatically handle this cutoff without manual adjustments.
Universal chargers offer the flexibility to select different chemistry types, ensuring the best voltage ranges and appropriate cutoff mechanisms upon reaching full charge. For instance, these chargers can automatically shut off for lithium batteries or switch to float charge mode for sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries, enhancing the safety and efficiency of the charging process.
Long Term Storage
When storing batteries long-term, consider the different requirements for SLA and lithium batteries.
Store SLA batteries close to a 100% state of charge (SoC) to prevent sulfating, which reduces capacity due to sulfate crystal buildup. Lithium batteries should be stored around 50% SoC to maintain stability in the positive terminal and avoid permanent capacity loss. For specific guidelines on lithium battery storage, refer to our dedicated guide.
Self-discharge rates also affect storage: SLA batteries have a high self-discharge rate and should be kept on float or trickle charge near 100% SoC. In contrast, lithium batteries have a lower discharge rate and may require minimal maintenance charging if there are no parasitic draws like Bluetooth modules.
How To Keep A Lithium-ion Battery From Corroding?
Holo Battery has integrated features into our battery terminals to combat corrosion. However, batteries can still corrode over time despite care.
You can minimize corrosion by following these steps:
- Store your battery in a cool, dry environment to reduce corrosion and extend its shelf life.
- Seal the terminals with a spray-on protectant from auto parts stores for optimal prevention.
- Regularly inspect and clean your lithium battery terminals with a soft dry cloth if they appear dirty to prevent difficult build-up later on.
