Picture a battery that is able to store an electrical charge for many years and that is used to power an electric car, a portable generator, or an emergency backup system, with very little loss of capacity. Light, safe, and environmentally friendly.—saving you money and effort. It's a LiFePO4 battery.
LiFePO4 literally means lithium iron phosphate, which is the constituent of the positive electrode in these batteries. In comparison to some common types of lithium-ion batteries, LiFePO4 batteries display higher stability, longer life, and lower environmental impact. They, therefore, present a perfect choice for the different applications that demand reliable and efficient power.
You will get to know more about LiFePO4 battery life, how they work, and how they tend to help you in this post. You will also learn about some of the best mobile energy stations using these types of cells.
What Is a LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) Battery?
This kind of cell comprises Lifepo4 on a single side and graphite carbon on the other. It outdoes any other lithium type of batteries in the sector of cycle life and environmental and safety issues. It also overruns the lead acid type of batteries.
LiFePO4 batteries are used in different applications like electric vehicles, solar systems, and portable power stations. They prove to be very good applications for golf carts and fishing boats because of the steady and dependable power offered. Some gadgets, such as laptops and cameras, can also use LiFePO4 batteries, as they can support up to 16 cells in a row.
What's the LiFePO4 Battery Life?
LiFePO4 batteries are like a loyal friend who stays with you if you take care of it for 5 to 10 years. Still, they will need all your loving care through their cycle life. For a happy and healthy battery, never fill it up to the brim or let it go empty. It also deserves a cozy house—dry and, let's say, not too hot.
What Is the Life Cycle of the LiFePO4 Battery?
Well, that depends on how many times you charge and discharge it before it starts to lose some of its juice—usually around 80%. LiFePO4 batteries are the marathon runners of lithium batteries. The number of cycles to 80% depth of charge is from 3000 to 5000, and in practical terms, that means the capability of the battery to keep you powered through years of normal use. Lead acid batteries are like sprinters, in that they only go for 1000 times at the same depth of charge.
A charge cycle is like a round trip for a battery; it goes from full to empty and then back to full. A battery that can make more round trips is therefore able to give you more power over time. However, the charge cycle of a LiFePO4 battery can be affected by some things like temperature, current, voltage, and storage conditions. We will talk about these things in the next section.
LiFePO4 batteries have a low self-discharge rate, and hence, it is unable to waste much power when it's not in operation. It is also more cost-effective as compared to lithium batteries, mostly in the long run, given it has actually fewer costs per round trip.
Factors That Affect a LiFePO4 Battery Life
So how long can a LiFePO4 battery live? Great, that relies on a lot of elements. First of all, it is the form of cell and material out of which it is made that dictates. LiFePO4 batteries trump lead-acid batteries, for example, in how many times they can be used. And for the next, how much you use the battery each time will make a difference. Overusing it more than the recommended amount can make the battery die sooner. Then, how fast one charges and discharges a battery also counts. Going faster than the given speed can harm the battery.
Moreover, the temperature affects the time of the battery's life. The hotter it gets, the harder the battery works, thus losing power much faster. More so, the battery use, including how often you charge, counts well.
Pros of a LiFePO4 Battery
There are so many good things about LiFePO4 batteries. They are actually safe to use by their stable chemical makeup and hence do not easily explode or catch fire. Consequently, they are a reliable choice for applications that are quite sensitive to safety. They are highly durable as they can sustain thousands of cycles of both charging and discharging without a significant loss in their power. These render them the perfect fit for any application requiring frequent cycling. They are, therefore, apt for uses with high energy or high power needs.
They can work well in quite a wide range of temperatures, be it freezing cold or very hot. Last but not least, these cells are environment-friendly, given that they have no hazardous heavy metals like cobalt, which is not welcoming to the surroundings.
How to Extend LiFePO4 Battery Life?
Well, several things are possible. First, use the charger recommended by the manufacturer so that you won't overcharge or undercharge your battery. Second, in a modern battery, there is usually an intelligent system that takes care and protects the battery, so it helps it live much longer.
Third, pay attention to the amount recommended by the manufacturer, in regards to how much you can use it each time not to drain it too much. Last but not least, keep the battery at a comfortable temperature and avoid any extremes of heat or cold for outdoor usage. All these tips are really good for the improvement in LiFePO4 battery life.
Best Portable Power Station With Lifepo4 Battery
BLUETTI AC2A Portable Power Station
One reliable and versatile portable power station is the BLUETTI AC2A, which runs most of your devices and appliances with its 300W AC output and lifting power of 600W. Enough juice for many hours of use from the 204.8Wh capacity, and the 270W turbo charging can bring it up to 80% in only 45 minutes. And best of all, BLUETTI AC2A is powered by a LiFePO4 battery that has a longer life span and, more importantly, way better safety than any other type of battery.
More than 3000 charge cycles are possible with this battery and should last even longer. AC2A also provides silent operation, smart remote control through the BLUETTI app, and seamless UPS function. It is a portable power station with great value and performance on balance for C$279.00.
BLUETTI AC60P Portable Power Station
Are you an outdoor lover, a wanderer and need a good and multi-purpose station that can power you up? Then AC60P is made for you. Anything and everything that needs to be powered up is the capability of this beast of a power station. It can output 600W and house up to 504Wh in total. Additional batteries could ramp this total up to 2116Wh. It is also dustproof and water-resistant, given that it has an IP65 rating. Therefore, you can use it in any weather condition.
What's more, the AC60P has these supersonic charging features that can top up in just an hour. Great. The LiFePO4 battery is equally excellent, including more than 3,000 life cycles and retaining 80% of its capacity. The AC60P can be recharged in four ways, which include the following: via AC, solar, car, and lead-acid battery. The BLUETTI app on your smartphone helps you monitor and manage this power station easily. Thus, the AC60P is an advanced power station at only C$949.00 for your quality and convenience.
BLUETTI AC200L Portable Power Station
Do you want a mobile energy backup that meets all your electricity needs? Meet the AC200L—the ultimate power beast, keeping everything in the creature comforts that you need. It boasts a whopping 2,400W output in an AC and a power lift mode of 3,600W, such that it can handle any device or appliance you throw its way. The 2,048Wh capacity is also amazing, and making it even bigger up to 8,192Wh with more batteries is possible. The AC200L, in turn, has a very fast recharge rate due to the integrated LiFePO4 battery, with an expected 0-80% recharge in 45 minutes when used with the 2,400W AC input. Besides that, it also has a 1,200W max solar input and six Moreover, the AC200L is smart and handy, as the built-in BLUETTI app allows you to control and monitor the power station via Bluetooth or WiFi on your smartphone. It is further enabled with a 20ms UPS, which is quiet, and high efficiency. For C$2,099.00, the AC200L is a premium portable power station that gives you everything you need.
Final Thoughts
Generally, LiFePO4 batteries are a very dependable and competent energy source for the use of many gadgets and devices. They may be a bit more expensive compared to other batteries, but they are the variety that tends to be more durable and proves a better performance in the long run—thus, making them the intelligent choice. They are made for heavy users and give power for hours without being dangerous to the health of the battery, something lead-acid batteries cannot do. In order to keep a LiFePO4 battery going longer in its life, it has to be stored properly and charged carefully. Knowing and abiding by the unique features of LiFePO4 battery could enable its maximum use, carrying along with it all the benefits it carries.
