Lithium-ion batteries are proving to be a life-changer in the field of batteries

Advantages of lithium iron phosphate batteries

In the department of batteries, Lithium is becoming a game-changer. However, it is not much useful when is used alone. But when you combine it with iron, cobalt, or other useful elements the combination increases the efficiency of lithium batteries increases up to a great extent.

Among all the possible elements that can be attached to lithium, one is iron phosphate. This union of lithium with iron phosphate results in a remarkable set of characteristics that have way more applications than the others. The batteries containing lithium and iron phosphate are also known as LiFePO4 or LEP batteries.

LEP may not be the cheapest battery you will come across. However, after seeing the benefits, you will realize that it was your best investment. When we talk about the characteristic advantages of LEP batteries we see that these batteries require less maintenance, are environmentally friendly, do not contain harmful elements, have a long cycle life and working lives. Moreover, LiFePO4 batteries have high charge and discharge properties.
The batteries containing lithium and iron phosphate are also known as LiFePO4 or LEP batteries

Features of lithium iron phosphate batteries

All of these features make them a perfect fit for your requirements. We will have a look at the described advantages in detail.

Low to no maintenance

One of the most prominent features of lithium iron phosphate batteries is LiFePO4 batteries do not require active or manual maintenance. You can simply plug them into the circuit and press the on button. There will be no need to add water or do other

Magnificent efficiencies

Moreover, LFP batteries do not show a memory effect at all. This feature also adds up to their long life and low maintenance.

Longer lifespans

Do you know why Lithium iron phosphate batteries are famous?
Due to their long lifespans!
Moreover, this extended lifespan does not cause a decrease in performance at all. With cycle durability of 5000, LFP offers the most prolonged working durations.

Their life cycle is nearly twice or thrice than what other lithium batteries provide. Moreover, these batteries have the least self-discharge, up to <3% per month. As a result, you will observe that LFP batteries have a long cycle life than other available options.

Where a lead-acid battery can last up to two years, a LiFePO4 battery can last up to five to eight years. As a result, when people see this feature, they happily invest in the higher prices.

Magnificent efficiencies

One of the main features of lithium iron phosphate batteries is the availability of 100% capacity. This unique feature helps LFP batteries stand out from the rest of the competitors. If we compare the efficiencies of lead-acid batteries with lithium iron phosphate batteries, we will find out that LFP batteries are equal to four lead-acid batteries.

Moreover, the fast charging and discharging reduce any kind of interception and make the LFP batteries a perfect candidate for any sort of application.

Safety insurance

Most of the time, people use LFP batteries in solar panels. These panels reside on top of houses or tall buildings and directly contact the sunlight. Thus, the question of the safety of LFP batteries arises.
people use LFP batteries in solar panels
Are they safe enough to be used in applications that involve direct contact with the heat? The answer is yes. It is said that LFP batteries can not catch fire. The chemical nature of iron phosphate is non-toxic and non-combustible due to a strong bond between P-O. Thus they have significantly stable chemistry than other lithium batteries.

Lighter weights

LiFePO4 batteries have a distinctively high power density. Thus, they are way lighter than the rest of batteries. Moreover, this feature makes them easy to carry around different places. They have nearly 50 – 60% less weight than an average lead-acid battery.

This feature was a revolutionary advancement as the formerly used batteries were quite difficult to move around,this is why many people now replace their old lead-acid batteries with lithium batteries.

Works well even in high temperatures

Lithium iron phosphate batteries are highly reliable because their efficiency is least dependant on temperature variations. The reason for this temperature independence is a strong polar covalent bond between phosphorous and oxygen (P-O).

This bond makes the iron phosphate crystal durable and is less likely to break under high temperatures.
If you are wondering about the temperature limit where LiFePO4 batteries can work, it is around 20℃– 75℃. However,Good hight temperature performance lithium iron phosphate battery heating peak can reach 500 ℃ . Thus, LiFePO4 batteries best to use it within the operating temperature range without worrying about explosives or fires.

Exceptional discharge rates

Lithium iron phosphate batteries show remarkable low discharge rates. Not many batteries operate on efficiency of 90%, but LFP batteries do. This feature makes them superior to other batteries such as nickel-cadmium or NI-MH batteries. Due to this exceptional discharge and charge rate, LFP batteries can simultaneously charge multiple devices or the ones with heavy engines.

LFP batteries can simultaneously charge multiple devices or the ones with heavy engines

How to charge lithium iron phosphate batteries with an alternator

Lithium iron phosphate batteries can be charged with multiple charges, including an alternator charger. You just need to plug the charger in and on the switch. However, you need to make sure that the voltage is maintained via a high-quality alternator generator, or you can also use a regulator for this purpose.

Do not use a charger that is initially built to charge other lithium batteries, as these are designed for higher voltages. However, if you are wondering whether you can use a lead-acid battery charger for this purpose, the answer is no. Lithium-ion batteries can only be charged using a charger designed for lithium-ion batteries
Following are answers to a few frequently asked questions related to LiFePO4 batteries.

How do lithium iron phosphate batteries work

Working of battery involves positive and negative current collectors, an electrolyte, a separator, cathode, and anode. Both the anode and cathode have the ability to store Li ions that are carried through an electrolyte via the partition.

When lithium ions move from cathode to anode, they create free electrons, which is the reason why a charge emerges on the positive side. This current produced by passing electrons is used to power an attached device.
The reverse will be followed when you will charge the battery.

Lithium-ion batteries are proving to be a life-changer in the field of batteries

Which is better, lithium-ion or lithium iron phosphate battery

As we are aware lithium iron phosphate batteries are actually a kind of lithium-ion batteries. However, due to the presence of iron phosphate, LiFePO4 batteries have certain qualities and characters that separate their functions from other batteries. Thus to find out which battery is better, we need to compare their features.

Energy density

Lithium-ion battery is a better choice in energy density with a value of 150/200Wh/kg. However, Lithium iron phosphate batteries have an energy density of 90/120Wh/kg. Thus, devices that quickly drain batteries work better with Lithium-ion batteries. However, this advantage can turn into a disadvantage because high energy density can also cause instability in the battery’s structure.

Shelf-life

Both the lithium-ion and iron phosphate batteries nearly have a shelf-life of one year.

The number of cycles

Lithium iron phosphate batteries have more number cycles ranging from 2000-3000 or even more in some cases. However, lithium-ion batteries only have 500-1000 working cycles. Thus, LFP batteries work best in the long run.

Temperature resistance

The P-O bond in iron phosphate provides this battery with stability and durability, enabling it to work at high temperatures. However, this is not the case with lithium-ion batteries. As a result, if you need to operate a battery at higher temperatures. Go with lithium iron phosphate batteries.

Environmental friendly

Lithium iron phosphate batteries are also known as green batteries because they are easy to discharge after use or any damage. However, on the other hand, cobalt dioxide used in lithium-ion batteries is hazardous to health and can cause serious allergies. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, LFP batteries can be easily discarded.

Memory effect

Lithium-ion batteries show a memory effect when you charge them without discharging them completely. On the other hand, you will not observe a memory effect or partial state of charge affecting the efficiency of LFP batteries.

Are there any disadvantages of Lithium iron phosphate batteries

Some of the disadvantages of LFP batteries are following:

Low temperature

No doubt that lithium iron phosphate batteries work well at higher temperatures. They do not show efficient results at low temperatures.

Higher costs

Lithium iron phosphate batteries are high-cost batteries. Despite the availability of LFP batteries in the market for the last couple of decades, we still have not noticed any decrease in the rates of this battery.

However, when you compare the cost and performance ratio with other batteries, you will find out that these batteries offer better service in terms of longer durations. This cost factor evens out further with low maintenance, high charge densities, and exceptional reliabilities.

Low energy density

LFP batteries show a deep discharge. The reason behind this phenomenon is low energy density. The cathode material mainly determines the energy density and safety of the battery
Lithium iron phosphate batteries are also known as green batteries

Can lithium iron phosphate batteries catch fire

Lithium iron phosphate batteries will not explode and catch fire under normal circumstances. Well, most of the time, because they have strong chemistry. The material inside that is the iron phosphate is non-toxic and unlikely to get burned. The reason behind this feature is the strong and secure P-O bond.

This bond tightly holds the oxygen and does not let it escape and catch fire. This feature makes lithium iron phosphate batteries extremely safe and increases their life expectancy for many years.
On the other hand, lithium batteries that do not have this secure oxygen are more likely to catch fire.

we are in dire need of efficient and environmentally friendly energy sources

Conclusion

With the continuous advancements in the field of technology, we are in dire need of efficient and environmentally friendly energy sources. That is where lithium iron phosphate batteries stepped in and provided us with excellent alternatives for the traditionally used batteries.

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