LiFePO4 batteries have become more prevalent in the past few years than lead acid batteries. LiFePO4 batteries are one of the most common types of Lithium-ion batteries. Here we will discuss some benefits of using LiFePO4 over lead-acid batteries.
What are LiFePO4 batteries?
LiFePO4 batteries are the next generation of lithium-ion batteries. There are three essential components of a lithium LiFePO4 battery: the graphite anode, the carbon cathode, and the electrolyte. LiFePO4 batteries are lithium-ion batteries with a higher energy density than standard lithium-ion batteries. They are meant to be repeatedly charged and discharged.
What are lead-acid batteries?
A lead-acid battery utilizes sulfuric acid as its electrolyte and lead and lead oxide as its electrodes. Lead-acid batteries are most commonly used in photovoltaic (PV) and other alternative energy systems because they were initially more affordable and readily available.
Benefits of LiFePO4 Batteries over Lead-acid Batteries
There are many benefits of LiFePO4 batteries over lead-acid batteries. Here are some examples:
Longer Life Cycle
Compared to lead-acid batteries, the lifespan of LiFePO4 cells is much higher. The performance of LiFePO4 batteries is stable even after being charged and discharged 5,000 times. Lead-acid batteries generally have a limited lifespan of between 200 and 500 recharge cycles. Unlike lead-acid batteries, which need to be replaced every 1-3 years, LiFePO4 batteries may survive up to 11 years. LiFePO4 batteries were shown to have a low loss, higher cycle life, and lower storage depletion rate than lead-acid batteries in a study comparing two battery types used in electrical microgrid systems.
Higher Efficiency
Due to its significantly lower internal resistance, it is almost always possible to use a LiFePO4 lithium battery to its total capacity. These batteries benefit from a fast rate of charging. If you're looking for a replacement for your lead-acid batteries, look no further than LiFePO4 batteries, which are 25–35% more efficient. For instance, a lead-acid battery of the same capacity would only deliver 6.5Ah, while a LiFePO4 battery portable would produce nearly 10Ah. Accordingly, it is possible to design a solar system with 28% less space for storage while maintaining a given efficiency rating (Ah/Watt). One of the main reasons lithium batteries are superior to grid energy storage systems is their increased efficiency.
Lightweight
LiFePO4 batteries are small and lightweight. Due to their much higher depth of discharge, lithium batteries are considerably smaller and lighter than lead-acid batteries of the same capacity. In addition, the lithium LiFePO4 battery systems are smaller, more manageable modules whose capacities range from 1 to 2 kWh, providing engineers with a great deal of system development flexibility. According to a study, a 750-kilogram load of lead-acid batteries is optimal for a light delivery van. Only 200 kilograms of LiFePO4 batteries can supply the exact amount of power, reducing the vehicle's weight.
Battery Usable Capacity
Due to their deeper depth of depletion, LiFePO4 batteries have a lower failure rate. Unlike conventional lead–acid batteries, which should not be discharged beyond 30–40% of their total capacity, LiFePO4 batteries may be discharged up to 80–90% without incurring permanent damage. In an emergency, it is permitted to drain a lead-acid battery to a greater level, even though doing so may affect the battery's long-term health. In real-world conditions, the maximum drain depth for a lead-acid battery is around 35%, which may exceed 60% in standby applications. In comparison, the portable lithium battery can sustain daily discharges of up to 85 percent and occasional discharges of up to 100 percent. Due to the improved battery functional capacity, it is feasible to build a system with fewer LiFePO4 batteries that meet the exact power needs. According to expert LiFePO4 solar portable battery needs up to 45 percent fewer cells than lead-acid batteries as a storage medium. This was determined during a microgrid system design study.
Lower Maintenance
LiFeO4 batteries have several advantages over lead-acid batteries, but the most significant is that they do not require active maintenance to continue functioning. As a result of their lack of memory effects and drastically reduced self-discharge rate, this portable battery station can be stored for much more extended periods without incurring significant damage. However, lead-acid batteries have specific maintenance requirements, and their lifespan can be shortened without proper care.
Safety
Due to the absence of liquid electrolyte, which is more susceptible to leakage, LiFePO4 batteries are more thermally and chemically stable than lead-acid batteries. Cathode materials composed of LiFePO4 portable power station battery has a decreased risk of explosion during charging. They do not decompose even when heated. Due to the first generation of Li-ion batteries, lithium solar portable battery have a negative reputation. However, they were not as secure as LiFePO4 portable lithium battery pack and remained insecure.
Performance
LiFePO4 batteries have a faster charging and discharging rate than lead acid batteries]. A faster charging rate reduces the time needed to fully charge the solar portable battery, whereas a faster discharging rate results in a higher output current. This battery is quickly becoming the preferred option in the electric automobile industry due to its improved acceleration at startup. Typically, LiFePO4 power station battery has a 1C discharge rate when fully discharged. 100A is the typical charge and discharge current for a 100Ah LiFePO4 rock battery. LiFePO4 solar battery portable does not require special "multi-stage" charging procedures, so you can pump as many amps as possible until it reaches total capacity. Increasing the charge state requires decreasing the amps; lead-acid batteries are not as convenient. The three phases of a lead-acid battery are Bulk, Absorption, and Float. Lead-acid batteries take considerably longer than LiFePO4 batteries to reach 100 percent charge due to the process's multiple steps.
Wider Temperature Range
LiFePO4 batteries can work safely throughout a broad temperature range, typically from -20°C to 60°C, making them suitable for usage in any climate. This solar travel battery type performs better in colder temperatures than lead-acid batteries. At 0°C, a lead-acid battery's capacity may decrease up to 50%, whereas a LiFePO4 battery's capacity decreases by just 10% [6]. Numerous studies have shown that in cold areas and under high power loads, the performance of lead-acid batteries may decrease by up to 90 percent.
Environmental Friendliness
When improperly disposed of, the lead and sulfuric acid that make up the bulk of lead-acid batteries are detrimental to the ecosystem and environment. LiFePO4 electrodes are composed of non-toxic, recyclable elements. Environmentally, lead-acid batteries are far more harmful than LiFePO4 batteries.
Where to buy LiFePO4 batteries
There are many online stores which are selling LiFePO4 batteries. But among them, ROCKSOLAR is the best place to buy LiFePO4 batteries. Our batteries offer many features, such as:
The ROCKSOLAR Deep Cycle LiFePO4 battery lifespan is 3500+ cycles and a maximum discharge rate of 100 percent. This state-of-the-art battery will offer you peace of mind with its 11-year guarantee and 10+ year service life. Their batteries are lightweight, weighing just 13.2 pounds, allowing you to transport them wherever you like. In addition to temperature, short circuit, over-discharge, over-current, and overcharge protection, the Smart Battery Management System provides battery cell balancing.
The temperature range for charging is 0 to 45 degrees Celsius, while the temperature range for discharging is -20 to 60 degrees Celsius. Our BMS will shut down automatically if the operating temperature is exceeded.
So, if you need LiFePO4 batteries, visit rocksolars.com and purchase confidently.