The use of lithium deep-cycle batteries has grown in popularity in recent years, however, there are many types of lithium chemistries. Actually, aside from techies, the majority of American customers know very little about the wide variety of lithium options available.
Versions constructed from nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, and manganese oxide are the most popular.
Let us travel through the years one by one. There has been a significant technological advancement with the advent of lithium-ion batteries in the past 30 years. During this time, lithium technologies have grown in favor due to their usefulness in powering portable electronics such as cell phones and laptops.
Thermoelectric events are another notoriety that lithium-ion batteries acquired, as you would remember from a number of news articles.
Nevertheless, LiFePO4—lithium iron phosphate—subsequently emerged. This lithium solution had a slightly lower energy density but was naturally non-combustible.
Not only were LiFePO4 batteries safer than other lithium chemistries, but they also had other advantages, especially when it came to high power applications.
Advantages of LiFePO4 Batteries
Lithium-iron phosphate batteries have been around for a while, but they are just now starting to gain popularity in commercial sectors around the world. What sets LiFePO4 apart from competing lithium battery systems is summarized here:
- They Offer Greater Security and Stability
- They Perform Better Than Lead-Acid
- They save room and weigh less.
- They are gentler on the environment and don’t cause any harm.
Keep on reading to know more about the advantages of the LiFePO4 battery pack.
Reliability and Safety
Because of their exceptionally stable chemistry, LiFePO4 batteries have a stellar reputation for safety. When compared to lithium-ion batteries constructed with different cathode materials, phosphate-based batteries provide an extra layer of protection due to their increased thermal and chemical resilience.
Importantly, in the case of charging or discharging mismanagement, lithium phosphate cells are not flammable. Additionally, they are resilient enough to endure extreme temperatures, difficult terrain, and frigid temperatures.
Performance
Which battery type is best for a specific application is mostly dependent on its performance. Lithium iron batteries are attractive because they are lightweight, have a moderate self-discharge rate, and are projected to have a longer shelf life than lithium-ion.
In comparison to lead-acid batteries and other lithium formulations, their runtime and service life are far superior, typically lasting five to ten years or more. Reducing the amount of time it takes to charge the battery is another practical benefit of the performance.
Therefore, LiFePO4 is the way to go if you need a long-lasting battery that charges rapidly.
There are a number of benefits to using lithium iron phosphate batteries instead of lead-acid or other types of lithium batteries. These include better performance during deep cycles, a longer lifespan, and higher discharge and charge efficiency.
While LiFePO4 batteries may be more expensive initially, they end up saving money in the long run due to their low maintenance requirements and low replacement frequency.
Efficient Use of Space
The fact that LiFePO4 is space-efficient is another important feature to note. You may make better use of space and weight with LiFePO4, which is one-third the weight of typical lead-acid batteries and nearly half the weight of the popular manganese oxide. This will make your product more efficient in the long run.
Effects on the Environment
An eco-friendly option, LiFePO4 batteries are safe to use around people and the environment because they don’t release any harmful chemicals or pollute the air. Significant environmental risk is posed by lead-acid and nickel-oxide lithium batteries, in particular by lead acid due to the degradation of the structure over time and subsequent leakage caused by internal chemicals.
See our Lithium Battery Selector Tool for additional information on how to determine your energy requirements and pick the best battery for your needs.