How to charging lithium iron phosphate batteries?
How to discharging lithium iron phosphate batteries?
Read this article to help you understand these professional knowledge.
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Construction and Working Principle of Lithium Iron Phosphate (ЛиФеПО4) Battery
LiFePO4 Battery Structure
Литий-железо-фосфат (ЛиФеПО4) batteries consist of the following components:
Positive electrode, отрицательный электрод, электролит, сепаратор, positive and negative electrode wires, center terminal, safety valve, sealing ring, and housing, и т. д..
In lithium iron phosphate batteries, the positive electrode material is usually lithium iron phosphate, while the negative electrode material is mostly carbon material.
On the left side of the battery is LiFePO4 with an olivine structure, which serves as the positive electrode material and is connected to the positive electrode of the battery through aluminum foil.
The middle part of the battery is a polymer separator, which separates the positive and negative electrodes, allowing lithium ions Li+ to pass through but preventing the passage of electrons e-.
On the right side of the battery is the negative electrode, mainly composed of carbon material (such as graphite), and connected to the negative electrode of the battery through copper foil.
The structural characteristics of the positive electrode material of LFP batteries determine their lower conductivity, but at the same time endow the material with good stability and safety performance.
LiFePO4 Battery Principle
During the charging process of LFP batteries, lithium ions detach from the surface of the positive electrode crystal of lithium iron phosphate.
Впоследствии, driven by electric field force, it passes through the electrolyte and separator, and finally embeds into the graphite negative electrode lattice.
В то же время, electrons flow from the negative copper foil current collector to the positive aluminum foil current collector through an external circuit, passing through the electrode ear and battery pole.
Used to replenish the lost charge of the negative electrode and restore the lithium iron phosphate positive electrode material to its iron phosphate state.
During the discharge of LFP batteries, lithium ions are released from the graphite negative electrode, pass through the electrolyte and separator, and migrate to the surface of the lithium iron phosphate positive electrode crystal.
The current flows through an external circuit from the aluminum foil current collector at the positive electrode to the copper foil current collector at the negative electrode, in order to balance the accumulated charge at the positive electrode.
How to charge lifepo4 battery?
It is recommended to use constant current constant voltage (CCCV) charging mode for lithium iron phosphate (ЛФП) аккумуляторные блоки.
Первый, perform constant current charging, and then switch to constant voltage charging.
Constant current charging is recommended at a ratio of 0.3C, while constant voltage charging is recommended to be set at 3.65V.
What are the differences in charging methods between lithium iron phosphate batteries and conventional lithium-ion batteries?
Both types of batteries use the constant current and constant voltage (CCCV) charging method, but their cut-off points for constant voltage charging are different.
The nominal voltage of lithium iron phosphate batteries is 3.2V, while the charging cut-off voltage is set to 3.6V.
В отличие, the nominal voltage of a regular lithium-ion battery is 3.6V, and the charging cut-off voltage is 4.2V.
Charging lithium iron phosphate batteries Method
Charging with solar energy
Charging lithium iron phosphate (ЛиФеПО4) batteries through solar energy is an environmentally friendly and sustainable way of energy utilization.
Charging Lifepo4 batteries with solar can also efficiently manage the energy collected by solar panels.
Control the charging process to ensure optimal energy transfer to the lithium iron phosphate battery.
This application is highly suitable for areas without grid connections, remote regions, and those seeking environmentally friendly energy solutions.
Charging lithium iron phosphate batteries with a generator
It is not advisable to use a generator directly when charging lithium iron phosphate batteries.
Because the electricity generated by generators is usually alternating current or pulsating direct current, and lithium iron phosphate batteries require stable direct current for charging.
It can be converted and used through devices such as inverters.
Charging with AC power supply
Using AC power to charge lithium iron phosphate (ЛиФеПО4) batteries is a convenient and reliable method.
To improve the effectiveness of using charge lifepo4 battery with power supply, it is recommended to use inverters with hybrid functionality.
This type of inverter integrates solar charging control function and is equipped with an AC charging module, which can charge the battery through a generator or grid.
This method is suitable for grid connected and emergency backup power systems, providing diverse charging options.
LiFePO4 charging algorithm
Литий-железо-фосфат (ЛиФеПО4) batteries are charged using constant current constant voltage (CCCV) charging technology.
The charging process is divided into two main stages: constant current charging stage (also known as high current charging stage) and constant voltage charging stage (also known as absorption charging stage).
This is similar to the charging process of lead-acid batteries, with the main difference being their respective voltage setting parameters.
During the constant current charging stage, the charger of lithium iron phosphate (ЛиФеПО4) batteries charges at a preset current and gradually increases the voltage to the preset charging voltage.
Users can set the charging current and voltage values.
After entering the constant voltage charging stage, the charger will maintain a constant target voltage.
The charging current will gradually decrease as the battery approaches full charge.
The goal of this stage is to achieve and maintain the preset voltage level.
В отличие от свинцово-кислотных аккумуляторов, which have three charging stages and need to be fully charged every day to prevent sulfation.
Lithium iron phosphate batteries do not require trickle charging or float charging maintenance due to their low self discharge rate.
In practical use, people often ask: Do lithium iron phosphate (ЛиФеПО4) batteries need float charging?
The answer is no.
This question is often due to the fact that many charging controllers provide multiple settings options for different types of battery chemistry characteristics.
Например, lead-acid batteries require float charging.
Поэтому, it is also common for controllers to include adjustable float charging parameters.
If the “float charging” function of lifepo4 battery charger cannot be turned off, the float charging voltage should be set lower.
This adjustment helps prevent the battery from charging too high and avoid reducing the battery’s lifespan.
How to discharge LiFePO4 batteries?
The following are the correct steps for discharging lithium iron phosphate (ЛиФеПО4, abbreviated as LFP) батарейки:
Determine the discharge safety limit:
LiFePO4 batteries have a recommended upper limit for discharge rate, generally within the range of 1C to 3C.
Do not exceed this discharge rate to avoid damaging the battery.
1C means the battery can be discharged within one hour, while 3C means the battery can be discharged within 20 минуты.
Connect load:
Connect the LFP battery to the device or load you intend to discharge.
Ensure stable connection and correct polarity matching (positive pole connected to positive pole, negative pole connected to negative pole).
Monitoring voltage level:
В процессе выписки, use a voltmeter to continuously monitor the voltage changes of the battery.
The discharge voltage of lithium iron phosphate batteries should not be lower than 2.5V per cell to prevent over discharge damage to the battery.
Discharge at an appropriate rate:
Discharge according to the recommended discharge rate (1C to 3C) and do not exceed this range.
If the battery heats up during the discharge process, the discharge rate should be reduced.
Timely termination of discharge:
When the battery voltage drops to the recommended minimum voltage of 2.5V per cell, discharge should be stopped immediately.
If the battery voltage is lower than 2.5V per cell, it may cause irreversible damage to lithium iron phosphate batteries.
Properly store batteries:
After discharge, the lithium iron phosphate battery should be stored in a cool and dry environment.
Avoid storing the battery for a long time in a fully charged or completely empty state. The optimal storage capacity is about 50%.
How to extend the lifespan of lithium iron phosphate (ЛиФеПО4) батарейки?
For lithium iron phosphate battery packs, due to their unique performance, there are high requirements for the consistency of individual cells.
If any battery in the group differs from other batteries, it may seriously affect the performance of the entire battery pack.
The cycle life of lithium iron phosphate batteries is influenced by various factors such as the quality, specifications, frequency of use, and charging and discharging methods of the battery itself.
Поэтому, when using lithium iron phosphate batteries, attention should be paid to the correct operating methods and maintenance.
Reduce unnecessary losses and extend the lifespan of the battery.
Prevent overcharging and overdischarging of batteries
Lithium ion batteries are highly sensitive to overcharging and over discharging, so it is advisable to avoid charging the battery to 100% or discharging it below 20%.
It is recommended to start charging when the battery level drops to around 30%, and try to keep the battery level within the range of 40-80%.
This helps to extend the cycle life of the battery.
Reasonably control the charging time
It is not advisable to charge for a long time. It is recommended to use the original battery charger lifepo4 or a branded charger that meets the specifications.
Once the battery is fully charged, the power should be disconnected immediately.
Maintain battery cleanliness
Regularly clean the surface of the battery to remove dust and dirt.
Prevent impurities from entering the interior of the battery and affecting its lifespan.
Avoid the impact of extreme temperatures on batteries
Extreme temperatures are harmful to lithium-ion batteries, as being too high or too low may reduce battery life.
Try to maintain the battery temperature within the ideal range of 5 к 35 градусов Цельсия.
Avoid squeezing the battery with heavy objects
Due to the thin shell of lithium iron phosphate batteries, it is necessary to prevent the batteries from being squeezed or crushed by heavy objects.
Avoid causing battery deformation or internal short circuits.
Regular maintenance of batteries
Regularly maintain the battery, including checking the fastening status of the battery connections, cleaning the battery terminals, and inspecting the connection lines.
These maintenance measures help maintain battery performance and extend its lifespan.
Use a suitable charger
Use a charger specifically designed for lithium iron phosphate batteries.
The mismatch between the current and voltage of the charger and the battery may damage the battery and reduce its lifespan.
Поэтому, it is essential to use a legitimate and dedicated lifepo battery charger.
Do not mix different brands or models of lifepo4 charger.
What is the charging current of LiFePO4?
Стандартный зарядный ток:
The standard or recommended charging current for lithium iron phosphate batteries is generally between 0.2C and 1C.
Например, for a 100Ah capacity lithium iron phosphate battery, the standard charging current range may be 20A (0.2С) to 100A (1С).
Fast charging current:
Compared with other lithium-ion batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries can withstand higher charging currents.
The fast charging current of lithium iron phosphate batteries is generally between 1C and 3C.
Поэтому, the same 100Ah lithium iron phosphate battery can be rapidly charged with currents ranging from 100A (1С) to 300A (3С).
Balanced charging:
During the charging process of lithium iron phosphate (ЛиФеПО4) батарейки, balanced charging is required to ensure uniform charging of each battery in the battery pack.
The current for balanced charging is generally between 0.1C and 0.2C.
For a 100Ah capacity lithium iron phosphate battery, the balanced charging current should be set between 10A (0.1С) and 20A (0.2С).
Trickle charging:
After the lithium iron phosphate battery is fully charged, a trickle charging current of 0.01C to 0.05C can be used to maintain the battery’s fully charged state.
For a 100Ah capacity lithium iron phosphate battery, the trickle charging current should be controlled between 1A (0.01С) and 5A (0.05С).
Charging method for lithium iron phosphate (ЛиФеПО4) battery pack
Constant voltage charging method
During constant voltage charging, the lifepo battery charger maintains a fixed output voltage.
As the charging status of the lithium iron phosphate battery pack changes, the charging current will automatically adjust.
If the set constant voltage is appropriate, this charging method can ensure that the battery is fully charged while minimizing gas production and water loss to the greatest extent possible.
Однако, due to the fact that this charging method is only based on changes in battery voltage, it cannot fully reflect the charging status of the battery.
If the initial charging current is too high, it may cause damage to the battery.
Поэтому, the constant voltage charging method is rarely used in practical applications.
Constant current charging method
В процессе зарядки, a constant charging current is maintained by adjusting the output voltage.
Under this charging method, the charging speed is relatively mild and the control method is relatively simple.
Однако, due to the gradual decrease in the current that lithium battery packs can accept during the charging process, the battery’s ability to accept charging current decreases in the later stages of charging, leading to a significant decrease in charging efficiency.
The advantage of this method is that it is simple to operate, easy to implement, and convenient for calculating the charging amount.
Constant current constant voltage charging method:
This charging technology combines two basic charging modes.
The first stage uses constant current charging to prevent excessive current during the initial charging stage, as may occur during the initial stage of constant voltage charging.
The second stage is to switch to constant voltage charging to prevent overcharging issues that may arise from constant current charging.
Lithium iron phosphate battery packs, like other types of sealed rechargeable batteries, require strict control during charging to avoid overcharging.
Because this may damage the battery.
LFP batteries usually adopt a charging strategy of constant current followed by constant voltage.
Chopping charging/Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) charging method:
In this charging technology, the current is controlled through pulse width modulation.
The current provided by the constant current source remains constant, forming a periodic cycle by controlling the on and off time of the switching transistor.
The advantage of this method is that, considering the time required for ion generation and reaction inside the battery, continuous charging may limit the battery’s maximum capacity.
After a period of charging, set a stage to turn off the charging, allowing the ions generated inside the battery to have time to diffuse, which is equivalent to giving the battery a period of “rest” и “absorption”.
This approach can significantly improve the charging efficiency of lithium iron phosphate battery packs.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
What is the best practice for charging lithium iron phosphate (ЛиФеПО4) батарейки?
The best way to charge lithium iron phosphate batteries is to use a specially designed lfp battery charger.
This charger can provide suitable voltage and charging algorithm, ensuring efficient and safe battery charging.
Can you use solar energy to charge lithium iron phosphate (ЛиФеПО4) батарейки?
Solar panels cannot directly charge lithium iron phosphate batteries.
The reason is that the voltage fluctuations generated by solar panels are large and not suitable for direct charging.
In order to charge lithium iron phosphate batteries, it is necessary to use a voltage regulator circuit and an adapted lithium iron phosphate battery charging management circuit.
Do you have to use a charger specifically designed for lithium iron phosphate (ЛиФеПО4) батарейки?
Да, it is.
Choosing a charger specifically designed for lithium iron phosphate batteries is crucial.
The charging algorithm required for lifepo4 charging is different from other battery types.
Using a lifepo4 battery charger with appropriate voltage and charging settings can ensure a safe and efficient charging process.
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