LiFePO4 batteries (or LFP batteries), are one of the most popular kinds of batteries used in converted vehicles as leisure batteries, and in electric vehicles as the main battery. They have significant advantages over other battery types, with minimal disadvantages. They are more expensive than most other batteries, but their cost is falling and they are likely the best option for most new builds.
"LiFePO4" is short for lithium ferrophosphate, or lithium iron phosphate, the battery chemistry. LiFePO4 batteries are one type of lithium battery. Due to the subscript 4 which is difficult to type, these batteries are commonly referred to simply as "LiFePO4" in print.
Keeping LiFePO4 batteries happy
- moderate charge and discharge rates - ≤0.5C, and ≤0.2C for increased longevity
- at moderate charging voltages - like 13.8v
- allowed to come off charging voltage after attaining the desired SoC - like pseudo-floating at ≤13.6v
- discharging to ≤80% depth of discharge (≥20% state of charge)
- at human-comfortable temperatures. Notably, Li is immediately and irreversibly damaged by charging when cells are at ~freezing temps.
Buy LiFePO4 batteries
- lifepo4prices.com - filterable list of batteries available on Amazon