Lithionics Battery 12V130A-G31-LRBM8 12V Battery User Guide

Lithionics Battery 12V130A-G31-LRBM8 12V Battery

Safety

• All electrical work should be performed in accordance with local and national electrical codes.
• Assume that voltage is present at the battery terminals, use insulated tools and gloves while working on the system.
• Always turn off equipment connected to the battery in addition to turning OFF the Power switch on the battery to isolate it from other electrical circuits, before performing any repairs or maintenance on the system.
• Always use proper wire sizes to connect the system to inverters, chargers or other equipment.
• Always use crimped connections to connect to the battery terminals.
• Read and follow the inverter, charger or other equipment manufacturers’ safety precautions prior to connecting the battery to that equipment.
• Always use charging equipment compatible with Lithium Iron Phosphate battery chemistry. See the battery charging section below.

Overview

The 12V130A-G31-LRBM8 battery is a lithium-ion iron phosphate (LiFePO4) chemistry battery with an internal Battery Management System (BMS) technology called NeverDie® Compact BMS. The BMS monitors voltage, current and temperature of the cells inside the battery and protects the battery from potential damage by disconnecting the battery circuit when the monitored parameters go outside of the allowed limits. The BMS also transmits monitoring data over the integrated Bluetooth interface, allowing customers to check the battery data on their mobile phones or tablets.

Battery Installation

Before installation, check the battery for visible damage including cracks, dents, deformation and other visible abnormalities. The top surface of the battery and terminal connections should be clean, free of dirt and corrosion, and dry. Battery power should be turned off prior to the installation and for storage. Check the LED integrated into the Power button to make sure it is completely off. If the LED is on or blinking, press and hold the Power button for 3 seconds until LED turns off. Lithium batteries do not release gas during normal use. There are no specific ventilation requirements for battery installation, although enough airflow should be provided to prevent excessive heat build-up. The battery should be stored and installed in a clean, cool and dry place, keeping water, oil, and dirt away from the battery. If any of these materials can accumulate on the top surface of the battery, current leakage can occur, resulting in self-discharge and possible short circuits.

The orientation of the battery must be with the terminals facing up as shown. Sideways, and upside-down orientations are not permitted and will void the warranty. The battery is equipped with two flat threaded terminals designed for a 5/16” or M8 size ring terminal lugs secured by the included M8 bolts, flat washers and lock washers. When using flat washers and lock washers, it is critical to place the ring terminal lug in direct contact with the top surface of the power terminal first and then place the washers on top of the lug. Connect the positive and negative battery cables with correct polarity and double check the polarity of battery circuit to avoid potential equipment and battery damage.

CAUTION: Do NOT place any washers between the battery power terminal and the ring terminal lug, as this could create a high resistance path and cause excessive heating of the connection which could then lead to permanent battery damage and/or fire. If you must attach more than one lug to each terminal, ensure that at least 1/4” or 6mm of bolt thread is available to secure the connection. Additionally, the ring terminal lugs need to be “clocked” in such a way that they do not interfere with their flat conducting surfaces. Acquire and use longer M8x1.25mm stainless bolts as necessary. Tighten both M8 power terminal bolts to 108in-lbs/12.2Nm to ensure there is good contact with the ring terminal lug.
CAUTION: Over-tightening the terminal bolts can damage the terminal. Loose terminal bolts can result in a high resistance connection which could then lead to permanent battery damage and/or fire.

For parallel battery connecting, the use of bus bars or diagonal take-off points is required.
CAUTION: Improper terminal connection or lug stacking may cause battery damage that is not covered under warranty.

The battery cables should be sized to handle the expected load. Refer to NEC Table 310.15(B)16 for the maximum amperage based on the cable gauge size. Cable lengths more than 6 feet may require heavier gauge wire to avoid unacceptable voltage drop. When connecting multiple batteries in parallel to make larger battery banks, it is preferable for all parallel cables to be the same length. For more information refer to the National Electrical Code for correct cable size, which can be located at www.nfpa.org The battery circuit must be properly fused to handle the expected load and not to exceed the battery specifications. After installation is complete, turn on the battery power by a short-press of the Power button. The LED indicator will illuminate to confirm the battery’s powered on state.DO NOT connect multiple batteries in series to get higher voltage as it will damage the internal BMS. DO NOT attempt to disassemble the battery, as it could lead to permanent battery damage and will void your battery warranty.

First Power-up

The battery needs to be fully charged to 14.4V to condition the battery for use. Fully charging the battery calibrates the state-of-charge percentage to be the most accurate and allows the cells to balance if necessary. The battery should be fully charged to 14.4V at least once every 2 weeks.

Operation

Before powering on, ensure the battery terminals are insulated and any connected devices are properly fused. Due to shipping laws and regulations, your battery may be received at a partial state of charge (typically 50%). The battery needs to be fully charged before use. This is necessary to calibrate the state-of-charge meter.

• Powering the Battery On The power button is located on the battery lid and/or on the remote accessory harness extension. To turn the battery on, press the power button for one second. The power button status light will illuminate solid on to confirm the battery is powered on and operating normally.
• Powering the Battery Off Be sure to shut down any high amperage loads prior to turning the battery off. To turn the battery off, press and hold the power button for 3 seconds. The power button status light will turn off to confirm that battery power is off.
• Resetting Power after a Protection Event If the battery detects a fault then it may turn power off. The battery can then be reset by pressing the power button for one second.
• Discharging may be performed at any time the system is powered On. The NeverDie® feature allows the system to have a “reserve” amount of energy left in the battery. Once the system is discharged to approximately 12.0V or 10% state-of-charge, whichever comes first, power will be off to leave a “reserve” amount of energy still left in the battery. The battery will also disconnect power if the voltage, amperage, or temperature limits are exceeded during discharging. To enable the remaining reserve energy of the system, press the BMS power button for 1 second. Once the reserve range is enabled the battery should be charged as soon as possible. See page 9 BMS Functions for further details.

WARNING – If the reserve energy is used and the battery module is left in a deeply discharged state without immediate charging, the battery module may become permanently damaged.

Battery Charging

The charging device(s) connected to the Lithium Battery System must be programmed per the recommended charge settings below. Using an improper charger or charge settings could result in undesirable battery performance and accelerated wear. The battery will disconnect power if the voltage, amperage, or temperature limits are exceeded during charging. Please note that voltage rise during bulk charge stage is very slow, followed by a fast voltage rise at the end of charge. Once charge is completed, the voltage drops down to a resting level. This behavior is normal and should not cause any concerns.

Recommended Charge Settings

Recommended Bulk Charging Voltage| 14.4V
Recommended Absorb Charging Voltage| 14.4V
Recommended Absorb Cycle Time| 30 Minutes
Maximum Absorb Cycle Time| 60 Minutes
Recommend Float Voltage| 13.4V
Maximum Float Voltage| 13.6V
Equalization Mode| Disabled
Temperature Compensation| Disabled

A lithium iron phosphate (described as LFP or LiFePO4) charger or charging profile is required for battery charging. The battery charge voltage should be set to 14.4V, equalization and temperature compensation must be disabled, and if the charger supports float mode, set it to 13.4 – 13.6V. If you are not sure if your charger is suitable for charging your battery, contact Lithionics Battery® or your dealer to confirm charger compatibility, or to purchase compatible charger.

NOTE: Due to partial state-of-charge during storage and shipping, the cells inside the battery may not be perfectly balanced during the first few charge cycles. You may observe some high voltage alerts and cell balancing status codes on the Lithionics Battery® Monitor app, which indicate the balancing process is in progress. This is perfectly normal behavior and should not cause any concerns. After a few full charge cycles the cells will balance out and these alerts will disappear. There is no adverse effect on battery operation,you may continue to use the battery normally during these initial charge cycles. Screen shots on the left show examples of status codes related to cell balancing.

Power Button with Status Light
The BMS power button is located on the battery lid and includes a status light. You can also attach the optional remote power button (Lithionics Part # 75-224-196) via the panel mount connector. This can be useful if the battery is installed in a location that is not easily accessible. The function and operation of the remote power button remains the same as the main power button on the battery.

Power Button Operation

Power ON| Press for 1 Second
Power OFF| Press for 3 Seconds
Power Reset| Press for 1 Second (after protection event)

Refer to the table below for an explanation of the power button status light blink patterns.

Maintenance and Storage

• Maintenance For optimal performance when in use, the battery should be fully charged to 14.4V at least once every 2 weeks. Fully charging the battery calibrates the state-of-charge percentage to be the most accurate and allows the cells to balance if necessary.
• Storage Storing your battery at the correct specifications is important as it keeps the battery in the healthiest state possible. Consult the table below for proper storage conditions.

Storage Temperature & Humidity Range| < 1 Month| -4~95°F (-20~35°C), 45~75%RH
---|---|---
< 3 Months| 14~86°F (-10~30°C), 45~75%RH
Long Term Storage| If the battery needs to be stored for > 3 months the voltage should be 13.2V (50% state-of-charge) and stored at the recommended storage specifications shown above. Additionally, the battery needs at least one charge & discharge cycle every six months.
Self-Discharge Rate| ≤3% per month

Typical storage example < 1 month:

1. Fully charge the battery.
2. Turn the battery OFF using the battery power button.
3. Keep the battery in an environment according to the specifications shown above.

Typical storage example > 1 month, up to 6 months maximum:

1. Reduce the battery state-of-charge to 13.2V which is 50% ±10% state-of-charge.
2. Turn the battery OFF via the BMS power button.
3. Keep the battery in an environment according to the specifications shown above.
4. Every 6 months charge the battery to 100% state-of-charge, then discharge the battery to LVC, then charge it back to 50% ±10% state-of-charge.

Bluetooth App

Lithionics Battery® has developed the Lithionics Battery® Monitor app for iOS and Android mobile platforms, which allows real time battery information. The battery must be turned on via the Power button before the Bluetooth connection can be made. When the battery is turned off, Bluetooth is also powered off to save energy. This app can be downloaded for free on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store for your iOS 12.4+ or Android 5.0+ device.

To connect Bluetooth:

1. The battery must be in the ON position.
2. Bluetooth must be enabled on your device.
3. Open the Lithionics Battery® Monitor App and accept location permissions.
4. Under the Device List, select the battery you would like to monitor (the device name is identified by the battery serial number).

Once the Bluetooth connection is made to the battery, the Battery Info section of the app automatically displays. This section provides useful info such as the battery state-ofcharge percentage, voltage, current, power, internal cell temperature, BMS temperature, power state and estimated time remaining. Clicking on the Status Code at the bottom automatically opens the Status Code reader section.

The Status Code Reader section of the app makes it easy to visualize the status by observing the color-coded table, see example to the left. Each active description is color coded in green or red, where green indicates information and red indicates faults or critical conditions requiring attention, such as immediate need to charge the battery.

The Bluetooth app can also be used to access the Firmware Update section of the app. The BMS firmware version and update status can be found in the settings menu when connected to the Battery.
NOTE – The firmware update should only be performed if necessary.

Additionally, the app provides automatic data logging when connected to the battery. The log files can be found under the settings menu and can be easily shared from the app for troubleshooting or analyzing battery history.

BMS Functions

Below is a detailed description of advanced BMS features and how they affect the state of the battery. Some features depend on setup parameters which are described in detail in the Configuration section of this user guide.

• Power On/Off – In addition to the automatic disconnect protections, the battery can be manually turned off to disconnect power at the terminals during installation, service, or storage.
• Reserve Voltage Cutoff (RVC) – During discharge, the BMS will disable discharge current at approximately 10% stateof-charge, or when any cell reaches 3.0V (approximately 12.0V total voltage). This allows the battery to store a small energy reserve. Once the battery is in the RVC state you can use the reserve energy by a short press of the power button.
  • It is recommended to charge the battery soon once it reaches RVC.
  • The battery will fully power off if it is not charged after sitting for 72 hours to further conserve its energy.
• Low Voltage Cutoff (LVC) – During discharge, the BMS will disable discharge current when any cell reaches the 2.6V (approximately 10.4V total voltage). Charging current is allowed, so that the battery can still be charged by a charging source. Some charging sources require to “see” the battery voltage before allowing charging, in which case LVC lockout can be temporarily overridden by short-pressing the Power button. This will allow the charger to sense the battery voltage, so charging can begin.
  • It is recommended to charge the battery immediately once it reaches LVC.
  • The battery will fully power off if it is not charged after sitting 12 hours to further conserve its energy.
• High Voltage Cutoff (HVC) – During charging, the BMS will disable charge current if any cell reaches 3.75V or higher (approximately 14.8V total voltage). This should not happen during normal operation if the charging sources are setup with correct charge settings. Once the charge current is removed the battery voltage will slowly lower and the BMS will automatically disengage HVC.
• Cell Temperature-Based Cutoff – When the internal battery temperature goes below or above the temperature limits the BMS will disable charge or discharge current to prevent further use of the battery until the temperature returns to safe operating limits. Different temperature limits are enforced for charging and discharging due to the nature of LiFePO4 chemistry. Please see the specifications table below for temperature limits.
• BMS Temperature-Based Cutoff – When the BMS temperature goes above 180F the BMS will disable charge and discharge current to prevent further use of the battery until the temperature lowers to below 160F.
• Over Current Protection – The BMS will disable discharge or charge current if the amperage exceeds 125A for 2 minutes continuously. To restore normal operation, remove/address the source of the overload, then short-press the Power Button.
• Short Circuit Protection – The BMS will immediately disable discharge current if the current value exceeds 1200A. To restore normal operation, remove/address the source of the short circuit, then short-press the Power Button.

NOTE – The lithium battery is capable of significant power output and may maintain the voltage level during a short circuit event, producing a very large current capable of melting or welding connection points and damaging cables and connectors. Even when the BMS detects the short circuit and tries to protect, the BMS may be damaged under such a large current. Make sure that the battery connection is always properly fused and does not rely on the BMS alone for short-circuit protection!

Battery Specifications

Temperature Cutoff, Short Circuit Protection, Bluetooth App Support , Remote Reset

Port

NOTE: Battery may not be connected in series to make 24 volts or higher.
Charge
Charging temperature range| 32~113°F (0~45°C)
Charge voltage| 14.4±0.1V
Recommended float charge voltage (for standby use)| 13.5±0.1V
Recommended charge current| ≤50A
Allowed max charge current| 100A with starting temp of 77°F (25°C)
Discharge
Discharging temperature range| -4~131°F (-20~55°C)
Output Voltage Range| 10.4~14.6V
Recommended discharge current| ≤80A
Max continuous discharge current| 100A with starting temp of 77°F (25°C)
Surge discharge current| <400A for 30s max with starting temp of 77°F (25°C)
Pulse discharge current| <1000A for 1s max with starting temp of 77°F (25°C)
Reserve cut-off voltage| 12.0V±0.05V
Discharge cut-off voltage| 10.4±0.1V
Mechanical Characteristics
Dimensions| Length 12.5in (318mm)
Width 6.5in (165mm)
Height 8.46in (215mm)
Weight| Approx. 33.4lbs (15.1Kg)
Storage
Storage Temperature & Humidity Range| < 1 Month| -4~95°F (-20~35°C), 45~75%RH
< 3 Months| 14~86°F (-10~30°C), 45~75%RH
Recommended storage| 59~95°F (15~35°C)，45%RH~75％RH
Long Term Storage| If the battery needs to be stored for > 3 months the voltage should be 13.2V (50%SoC) and stored at the recommended storage specifications shown above. Additionally, the battery needs at least one charge & discharge cycle every six months.
Self-discharge rate| Residual capacity| ≤3% per month; ≤15% per year
Reversible capacity| ≤1.5%per month; ≤8% per year

Troubleshooting & FAQ

When troubleshooting your battery, one of the most helpful tools is the battery Status Code feature of the Lithionics Battery Monitor App. If the battery shuts down due to a protective BMS feature, please have the Bluetooth app available when resetting the battery to identify the battery info and status code. It can be helpful to screenshot the battery info screen, which will identify the battery state-of-charge, voltage, current, temperature, and status code. The following status code descriptions can be used in correcting the battery fault condition.

Description of Status Codes in the Lithionics Battery Monitor App

High Voltage State| The battery’s voltage is too high, typically 14.8V (3.75V per cell).
Cell Temp High/Low| The battery’s internal temperature is outside of the operating limits.
NeverDie® Reserve| The battery is in the NeverDie® Reserve State, allowing access to reserve energy.
BMS Temp High| The temperature of the BMS is too high, typically due to high charge or discharge current.
Reserve Range| The battery’s voltage is low (below 12.0V and/or 10%) and should be charged soon.
Low Voltage State| The battery’s voltage is very low (below 10.4V) and should be charged immediately.
Battery Overload| The charge or discharge current is over 125A and power will be turned off after 2 minutes.
Power Off State| The battery was turned off by the Power Button.
Overcurrent State| The discharge current has exceeded 600A, and power is now turned off.
Short Circuit Protection| The discharge current has exceeded 1200A, and power is now turned off.
Cell Over-Voltage| One of the battery’s cell voltages is too high. Charge current to the battery is disabled.
Cell Under-Voltage| One of the battery’s cell voltages is too low. Discharge current from the battery is disabled.
BMS fault| A BMS fault is present.
Cell 1 Balancing| Cell 1 is balancing.
Cell 2 Balancing| Cell 2 is balancing.
Cell 3 Balancing| Cell 3 is balancing.
Cell 4 Balancing| Cell 4 is balancing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. The battery has been charging for a long time, why has it not reached 100%?
   Depending on the charger output, charging could take several hours to complete. To confirm the battery is charging, check the Bluetooth app to verify positive current is going into the battery. The voltage rise during bulk charge stage is very slow, followed by a fast voltage rise at the end of charge to 14.4V. Once the battery reaches 14.4V, the State-of-Charge percentage will calibrate to 100%. If no current is measured, confirm the charger is powered on, programmed correctly, and there are no Fuses, DC breakers or disconnect switches preventing power from transferring.

2. The battery is at 100%, why is it still charging?
   It is normal for the charger to finish the charging cycle for a short period of time after the State-of-Charge percentage calibrates to 100%. A 30-60 minute absorb cycle is recommended as the battery finishes charging and the charging current reduced. The charger should then switch to a float charging mode at the battery resting voltage.

3. I have lost battery power, why did the battery turn off?
   The battery has many automatic protections that could cause the battery to turn off. Most commonly, the battery will turn off once you reach the 10% reserve range and just needs to be recharged. Using the Bluetooth app and Status Code can provide you with helpful information for troubleshooting.

4. Why is the battery status light flashing?
   The LED flash pattern can indicate if the battery is being charged, in a low voltage state, or experiencing a fault condition. Reference the chart on page 6 for the status light pattern descriptions.

Contact Information

For technical or warranty support please first contact the dealer where the system was purchased. Additionally, for factory support please send an email with your battery’s serial number to Support@LithionicsBattery.com

LITHIONICS BATTERY, CLEARWATER, FL 33765 USA
PH: 727.726.4204 | FAX: 727.797.8046 | WEB: LITHIONICSBATTERY.COM

References

• Lithionics Battery
• NFPA | The National Fire Protection Association
• NFPA | The National Fire Protection Association

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