ReliOn Lithium Iron Phosphate LiFePO4 Batteries Instructions
- June 11, 2024
- RELiON
Table of Contents
- RELiON LITHIUM IRON PHOSPHATE (LiFePO4) BATTERIES
- Charging Temperature
- Charge Profiles
- 1-Stage Charge Profile – CC
- 2 Stage Charge Profile – CC-CV
- Charging Parallel Systems
- Stage Charge Profile – CC
- Stage Charge Profile – CC-CV
- Charging Series Systems
- Charging Source: Inverter/Charger and/or Charge Controller
- Operational Parameters
- Charging Source: Alternator and DC to DC Chargers
- Fuel Gauges
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
ReliOn Lithium Iron Phosphate LiFePO4 Batteries
RELiON LITHIUM IRON PHOSPHATE (LiFePO4) BATTERIES
To ensure your RELiON Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery provide its maximum life, follow these Charging Instructions. When charging LiFePO4 make sure that you are not using a charger meant for other lithium ion chemistries, which are typically set to a higher voltage than required by LiFePO4 batteries
Charger Inspection
Check that your charger’s cables are insulated and free of breakage. Charger terminal connectors should be clean and properlymate with the battery terminals to ensure a good connection and optimum conductivity. Please refer to RELiON’s Installation and Operation Manual, or your specific battery’s Data Sheet, for appropriate torque settings.
Charging Guidelines
When to Charge your LiFePO4 Battery
If LiFePO4 batteries are not fully discharged, they do not need to be charged
after each use. LiFePO4 batteries do not get damaged when left in a partial
state of charge (PSOC). You can charge your LiFePO4 batteries after each use
or when they have been discharged up to 80% DOD (20% SOC). If the Battery
Management System (BMS) disconnects the battery due to low voltage (voltage
will be <8V), remove the load and charge immediately. Please note that we
recommend storing batteries at 50% state of charge (SOC) to minimize
irreversible capacity loss.
Charging Temperature
LiFePO4 batteries can be safely charged between -20°C to 55°C (-4°F to 131°F). However, at temperatures below 0°C (32°F) the charge current must be reduced, until the temperature is >0ºC (32ºF), as follows:
- 0°C to -10°C (32°F to 14°F) charge at 0.1C (10% of the battery capacity)
- -10°C to -20°C (14°F to -4°F) charge at 0.05C (5% of the battery capacity)
LiFePO4 batteries do not require temperature compensation for voltage when charging at hot or cold temperatures.
All RELiON LiFePO4 come with a BMS that protects the battery from over- temperature. If the BMS disconnects due to high temperature, wait until the temperature reduces before using or charging the battery. Please refer to your specific battery’s Data Sheet for the BMS high temperature cut-off and reconnect values.
Charge Profiles
LiFePO4 batteries can be charged with either a 1-stage profile (constant current (CC) aka Bulk Stage) or a 2-stage profile (constant current, constant voltage (CC-CV) profile aka Bulk and Absorption Stages). The 1-stage profile will charge the battery ~97% and the 2-stage profile will charge the battery 100%. The 1-stage profile is sufficient, since LiFePO4 batteries do not need to be fully charged; this will not reduce life as it does with lead-acid.
1-Stage Charge Profile – CC
1-STEP CHARGE DESCRIPTION| STEPS| DESCRIPTION| CHARGE PARAMETERS (C = Battery
Capacity)
---|---|---|---
Step 1 – Charge at a constant current until the battery reaches termination
voltage.| 1| *Recommended Charge Current| ≤0.5C or 50A (the lower of the two
values)
**Maximum Charge Current| 1C or 100A (the lower of the two values)
SYSTEM VOLTAGE| 12V| 24V| 36V| 48V
Stop| Termination Voltage| 14V – 14.6V| 28V – 29.2V| 42V – 43.8V| 56V – 58.4V
2 Stage Charge Profile – CC-CV
2-STEP CHARGE DESCRIPTION| STEPS| DESCRIPTION| CHARGE PARAMETERS (C = Battery
Capacity)
---|---|---|---
Step 1 – Charge at a constant current until the battery reaches absorption
voltage.| 1| *Recommended Charge Current| ≤0.5C or 50A (the lower of the two
values)
**Maximum Charge Current| 1C or 100A (the lower of the two values)
| SYSTEM VOLTAGE| 12V| 24V| 36V| 48V
Step 2 – Hold absorption voltage until charge reduces to termination current.|
2| Absorption Voltage| 14V – 14.6V| 28V – 29.2V| 42V – 43.8V| 56V – 58.4V
Stop| Termination Current| ≤0.5C or 5A (the lower of the two values)
Charging Parallel Systems
When connecting batteries in parallel, please make sure each battery is within 50mV (0.05V) of each other before putting them in service. This will minimize the chance of imbalance between batteries.
Stage Charge Profile – CC
1-STEP CHARGE DESCRIPTION| STEPS| DESCRIPTION| CHARGE PARAMETERS (C = Battery
Capacity)
---|---|---|---
Step 1 – Charge at a constant current until the battery reaches termination
voltage.| 1| *Recommended Charge Current| Per battery ≤0.5C or 50A (the lower
of the two values)
**Maximum Charge Current| Per battery 0.75C or 75A (the lower of the two
values)
SYSTEM VOLTAGE| 12V| 24V| 36V| 48V
Stop| Termination Voltage| 14V – 14.2V| 28V – 28.4V| 42V – 42.6V| 56V – 56.8V
Stage Charge Profile – CC-CV
1-STEP CHARGE DESCRIPTION| STEPS| DESCRIPTION| CHARGE PARAMETERS (C = Battery
Capacity)
---|---|---|---
Step 1 – Charge at a constant current until the battery reaches absorption
voltage.
Step 2 – Hold absorption voltage until charge reduces to termination current.
| 1| *Recommended Charge Current| Per battery ≤0.5C or 50A (the lower of the
two values)
**Maximum Charge Current| Per battery 0.75C or 75A (the lower of the two
values)
SYSTEM VOLTAGE| 12V| 24V| 36V| 48V
2| Absorption Voltage| 14V – 14.2V| 28V – 28.4V| 42V – 42.6V| 56V – 56.8V
Stop| Termination Current| ≤0.5C or 5A (the lower of the two values)
- Charge current must be reduced at temperatures <00C (320F). See details in Charge Temperature section.
** For optimum life, charge at recommended rate. Some models are specially designed to allow for higher current.
If your charger’s voltage is lower than those listed in the tables, it will not damage your battery, however it will be under-charged, and it will not provide the full rated capacity of the battery. If your charger’s voltages are higher than those listed in the tables above, the BMS may disconnect the battery and you may have to remove the load to reconnect. We recommend you replace the charger to avoid this inconvenience.
Charging Series Systems
When connecting batteries in series, please make sure each battery is within 50mV (0.05V) of each other before putting them in service. This will minimize the chance of imbalance between batteries. If your batteries get out of balance, the voltage of any battery is >50mV (0.05V) from another battery in the set, you should charge each battery individually to rebalance. You can charge each battery individually periodically to avoid imbalance. When charging LiFePO4 batteries in series, it is best to use a multi-bank charger that charges each battery individually to ensure the cells remain balanced. Refer to tables on page 2 for charging parameters for series systems.
Charging Source: Inverter/Charger and/or Charge Controller
chargers require additional parameters, please contact RELiON technical support for assistance. LiFePO4 batteries do not require equalizing. LiFePO4 batteries do not require temperature compensation for voltage when charging at hot or cold temperatures.
Operational Parameters
PARAMETER | 12V SYSTEM | 24V SYSTEM | 48V SYSTEM |
---|---|---|---|
Bulk Voltage | 14V – 14.6V | 28V – 29.2V | 56V – 58.4V |
Absorption Voltage | 14V – 14.6V | 28V – 29.2V | 56V – 58.4V |
Absorption Time | 0- 6 min | 0- 6 min | 0- 6 min |
Float Voltage | 13.3V – 13.8V | 26.6V – 27.6V | 53.2V – 55.2V |
Low Voltage Cutoff | 11V – 12V | 22V – 24V | 44V – 48V |
High Voltage Cutoff | 14.6V | 29.2V | 58.4V |
Note: Charge current must be reduced at temperatures below 0°C (32*F). See details in Charge Temperature section.
Charging Source: Alternator and DC to DC Chargers
Depending on the quality of the alternator it may work fine with LiFePO4 batteries. However, low quality alternators with poor voltage regulation can cause the BMS to disconnect LiFePO4 batteries. If the BMS disconnects the batteries the alternator may be damaged. To protect your LiFePO4 battery and alternator please be sure to use a compatible high-quality alternator or install a voltage regulator. You can also use a DC to DC charger to safely and effectively charge your batteries including house banks.
Fuel Gauges
If you are using a voltage-based fuel gauge that is designed for lead-acid
batteries it will not accurately provide state of charge (SOC). Please replace
your fuel gauge with one that measures current rather than voltage.
If you have any technical questions, please contact RELiON Technical Support
at803-547-7288 or our toll-free number
855-931-2466
relionbattery.com
+1.803.547.7288 •
TOLL FREE: 855-931-2466 | N85
W12545 Westbrook Crossing •
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051