ReliOn Lithium Iron Phosphate LiFePO4 Batteries Instructions

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:

1. 0°C to -10°C (32°F to 14°F) charge at 0.1C (10% of the battery capacity)
2. -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

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

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