RELiON Legacy Series Deep Cycle Lithium Batteries User Manual
- June 6, 2024
- RELiON
Table of Contents
Legacy Series Deep Cycle Lithium Batteries
User Manual
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RELiON BATTERY USER MANUAL
This User Manual was created by RELiON’s engineering team and contains
important information regarding the proper care and maintenance of your
lithium battery. This manual only applies to RELiON Lithium Batteries. It does
not apply to other lithium batteries or chemistries. Please read through the
guide in detail before installing and using your new battery. Reading this
guide in its entirety will help you achieve high performance and long life
from your lithium battery investment. Should you have any questions concerning
safety precautions, installation or use of your lithium battery, please
contact us at RELiON-Technical@OneASG.com or call
855-931-2466 (toll-free) or +1
803-547-7288 (international).
This manual only applies to RELiON Lithium Batteries. It does not apply to
other lithium batteries or chemistries.
SAFETY
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are inherently safe chemistry. Please reference RELiON’s Lithium Iron Phosphate Safety Document (available at relionbattery.com) for more details. However, as with any electronics, safety measures should always be taken. Please adhere to the instructions within this manual for safe handling and operation. · Always wear protective gear when handling batteries
- Use a wrench with a rubber-coated handle
- Do not place any objects on top of batteries
- Do not place batteries on a metallic surface
- Check that all cables are in good condition
- Make sure all cable connections are properly tightened
- Install and remove batteries using the lifting handles provided
- Keep sparks, flames and metal objects away from batteries
- Have RELiON’s SDS on the premises
- Have an ABC extinguisher of the following type: a foam extinguisher, CO2, ABC dry chemical, powdered graphite, copper powder or soda (sodium carbonate) on the premises
- Do not install batteries in a zero-clearance compartment, overheating may result. Always leave at least 4″ of space around all sides and top of the battery
- Keep any flammable/combustible material (e.g., paper, cloth, plastic, etc.) that may be ignited by heat, sparks, or flames at a minimum distance of two feet away from the batteries
- The battery compartment and any material within two feet should be noncombustible
EQUIPMENT
The following equipment may be required to install your battery: · Protective Gear; gloves and eye protection · Wrench with insulated/rubber-coated handle · Voltmeter
LiFePO4 BATTERY BASICS (VS. LEAD-ACID)
3.1. Basic Construction
RELiON LiFePO4 battery packs include two main components:
- Individual cells assembled inside a plastic or steel case
- An internal BMS (Battery Management System) to protect the battery from the abusive operation
3.2. Cell and Battery Pack Voltages
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Nominal Voltage| Lead-Acid Equivalent Nominal
Voltage
---|---
Cell = 3.2V| Cell = 2.0V
12.8V – 4 cells in series| 12V
25.6V – 8 cells in series| 24V
38.4V – 12 cells in series| 36V
51.2V – 16 cells in series| 48V
BATTERY INSTALLATION
4.1. Battery Connections
To maximize the performance and to ensure the safe operation of your battery,
use the appropriate cable size and tighten connections using the proper torque
value. Refer to the datasheet for your particular battery’s torque value. It
is recommended to use a washer. Place the washer between the cable lug and
nut, not between the cable lug and battery terminal surface.
4.2. Cable Size
Choose the appropriate cable size based on the expected load of your system.
See the table below ENEC 310.15 (B)(16) Allowable Ampacities for copper
cables rated at 167°F (75°C) operating at an ambient temperature of 86°F
(30°C).
Wire Gauge (AWG) Copper Conductors | Ampacity (Amps) |
---|---|
14 | 25 |
12 | 30 |
10 | 40 |
8 | 55 |
6 | 75 |
4 | 95 |
2 | 130 |
1 | 150 |
Jan-00 | 170 |
Feb-00 | 195 |
Apr-00 | 260 |
4.3. Torque Values
Terminal connections should adhere to the appropriate torque values for the
specified terminal type to provide optimum electrical conductivity. Refer to
the datasheet for your particular battery’s torque value. Over- or under-
tightening the connections can result in terminal breakage, over-heating,
and/or terminal melting. Use a rubber-handled or insulated wrench when making
terminal connections to avoid an external short circuit.”
4.4. Terminal Protection
Battery terminals may be covered with a plastic cap to prevent an external
short circuit. Terminals must be covered with a protective cap or non-
conductive tape prior to battery disposal to a lithium recycler.
4.5. Battery Orientation
- Lithium batteries can be placed upright or on their sides.
- Do not install batteries in a zero-clearance compartment, overheating may result. Always leave at least 4″ of space around all sides and top of the battery.
- Keep any flammable/combustible material (e.g., paper, cloth, plastic, etc.) that may be ignited by heat, sparks, or flames at a minimum distance of two feet away from the batteries.
- The battery compartment and any material within two feet should be noncombustible.
4.6. Series or Parallel Connections
When connecting batteries in series or parallel, please follow these
guidelines:
- Make sure each battery is within 50mV (0.05V) of each other before putting them in service. This will minimize the chance of an 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.
- Size batteries in parallel accordingly: The capacity of batteries (rated in amp-hours) when connected in parallel is increased by the multiple of the batteries connected (2x, 3x, 4x, etc). However, the current ratings (discharge and charge) for parallel batteries is only increased by 75% of the multiple of the batteries connected (1.5x, 2.25x, 3x, etc).
- Batteries connected in series are best charged as individual batteries. charging as a series bank can lead to imbalances and reduced runtime, requiring an occasional individual balancing charge.
- Please reference RELiON’s LiFePO4 Charging Instructions document (available on our website at relionbattery.com) for series and parallel charging.
Specifications for Batteries in Parallel
Battery Quantity | v | 2 | 3 | 4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Voltage | 12.8 | 12.8 | 12.8 | 12.8 |
Capacity (Ah) | 100 | 200 | 300 | 400 |
Max Continuous Discharge Current | 100 | 150 | 225 | 300 |
Peak Discharge Current | 200 | 300 | 450 | 600 |
Rec’d Charge Current | 50 | 75 | 113 | 150 |
Max Charge Current | 100 | 150 | 225 | 300 |
BATTERY STORAGE
5.1. Storage Temperature
LiFePO4 can be stored between 23°F to 95°F (-5°C to 35°C). For storage longer
than 3 months, the recommended temperature range is 32°F to 77°F (0°C to
25°C).
5.2. Storage Conditions
It is recommended to store LiFePO4 batteries at 50% state of charge (SOC). If
batteries are stored for long periods of time, cycle the batteries at least
every 6 months.
**** BATTERY DISCHARGING
6.1. Discharge Temperature
Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries generate a fraction of the heat of other
lithium chemistries making them very safe. LiFePO4 batteries can safely
operate between -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C). 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 and the BMS
reconnects the battery before using or charging the battery. Please refer to
your battery datasheet for BMS high-temperature cut-off value.
6.2. Discharging your LiFePO4 Battery
LiFePO4 batteries can be discharged up to 100% of their capacity. However, to
optimize the performance of your LiFePO4 battery, and to avoid the BMS
disconnecting the battery, we recommend limiting the discharge to 80%. Please
refer to your battery datasheet for the continuous and peak rates of discharge
for your specific battery model.
BATTERY CHARGING
7.1. 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% (20% SOC). If the BMS disconnects
the battery due to low voltage, at 100% depth of discharge, remove the load to
reconnect the battery circuit and charge immediately. Please note that we
recommend storing batteries at 50% state of charge (SOC).
7.2. Charging Temperature
Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries generate a fraction of the heat of other
lithium chemistries making them very safe. LiFePO4 batteries can safely charge
between -4°F to 131°F (-20°C to 55°C). However, at temperatures below 32°F
(0°C) the charge current must be reduced as follows:
- 32°F to 14°F (0°C to -10°C) charge at 0.1C (10% of the battery capacity)
- 14°F to -4°F (-10°C to -20°C) 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 and the BMS reconnects the
battery circuit before using or charging the battery. Please refer to your
battery datasheet for BMS high-temperature cut-off value.
7.3. Charging with Lead-Acid Chargers
Most lead-acid battery chargers can be used with LiFePO4 batteries as long as
they are within the appropriate voltage guidelines. AGM and Gel algorithms
typically fall within the LiFePO4 voltage requirements. The voltage for
flooded battery charging algorithms are often higher than LiFePO4 requirements
which will result in the BMS disconnecting the battery at the end of the
charge cycle and may result in the charger displaying an error code. If this
happens, it is generally a good practice to replace your charger. Since the
BMS protects the battery, using lead-acid chargers will not damage the
battery. Please refer to RELiON’s Lithium Charging Instruction document
(available on our website at relionbattery. com) for complete charging
instructions and parameters.
BMS OPERATION
All RELiON LiFePO4 batteries come with an internal BMS. The BMS protects against:
- Under-Voltage during discharge
- Over-Voltage during charge or regen conditions
- Over-Current during discharge
- Over-Temperature during discharge
- Short-Circuit Protection protects battery cells from damage
Refer to the datasheet for your battery’s specific discharge criteria. If the BMS disconnects the battery due to voltage or current limits, you must remove the load to reconnect the battery. If the BMS disconnects the battery due to temperature limits, you must wait for the temperature to reduce to reconnect the battery. If your equipment has parasitic loads, it may require a physical disconnect of the terminals to reconnect the battery circuit. Please note, that while short-circuit protection protects the battery’s cells, it still may produce a spark and damage your cable or bolt, so it is best to avoid short circuit conditions.
BATTERY RECYCLING
Terminals must be covered with a protective cap or non-conductive tape prior to battery disposal to the lithium recycler. Dispose of LiFePO4 batteries at an authorized lithium recycling facility.
WARRANTY REGISTRATION
We recommend you protect your investment and register your warranty at relionbattery.com/warranty-registration.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
If you have technical questions about your battery, please contact RELiON
Battery directly:
RELiON-Technical@OneASG.com
855-931-2466 or +1
803-547-7288
Relionbattery.com
For warranty claims, do not return to the place of purchase, contact RELiON
directly.
relionbattery.com
CALL TOLL-FREE: 855-931-2466
ALL INTERNATIONAL CALLS: +1
803-547-7288
ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
ISO/TS 16949:2009 Quality Management System
ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System
OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health and Safety Management System
Certifications Applicable to the Design and Manufacture of Lithium Iron
Phosphate Batteries
RELiON Battery provides our customers with the highest quality and safest
lithium products, in compliance with all regulatory standards.
©2021 RELiON Battery, LLC. All rights reserved. RELiON is not liable for
damages that may result from any information provided in or omitted from this
publication, under any circumstances.
RELiON reserves the right to make adjustments to this publication at any time,
without notice or obligation.
To16view this manual in other languages, visit
relionbattery.com.
INSTALL MANUAL 12.21.21
References
- Best Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries | RELiON
- Warranty Registration for RELiON Lithium Batteries | RELiON
- P65Warnings.ca.gov