RELiON Lithium Batteries User Manual
- June 6, 2024
- RELiON
Table of Contents
STANDARD PRODUCTS
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 powerpros@relionbattery.com or call 855-931-2466 (tollfree) 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)
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
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
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.
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
1/0| 170
2/0| 195
4/0| 260
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.
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.
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 non-combustible
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 are 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
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).
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
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.
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
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).
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.
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 is 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 RELiON battery, please contact the original place of purchase or RELiON Battery directly:
powerpros@relionbattery.com
855-931-2466 or +1
803-547-7288
Relionbattery.com
NOTES
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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
UN38.3
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.
To view this manual in other languages, visit
relionbattery.com.
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