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Author Topic: LiFePO 4 batteries  (Read 2620 times)

G4AON

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LiFePO 4 batteries
« on: August 17, 2019, 01:47:49 AM »

My 6 year old AGM battery has been excellent for “car portable” use and still measures around 3/4 of the original Ah on a discharge test with my West Mountain CBA.

However, since recently hurting my back I decided to replace the AGM battery with a significantly lighter lithium iron phosphate one. Unlike the more common lithium based batteries that aren’t too convenient in terms of terminal Voltage, charging and safety, the LiFePO 4 technology batteries seem almost perfect yet despite being developed around 1996 aren’t in common use. Details of the technology are at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_iron_phosphate_battery

The one I have is by LiFOS and is 12.8V, 68Ah and weighs 7.8Kg. It has a built in battery management controller allowing for charging with most types of “lead acid” chargers (it auto disconnects when charged) and provides a status page via Bluetooth. The manufacturers web site is: https://www.lifos.co.uk/

At three times the cost of an AGM, I hope the new battery lasts a long time. So far it seems ideal.

Has anyone else experience of these type of batteries?

73 Dave
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VK5ISO

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RE: LiFePO 4 batteries
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2019, 12:28:02 AM »

Hi Dave,

I have been using an LiFePO4 12V 100Ah battery for emergency communications backup for the last 5 years and have had an excellent experience with it. I use a specialised charger to recharge it.

In my own case, I ordered mine directly from one of the main manufacturers in China, Optimum Nano, and had it delivered down here.

I think you will be very happy with it!
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G4AON

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RE: LiFePO 4 batteries
« Reply #2 on: August 18, 2019, 08:20:34 AM »

Thanks for the info ‘ISO

It’s just strange these batteries are so rarely found.

73 Dave
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SOFAR

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RE: LiFePO 4 batteries
« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2019, 10:16:34 AM »

Maglite ML150LR 1,000 lumen rechargeable flashlight/torch, uses
LIFePO 4.

Sometimes new technology sits for awhile, before there's effort put into the final steps.
3D printing is an example, its been around since the 80s. Yet, just recently hit its prime .
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VK5ISO

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RE: LiFePO 4 batteries
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2019, 04:52:34 PM »

Down here, in Australia, LiFePO4 batteries are all the rage, I suppose because of the widespread camping and motoring community as well as our very high reliance on solar power.
Their only disadvantage, compared to a marine grade lead-acid battery, is cost, but I feel that that is recouped over the years of usage (10 years +).
It is very much the technology which will be replacing lead-acid batteries once the costs drop and is extensively used in electric cars, electric wheelchairs, etc.
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W9DJ

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RE: LiFePO 4 batteries
« Reply #5 on: August 22, 2019, 06:32:42 AM »

I have been using a 20 amp-hr Bioenno LiFePO4 battery for a couple of years. Other than being expensive, it's great! Holds a charge on the shelf, is quite small and light, and, very importantly, keeps the voltage up until it's nearly depleted. With a conventional lead-acid battery I have had to use a booster to get adequate run time as many rigs don't like <12 volts.  One less thing to lug around. 
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K5LXP

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RE: LiFePO 4 batteries
« Reply #6 on: August 23, 2019, 04:02:08 AM »

I could never find detailed capacity data on the Bioenno site.  Do they offer those when you buy a battery, or have you done any detailed capacity testing?

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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KF9BD

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RE: LiFePO 4 batteries
« Reply #7 on: August 23, 2019, 06:25:34 AM »

I have three of the Bioenno batteries.  They have worked great.  Much easier to lug around for portable use.  If you aren't finding the information you want on the website, contact them.  I have spoken with them several time and they have always been very helpful.

Regards,

Danny
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KD7YVV

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RE: LiFePO 4 batteries
« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2019, 11:44:17 AM »

Hi Dave,

I have been using an LiFePO4 12V 100Ah battery for emergency communications backup for the last 5 years and have had an excellent experience with it. I use a specialised charger to recharge it.

In my own case, I ordered mine directly from one of the main manufacturers in China, Optimum Nano, and had it delivered down here.

I think you will be very happy with it!

Do you have more information on these batteries such as weight etc.?
I'm looking at batteries for an E-Bike I'm planning to build.
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W1MOW

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RE: LiFePO 4 batteries
« Reply #9 on: September 12, 2019, 03:36:05 PM »

I use parts from EV Components to build the LiFePO4 battery pack I use for portable ops.  They also sell kits for E-Bikes.

http://evcomponents.com/
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The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt - Bertram Russell (1935)

So not much has changed in almost 90 years!

W5KV

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RE: LiFePO 4 batteries
« Reply #10 on: September 13, 2019, 08:54:20 AM »

I'll second Bioenno batteries.

Here's a capacity test of their 30aH: https://wb4son.com/wpblog/?p=1250

They hold their charge very well & maintain a high voltage for a very long time. They are initially more expensive, but in the long run, will save you $$$.

73
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AE5X

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RE: LiFePO 4 batteries
« Reply #11 on: September 18, 2019, 07:48:09 AM »

The one I have is by LiFOS and is 12.8V, 68Ah and weighs 7.8Kg.

That is a huge amount of capacity for portable ops!
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G4AON

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RE: LiFePO 4 batteries
« Reply #12 on: September 18, 2019, 12:39:00 PM »

The one I have is by LiFOS and is 12.8V, 68Ah and weighs 7.8Kg.
That is a huge amount of capacity for portable ops!
A recent 6 hour VHF contest session, running a 15” laptop and a 100W transceiver, dropped the battery to 50% state of charge. The laptop runs from a 12V to 19V inverter, the transceiver via an MFJ 4416C Voltage booster.

The battery is great, but given the huge cost it should be.

73 Dave
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KD8IIC

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RE: LiFePO 4 batteries
« Reply #13 on: September 19, 2019, 07:41:27 AM »

  We will surely see prices dropping as the technology progresses even more....
  I'm considering holding off til then to plunge into getting a 100AH...
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KD8IIC

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RE: LiFePO 4 batteries
« Reply #14 on: September 23, 2019, 08:18:04 AM »

Purchased my LiFePo4 100ah deep cycle on Thursdy from Lithium Battery Store in FL.
So plunge in I did!
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