How to Charge a LiFePO4 Battery
Charging a LiFePO4 pack correctly means matching the charge voltage and the charge current to the model, and respecting the listed temperature range. This guide explains those checks in general terms. It does not give a single charge setting for the whole range, because the listed charge voltages and currents differ by model.
Charge voltage is model-specific
The charge voltage for a LiFePO4 pack is higher than its nominal voltage. For example, the listed 48V packs on this site give a charge voltage of 58.4 V, while the listed 12V and 24V packs give their charge behaviour through current limits and cut-off voltages rather than a single charge-voltage figure on every page. A buyer should therefore use the charge voltage stated for the exact model, not a generic voltage for the system voltage class. Using the wrong charge voltage can undercharge a pack, leaving capacity unused, or overcharge it, which the management system should prevent but which should not be relied upon as the normal charging method.
The cut-off voltage is the other end of the charging and discharging window. It is the voltage at which discharge should stop, and it is listed per model - for example 10.0 V for the listed 12V packs and 20.0 V for the listed 24V packs, with a 40.0 V cut-off for the listed 48V packs. Those figures are stated per model and should be checked against the inverter or load settings, because a system that discharges a pack below its cut-off voltage is using the pack outside its stated limits.
Charge current and temperature
Charge current is also listed per model, with a normal current and a maximum current. For example, the listed 12V 12Ah pack gives a charge current of 6 A with a maximum of 12 A, while the listed 48V 100Ah pack gives a charge current of 50 A with a maximum of 100 A. Those figures are not interchangeable, and a charger set for one model should not be assumed to suit another model at the same voltage. The enquiry should state the charger or charging setup, so the manufacturer can confirm that it matches the model.
Temperature is a check that is often overlooked when a pack is chosen by capacity alone. The listed temperature ranges on each product page state the charging, discharging and storage ranges for that model, and those ranges should be checked against the installation location and the climate. Charging below the listed charging range should not be attempted without a specific confirmation for the model, because charging in cold conditions can damage the cells. If charging in cold conditions is a regular requirement, the enquiry should state the lowest charging temperature.
A practical charging checklist
Before charging a new pack, check three things: the charge voltage for the exact model, the charge current and its maximum, and the charging temperature range. Then check that the charger or inverter settings match those three values, and that the cut-off voltage is set correctly for discharge. If any of those values is missing from the product page for the model, ask for it in the enquiry rather than borrowing it from another model. That checklist is short, but it prevents the most common charging mistakes, which come from assuming that a setting for one model applies to another model at the same voltage.
A battery management system watches the cells in a pack and disconnects the pack when a limit is crossed. The exact limits depend on the model, so buyers should check the protection list for the model they are considering rather than assuming every pack in a range shares the same list. In the models listed on this site, protection typically covers over-charge, over-discharge, over-current, over-temperature and short circuit, with cell balancing on some models only. Where a model page does not list balancing, it is not claimed for that model.
Enquiry checklist
Before sending an enquiry, note the voltage, capacity, quantity, application and any required certification document. State whether the pack will be used indoors or outdoors, and whether a display or a particular terminal type is needed. Minimum order quantity and lead time are unavailable on this site and are confirmed per model in the enquiry. Quotations are confirmed per order.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I get a quotation?
Send an enquiry with the voltage, capacity and quantity you need, plus the application. Quotations are confirmed per order, and specifications are confirmed per model before payment. This site does not list fixed selling figures.
What certification documents can you provide?
ISO 9001 is stated by the company. Certificates are available upon request. If a buyer needs a certificate for a specific model, ask for it in the enquiry and name the model, so the correct document can be checked.
Are the specifications on this page valid for every model?
No. Specifications are shown per model and must not be read across the whole range. Where a value is not listed for a model, the page says to confirm per model rather than filling in a generic figure.