How Long Do LiFePO4 Batteries Last?
There is no single answer to how long a LiFePO4 battery lasts, because lifespan depends on the model, the test condition and the way the pack is used. This guide explains how to read a lifespan figure honestly, using the listed figures on this site as examples. It does not give a lifespan promise for the whole range.
Cycle life and calendar life are different
Cycle life counts how many charge and discharge cycles a pack can deliver before its capacity falls to a stated level, such as 70 percent of its original capacity. Calendar life counts how long a pack lasts in years, including time spent in storage. A pack can have a high cycle life and still age in storage, and a pack that is rarely cycled can still lose capacity over time. Both measures matter, and neither should be quoted on its own as 'the lifespan' of a pack.
The listed cycle figures on this site illustrate why the test condition matters. Some listed models state 2000 cycles under a stated condition of charging and discharging at 0.2C down to 70 percent capacity. One listed model states more than 6000 cycles under a different condition, and a home pack states 6000 or more cycles under its own listed condition. Those figures are not directly comparable without reading the conditions, and they must not be merged into a single range-wide figure. A buyer comparing models should ask for the condition behind each figure.
What shortens or extends lifespan in use
Depth of discharge describes how much of a pack's capacity is used before it is recharged. Using a smaller depth of discharge generally leaves more cycles available, while deep discharges use more capacity per cycle. Cycle-life figures therefore only make sense with the test condition attached, such as the discharge rate and the capacity remaining at the end of the test. This site reports cycle life per model with its stated condition, and does not convert one model's figure into a range-wide claim.
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.
How to read a spec sheet honestly
A spec sheet that gives a cycle figure without a condition, without a capacity-remaining level and without a discharge rate is not giving a comparable figure. A buyer should look for all three: the rate, the depth of discharge and the capacity remaining at the end of the test. If any of those three is missing, the figure should be treated as incomplete and the missing item should be asked for in the enquiry. That discipline protects the buyer more than any headline cycle number, because it prevents a high headline figure from being compared with a modest figure that was measured under a stricter condition.
Cycle life is measured under a stated test condition, and the condition matters as much as the headline number. A figure measured at a low discharge rate and a shallow depth of discharge cannot be compared directly with a figure measured at a higher rate and a deeper depth, because the tests differ. A buyer comparing models should therefore read the condition behind each figure, and should ask for any missing detail — rate, depth of discharge, capacity remaining and temperature — before ranking two models against each other.
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.