How Should I Store the LiFePO4 Battery Long Term？

How Should I Store the LiFePO4 Battery Long Term？

 

 

It’s common for some people to use LiFePO4 battery seasonally and store it during the off-season. But many people damaged their batteries, because of not knowing how to store them. Today, let’s dive deeper and see how you should store your LiFePO4 battery.

 

How To Store LiFePO4 Batteries?

 

You must keep LiFePO4 batteries in a cool and dry place inside your house during the off-season. Always store the battery at least 50% or higher state of charge (SOC). Make sure the temperature is between -5°C and 35°C.  

Here’s a step-by-step process on how to store a LiFePO4 battery.

 

Step 1: Charge Your Battery

 

You should charge your LiFePO4 battery before storing it. Your LiFePO4 battery, when stored at the right temperature, will self-discharge 2% per month. So, if you plan to store your battery for a long time, charge your battery first.

Make sure it has at least 50% state of charge. So, it won’t go down to the cutoff point. If you store a fully discharged LiFePO4 battery, it will go further down the cutoff point.

It won’t be a good consequence for your battery. If you are lucky, the battery will go to sleep mode. But in the worst-case scenario, it might get irreversibly damaged. So, do not take the bet and charge it before storing your LiFePO4 battery.

 

 

Step 2: Remove Any Loads & Connections

 

You have to remove all the loads and power from your LiFePO4 battery while storing. A lot of people use the main switch to disconnect the battery power.

Some loads bypass the main switch and consume energy from the battery in the background. So, even though you are storing your battery, some of them will keep discharging your battery if you do not disconnect them.

A LiFePO4 battery has a 2% self-discharge rate per month while storing. But to prevent it from higher discharge, you will have to remove all the loads and connections from your battery.

 

Step 3: Store Battery Somewhere Dry & Cool

 

If you want to store your LiFePO4 battery unused, whether, for the short term or a long term, you must keep it in the right place. Do not just keep it in your garage or outside.

Keep your LiFePO4 battery inside, in a cool and dry place. Make sure the temperature is within the recommended range. Moisture can damage battery cells. That’s why no matter what, your battery cannot come in touch with rainwater or snow.

So, make sure the place where you are storing your battery is not dampened or has any chance of it.

 

 

Step 4: Ensure Proper Storing Temperature

 

Temperature is very crucial for storing any battery, including the LiFePO4 battery. You must be extra cautious about the temperature, as it greatly affects your battery. Generally, the recommended temperature for storing LiFePO4 batteries is -5°C to 35°C.

But if you want to store it for a long, you must plan beforehand. Because the temperature will vary based on how long you want to store your battery unused.

If you store your battery for up to 1 month, the temperature range can be -20°C to 60°C. But you want to store your LiFePO4 battery for up to 3 months; the temperature should be within -10°C to 35°C.

But, if you plan to store your LiFePO4 battery for much longer, you have to make sure the battery is within 15°C to 35°C temperature.

Here’s a list summarizing the temperature ranges of various duration.

 

 

Step 5: Cycle Your Battery Every 6 Months for Long-Term

 

Finally, while storing your battery for a long, cycle it once every 6 months. Otherwise, you won’t get a good charge capacity from your battery, when the storage period is over.

LiFePO4 battery self-discharges itself at a 2% rate per month. So, you have to cycle it after 6 months and fully charge it again.

Because if your battery voltage level gets too lower by self-discharging while storing, it will not give you the capacity like before.

 

What does Extreme Cold Temperature do to Your LiFePO4 Battery?

 

Although extreme temperature does not affect a LiFePO4 battery if you are not using it, manufacturers recommend not storing batteries in extremely cold temperatures for a long time. Because it might crack the ABS casing of your LiFePO4 battery, storing the LiFePO4 battery for long terms under 0°C will make it discharge itself at a more than 2% rate. Plus, your battery will have system loss. If you start using it, a 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery will only provide 90Ah or even as low as 70Ah.

 

However, it’s a temporary condition and will go away when the temperature rises. Based on a study, LiFePO4 battery capacity can be reduced to 70% if you store and use it in extremely cold temperatures.

Most importantly, charging and storing your LiFePO4 batteries at a freezing temperature for a long time will cause lithium plating. It’s very destructive for lithium batteries and can cause a short circuit.

 

Protection From Cold Temperature

 

The most convenient solution is to store your battery at the right temperature. The room temperature will be an ideal condition to store your LiFePO4 batteries. Besides, you can also protect your battery from lithium plating by maintaining the temperature.

Do not charge your battery at freezing temperatures after a storage cycle. Make sure the temperature is around 15°C.

 

 

What does Extreme Hot Temperature do to Your LiFePO4 Battery?

 

The extreme hot temperature has similar effects on your LiFePO4 battery as extreme cold temperatures do. Storing your LiFePO4 battery in extremely hot temperatures for a long time may damage the components inside your battery pack.

According to a research paper, high temperatures reduce battery capacity. So, by storing your battery at a higher temperature than 35°C, you will get reduced capacity. Your battery will face an over-discharge rate, internal short circuit, etc.

That’s why- manufacturers recommend storing LiFePO4 batteries inside the house and at room temperature. That’s how your battery will retain its full capacity even after a long time of storage.

 

Protection From Hot Temperature

 

To protect your LiFePO4 battery from hot temperatures while storing it, you have to keep it somewhere cool. You can keep it under a fan or air conditioner. Also, check the voltage with a voltage meter and see whether it’s in the right amount.

You must purchase a correct BMS and use it with your LiFePO4 battery pack. It will look after your battery. If the temperature goes too high, the BMS will take adequate action like sending your battery to sleep mode.

 

What Happens to LiFePO4 Battery After Long-Term Storage?

 

LiFePO4 battery has long-lasting battery chemistry. That’s why you can store them for a long time. If you store your battery correctly, it won’t have any issues after storing it for a long time.

But you may have many issues with temperature, voltage, and discharge rate. Because of the temperature imbalance and high discharge rate, a LiFePO4 battery may give less capacity than before. It might take time to wake up.

 

Possible Solutions

 

If your battery won’t take charge after long-term storage, you will have to wake up your LiFePO4 battery. You can use a power supply connecting with your battery for a few seconds.

Plus, cycle your battery every 6 months while storing for a long time. After storing your battery for a long time, it might give reduced capacity at the beginning, but it will be okay over time.

 

 

Storing a LiFePO4 battery at the right temperature and in the condition is vital. Because it’s directly associated with the battery performance after the storage life is over. So, follow the steps mentioned above, and your battery will be good to go.