A **12V LiFePO4 battery** is a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery with a nominal voltage of 12.8V (fully charged at ~14.6V). These batteries are popular for their **safety, long lifespan, and stable performance**, making them ideal for **solar energy storage, RVs, marine applications, and off-grid power systems**.
### **Key Features of 12V LiFePO4 Batteries:** - **Nominal Voltage:** 12.8V (4 cells × 3.2V each) - **Fully Charged Voltage:** ~14.4V–14.6V - **Discharge Cutoff Voltage:** ~10V–12V (varies by BMS) - **Cycle Life:** 2,000–5,000 cycles (up to 80% capacity) - **Energy Density:** Lower than Li-ion but safer - **Thermal Stability:** Excellent (less prone to overheating) - **Charging Efficiency:** ~95–98%
### **Advantages Over Lead-Acid Batteries:** ✅ **Longer Lifespan** (5–10× more cycles) ✅ **Lighter Weight** (about half the weight of lead-acid) ✅ **Faster Charging** (can handle higher currents) ✅ **Deeper Discharge** (80–100% DoD vs. 50% for lead-acid) ✅ **Maintenance-Free** (no watering or equalization needed)
### **Charging a 12V LiFePO4 Battery:** - **Recommended Charge Voltage:** **14.2V–14.6V** (absorb) - **Float Voltage:** **13.6V–13.8V** (optional, some systems skip float) - **Charge Current:** Typically **0.2C–0.5C** (e.g., 20A–50A for a 100Ah battery) - **BMS (Battery Management System) Required** (for overcharge/discharge protection)
### **Popular 12V LiFePO4 Battery Models:** | Capacity (Ah) | Approx. Weight (kg) | Typical Use Case | |--------------|----------------|------------------| | 20Ah–30Ah | 2–4 kg | Small solar setups, portable power | | 50Ah–100Ah | 5–12 kg | RVs, marine, off-grid cabins | | 200Ah–300Ah | 20–30 kg | Large solar systems, EV conversions |
