Storing and longetivity of LiFePo4

[Milan]

What is the ideal charge and temperature to store LIFEPO4?

I mean I know that 40% and low temp rules for Li-Ion, but do these rules also apply to LFP?

I know this chemistry is not very long with us, but that's just why I'd really appreciate some real world practial experience and not some baseless theory.

I know it's still a lithium battery, but knowing it shoud be more tough, is it still worth storing in refrigerator and/or not having the comfort of full capacity available?

thx

 

[45/70]

Hi Milan. I store my LiFe cells just the same as my LiCo cells. ~40% charged and in my Fridge when not in use. The 40% charge level is a bit hard to determine, as this is hard to tell with LiFe cells by measuring the voltage, but I just aim for an open circuit voltage of about 3.20-3.25 Volts.

Also, as info, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, or LiFe) cells are lithium ion cells, just as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCo), lithium manganese oxide (LiMn), and several other Li-Ion chemistries. They all utilize lithium ions rather than a metallic form of lithium, as lithium primary cells do. As far as I know, all the various types of Li-Ion cells prefer the same storage conditions. As with anything that works using a chemical reaction, the cooler the cell, the less degradation that takes place. Also, the higher the state of charge, the more rapid the degradation, as well.

Dave

 

[jasonck08]

A word of caution when storing it in the fridge: Put it in a ziplock bag or something to avoid the high moisture environment.

 

[45/70]

A word of caution when storing it in the fridge: Put it in a ziplock bag or something to avoid the high moisture environment.

Excellent point, Jason! :thumbsup: I should have mentioned that.

I probably should have included "LiPo", or lithium polymer cells in the Li-Ion group as well, as LiPo's are basically a LiCo chemistry Li-Ion with a polymer electrolyte. Many newcomers get LiPo and LiFe cells confused, but thay are two quite different types, of Li-Ion chemistry cells.

Dave