So you have no immediate use for your LiFe Battery and you are planning on storing it for about, say, 6 months. Naturally, you are concerned about its storage voltage.
So you must be asking what is the ideal LiFe battery storage voltage?
The LiFe battery storage voltage should be 3.2 volts. You have to store LiFe batteries at almost a 50% state of charge (SOC) or higher. It is because of the 2% self-discharge rate of LiFe batteries. So, it can become over-discharged over time. Also, there may be consequences if you store the LiFe battery without charge.
Not sure yet? Well, do not worry. Because in this guide we have given answers to all your concerns. Plus, provided some additional tips you should know!
Keep scrolling to find out!
Ideal Storage Voltage for LiFe Battery
Most people fully charge and then disconnect the charger before storing a LiFe battery. So it sits at 3.2v.
3.0 Volts is a sensitive number. Because some batteries at 3.0 volts and no load might be almost empty. So it is not a good idea to keep it at 3.
And, also the pack is usually made of foil cells in parallel. That is why fully charging works best.
So, you can put a load on the cell for 1 minute. And it will drop from 3.5 V+ to 3.3 V or even less. Then just let them sit.
However, sometimes one of the cells in the parallel group might slowly self-discharge. In that case, it is best if you leave it with as much energy as feasible.
This way you can dissuade them from moving below 2.0 eventually.
Nevertheless, the thumb rule generally restrains them between 40% and 50% state of charge or SOC.
Especially, the LiFePO4 batteries have an incredibly flat charge or discharge curve. So 50% SOC is still in the 3.2 V area. And 70% and 20% are in the 3.15 to 3.3V.
See not really as complex as comparing the 7.4 lipo vs 9.6 NiMH, is it?
LiFe self discharges really slowly. So suppose you are using the thumb rule. In that case, it is usually better to discharge the pack to nearly 50%. Then you are required to test it every 2 months.
Notice if the battery is reaching a low voltage. If it is, then you will have to charge the pack up a little.
So if you are following the conventional rule, you do not need to fully charge. Or even discharge the battery to 50% every time.
So, there is a simple answer regardless of whether you use the conventional rule or not. Just store LiFe batteries at approximately a 50% state of charge (SOC) or higher if possible.
Risk of Not Charging Before Battery Storage
There can be serious consequences if you decide to store your LiFe battery without a charge. The reason is the 2% self-discharge rate of LiFe batteries. It can become over-discharged.
The level of discharge may possibly go below what the BMS is able to protect. Due to that, it is really crucial to charge your LiFe battery before storing it.
We also advise that you should also store your LiFe battery at room temperature. Specifically, when you are planning on storing them for a long period of time.
Now, what can induce over-discharging of the cells?
Storage without a charge might induce over-discharging of the cells. And it can result in permanent damage to your battery. Plus, it may also void the ten years of your battery warranty.
One more thing to note is that not all LiFe batteries available on the market have the same storage volt. Some inferior quality ones have an even lower voltage.
So, to help you with finding the right LiFe batteries, I’ve listed some down below:
- Spektrum 3000mAh 2S 6.6V Li-Fe Receiver Battery – Long-lasting and is made of good quality materials. Has 3000mAh battery life.
- Spektrum 2200mAh 2S 6.6V Li-Fe Receiver Battery – Has 2200mAh battery life.
Let us move to the next section of the article. There you will see how long you may store LiFe at different temperature ranges.
How to Store LiFe Batteries?
So, how to store your LiFe battery? It is a question the users ask most often. Specifically, during the Winter season.
It mainly relies on the temperature you are storing your batteries for RC cars in. Also, it depends on the period of time.
Here we have provided a snapshot of how to store your LiFe battery.
The storage temperature we recommend is usually from -5°C to +35°C. Which is about 23°F to 95 °F.
If you’re planning the storage for a month then the temperature should be -20°C to 60°C. That is about 4°F to 140 °F.
And if the storage is up to 3 months, then the recommended temperature should be -10°C to +35°C. That is about 14°F to 95 °F.
And finally, for an extended storage duration, we recommend temperatures from +15°C to +35°C. That is about 59°F to 95 °F.
We highly recommend that you store LiFe batteries indoors. And also it is better to store during the off-season.
Moreover, it is advised that you store LiFe batteries at roughly a 50 per cent state of charge. And if possible, higher.
One thing, If you are going to store the batteries for long periods of time. That is, you need to cycle the batteries once every six months at least. Also, don’t store LiFe batteries if they are discharged.
Keep in mind that you are not contrasting between 50c vs 80c vs 100c lipo.
All the instructions that have been given are really easy to follow. So just carefully follow these simple instructions and save your battery from any damage.
If you want to know more about the ins and outs of LiFe batteries then check out this video by Redwing RC-
That would be all regarding the storage voltage of the LiFe Battery!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is better, LiFePO4 vs Lipo?
Lipos batteries are usually lighter. They are also more compact than the LiFes’. It means you will get more power as well as a longer run time with Lipos. But both batteries have high efficiency. And the main plus point of the LiFe battery is safety.
Can I charge a LiFe battery with a normal charger?
You may use a lead-acid charger for charging LiFe batteries. But that is if you can set the charger voltage to the maximum. Also, make sure that you didn’t enable an automatic equalization mode in the charger.
Do LiFePO4 batteries explode?
Normally the lithium iron phosphate batteries don’t ignite or explode. LiFePO4 batteries are relatively safer for normal use. However, they can be risky in some severe cases. It depends on the material selection, its ratio, and the process.
