SAFETY

• Resistance to overheating. LiFePO4 does not catch fire at temperatures up to 270°C; even in the event of a short circuit or overcharging, the heating process is gradual, without a sudden rise in temperature.
• Chemical stability. The iron-phosphate structure is chemically inert and does not release oxygen even when overheated (up to 270–300°C).
• Built-in safety measures. The high-quality construction of the LiFePO4 battery includes a BMS (Battery Management System) from the industry leader UDAN to prevent overcharging, overheating and short circuits. It also monitors the battery’s parameters and uses the data to improve its safety and service life.

LONGEVITY

• Even with daily use (one cycle per day), the service life of LFP batteries averages 15 years.
• Slow capacity degradation. The iron phosphate cathode remains structurally stable even after thousands of cycles, without losing its ability to exchange ions.

CHARGING SPEED

• LiFePO4 batteries can be charged more quickly than other types of batteries. For example, when using an AC power supply, this may take 1–3 hours. The actual charging time depends on the battery capacity, the current and the charging method.
• The recommended charging current is 0.5C (the current is 50 per cent of the rated capacity).

Factors affecting battery life

Under real-world operating conditions, a number of factors can reduce battery life. The main factors that reduce battery life are:

• Discrepancies between the average operating temperature and the specified values.
• Uneven loads and currents – excessively high inrush currents, frequent consumption peaks, unbalanced cells within the battery – all of the above increase the thermal load and accelerate ageing.
• Storage conditions. Do not store near heating appliances, nor store a discharged battery at sub-zero temperatures. The storage temperature range for PolyBat batteries is from -20°C to +40°C at a relative humidity of no more than 80 per cent.
• Charging technology. Recommended charging current: 0.5C (current equal to 50 per cent of the nominal capacity).
• Charging quality – using an unsuitable charger, overcharging or deep discharging to 0% – all of these factors have a negative impact on the chemical structure of the cells. It is recommended to charge to 90–95% if battery life is a priority.
• Depth of discharge (DoD) – the deeper each discharge cycle is, the faster the battery’s lifespan decreases. Ideally, the charge level should not fall below 10–5%.
• Temperature conditions: Operating at temperatures above 45°C or below -20°C reduces efficiency and accelerates wear and tear. The optimum range is (-5°C to +25°C).
• Deep discharges – discharging a battery to below 5 per cent of its capacity at sub-zero temperatures can lead to cell imbalance, progressive capacity loss and degradation.
• It is recommended that you use ‘ElPulsKar-LFP’ chargers – charging must be carried out in CC/CV mode, at a voltage of 3.55–3.65 V per cell, with the option of a smooth end-of-cycle transition with voltage and current characteristics to prevent overcharging and overheating.
• BMS status and operation – without a properly functioning battery management system (BMS), the battery may be damaged even under seemingly ‘mild’ conditions. Furthermore, the correct operation of the battery management system depends directly on the quality of the manufacture and assembly of the BMS unit. Many unscrupulous sellers on the market cut corners on this component in their race to offer the buyer the lowest price.

ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLINESS

• They do not contain toxic heavy metals (cadmium, lead). This reduces the risk of heavy metal contamination during manufacture, use or disposal.
• Suitable for recycling – the batteries are used to extract valuable base materials such as lithium, iron and phosphorus, which are then reused in manufacturing.
• Proper disposal: Batteries are collected in special containers and then sent for recycling; battery waste must not be disposed of in landfill sites.