LiFePO4 vs. Lithium: The Difference Simply Explained

Most often come in one Powerstation LiFePO4 batteries and lithium rechargeable batteries are used. Both technologies offer different advantages - however, most manufacturers now prefer them LiFePO4- Batteries, because they are clearly ahead in terms of safety and performance.

In this article, we take a detailed look at the advantages and disadvantages of LiFePO4 batteries and lithium batteries and analyze some areas of application. Here we go!

Construction of a LiFePO4 power station

The LiFePO4 battery: All information at a glance

A LiFePO4 battery refers to a lithium-ion battery that uses LiFePO4 as the positive electrode material. Lithium-ion battery cathode materials mainly include lithium cobalt oxide, lithium manganate, lithium nickel oxide, ternary materials, LiFePO4 and others. Among them, lithium cobalt oxide is the cathode material used in the vast majority of lithium-ion batteries.

This is the technical background information – but what advantages do LiFePO4 batteries offer you as an end user?

Advantages of LiFePO4 batteries

1. The LiFePO4 battery impresses with its long service life and runs for over 2,000 cycles. LiFePO4 batteries can be used for 7 to 8 years.
2. LiFePO4 batteries are very safe. They have undergone rigorous safety tests and will not explode even in traffic accidents.
3. Batteries with LiFePO4 technology can be charged quickly. With a special charger, the battery can be fully charged in 40 minutes at 1.5C.
4. The LiFePO4 battery is resistant to high temperature, and the hot air value of the LiFePO4 battery can reach 350-500 degrees Celsius.
5. A LiFePO4 battery offers a large capacity.
6. LiFePO4 batteries have no memory effect.
7. LiFePO4 batteries are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, pollution-free and inexpensive.

Disadvantages of LiFePO4 batteries

1. The electric conductivity is quite low, the diffusion rate of lithium ions is slow, and the actual specific capacity is small when charged and discharged for a long time.
2. The performance of LiFePO4 batteries at low temperatures is quite low - (that's why we recommend the insulated carrying cases for better performance)
3. The service life of a single LiFePO4 battery is around 2,500 charging cycles at 80%

Applications of LiFePO4 batteries

In the previous section, we introduced you to the advantages and disadvantages of a LiFePO04 battery. Now let's take a look at the different areas of application.

1. Large electric vehicles: buses, hybrid vehicles, etc.
2. Light Electric Vehicles: Electric bicycles, golf carts, small flat battery vehicles, forklifts, cleaning vehicles, electric wheelchairs, etc.
3. power tools: electric drills, chainsaws, lawnmowers, etc.
4. Toy: Remote control cars, boats, airplanes and other toys
5. energy storage: For the generation of solar and wind energy, e.g. B. Solar generators and the portable power station
6. UPS and emergency lighting: warning lights and miner's lamps, Small medical devices

These are just a few areas of application for LiFePO4 batteries. In a direct comparison, we now look at the advantages and disadvantages of lithium batteries.

Lithium batteries: All information at a glance

The lithium battery is a type of battery that uses lithium metal or lithium alloy as a negative electrode material and uses a non-aqueous electrolytic solution. 

Due to the very active chemical properties of lithium metal, the processing, storage and use of lithium metal are associated with very high environmental requirements. Therefore, lithium batteries have not been used for a long time. Thanks to constant advancement through science and engineering, lithium batteries have now become mainstream.

Advantages of lithium batteries

1. High energy: Lithium batteries supply a relatively large amount of energy. The high energy density achieves 460-600Wh/kg, which is about 6-7 times that of lead-acid batteries.
2. Long Lifespan: The lifespan of a lithium battery can be more than 6 years. The lithium iron phosphate positive electrode battery is charged and discharged at 1C (100% DOD). Lithium batteries can therefore achieve up to 10,000 charging cycles.
3. High Voltage Rating: The voltage rating is high (the single working voltage is 3.7V or 3.2V). This roughly corresponds to the series voltage of 3 nickel-cadmium or nickel-hydrogen batteries and is therefore well suited for forming a battery pack. 
4. Low self-discharge: Self-discharge is very low, which is one of the biggest advantages of the battery. It is generally less than 1% per month.
5. Light Weight: The weight is about 1/5 of lead-acid products with the same volume. Lithium batteries are therefore ideal for use in the portable power station.
6. High and Low Temperature Adaptation: This type of battery can be used in an environment of -20℃-60℃ without any problems.
7. Environmentally friendly and environmentally friendly: Apart from manufacturing and disposal, a lithium battery does not contain or produce any toxic and harmful heavy metal elements and substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium.

Disadvantages of lithium batteries

1. Lithium batteries are poorly secured and there is a risk of explosion.
2. All lithium-ion batteries must be protected by a circuit to prevent the battery from being overcharged or over-discharged.
3. High production requirements and costs.

Applications of lithium batteries

1. power supply in traffic
2. Power storage in power station
3. Energy supply for mobile communication (e.g. smartphones)
4. Military aerospace power supply

LiFePO4 vs. Lithium: The differences in detail

LiFePO4 batteries are fundamentally different from lithium batteries. Below we list the differences in detail:

1. The lithium battery is a type of battery that uses lithium metal or lithium alloy as a positive electrode material and uses a non-aqueous electrolytic solution. The chemical properties of lithium metal are very active. The processing, storage and use of lithium metal is therefore harmful to the environment.
2. LiFePO4 batteries will not catch fire if punctured. Fire does not develop either. This is entirely possible with lithium batteries.
3. LiFePO4 batteries are resistant to being overcharged to 100% - so they will not explode. Lithium batteries, on the other hand, degas and swell when overcharged.

Conclusion: LiFePO4 batteries are safer and more durable than lithium batteries

In this article, we have shown you the differences between LiFePO4 and Lithium batteries. LiFePO4 batteries are characterized above all by the high number of charging cycles and the long service life. Based on this information, you can now decide for yourself which type of energy storage device you choose.

In our online shop you will find high-quality LiFePO4 power stations with which you can reliably supply all your devices with energy on your next camping adventure.