When looking for a solar power station, you should understand why some are cheaper but offer the same wattage and watts per hour than other stations. This is likely due to the battery. Lithium-ion are often much cheaper than liFePO4 batteries due to the fact that LiFePO4 last a lot longer. Always check the “cycles” specifications which means how many times you can fully charge the battery before it begins to degrade.

LiFePO4 batteries are made of lithium iron phosphate and are a form of lithium battery. Other lithium-ion batteries include the following:

  • Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LiCoO22)
  • Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2)
  • Lithium Titanate (LTO)
  • Lithium Manganese Oxide (LiMn2O4)
  • Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (LiNiCoAlO2)

Below are some differences between the LiFePO4 and other Lithium-ion batteries:

The type of electrolyte used distinguishes lithium, lithium-ion, and various varieties of lithium packs. When compared to nickel-based batteries, their main advantages include higher power density and fast charging/discharge times.

The LiFePO4 battery isn’t ideal for watches or other wearable devices. Because their energy density is lower than that of other lithium-ion batteries. It is, however, by far the finest for solar power stations, RVs, golf carts, bass boats, and electric motorcycles.

For starters, a LiFePO4 battery has a cycle life that is more than four times that of other lithium-ion batteries.

It’s also the safest lithium battery available, out-performing lithium-ion and other battery kinds.

Not only can LiFePO4 batteries last 3,000-5,000 cycles or more, but they can also reach 100 percent depth of depletion (DOD). This means that in the event of mismanagement during charge or discharge, lithium phosphate cells are incombustible; they are more resilient under overload or short circuit situations, and they can sustain high temperatures without degrading. The phosphate-based cathode material will not burn and will not cause thermal runaway if abused.