BENEFITS OF USING A SINGLE CYLINDRICAL 3.2V LIFEPO4 CELL04

• Cylindrical cells are more reliable.
• The electrodes in a cylindrical cell are wound tightly and enclosed in a metal casing so can handle high internal pressures without deforming.
• Cylindrical cells radiate heat and control temperature more easily than prismatic cells, or multiple interconnected cylindrical cells, packed together to increase voltage or amperage.
• More kilowatt hours per cell
• more than 4,000 cycles or 10+ years of continuous charging based on 30% maximum daily depth of discharge at low current rates.
• High energy to size and weight and much faster charging.
• Wide range of operating temperatures (-20°C/-4°F to 75°C/167°F), high temperature resistance, hot peaks up to 350°C to 500°C.
• Safety – LiFePO4 batteries will not catch fire or explode.
• Environmentally friendly and uses non-toxic materials (in line with SGS certification), non-polluting (in line with European RoHS).

DISADVANTAGES OF USING MULTIPLE CELLS – OTHER COMPETITORS

Prismatic cells are made up of many positive and negative electrodes sandwiched together, increasing the possibility for short circuit and inconsistency.

Internal electrodes can easily expand and contract, causing deformation. This can lead to an internal short circuit and swelling, like lead batteries.

BATTERY WARRANTIES

Solar Bollard Lighting® (SBL) guarantees our battery for 10 years.

Here is an example of an IMPORTED PRODUCT marketing as commercial grade:

CHARGING BELOW 0°C / 32°F

LiFePO4 batteries can typically operate within -20°C to 75°C (-4°F to 167°F).

We laboratory tested our single cylindrical cell (used as our storage battery) cycling at the discharge and recharge currents of our power model suited to those locations to find the subzero temperature our cell would fail to operate: 

This point was at -35^oC (-31^oF).

Some competitor manufacturers claim their LiFePO4 battery a multiple cell configuration to save on cost due to the high volume of these cell types being produced, will operate between -40^oC and 75^oC (-40°F to 167°F). 

-40^oC (-40°F) is not possible and is called misleading and deceptive conduct under consumer law.

When attempting to charge a LiFePO4 battery below 0°C / 32°F (freezing) at an inappropriate current rate:

• A chemical reaction called LITHIUM PLATING occurs, caused by the charge current forcing the lithium ions to move at a faster reaction rate than usual and accumulate on the surface of the anode.
• Less lithium is available to allow the flow of electricity and the battery’s capacity drops.
• The battery becomes less mechanically stable and more prone to sudden failure.
• This chemical reaction results in an increase of the battery’s internal resistance, which can have major consequences when linked in series or parallel connections. 
• It reduces the rate of the chemical metabolism and causes a permanent reduction of the battery’s capacity. This will continue to reduce each time this reaction occurs.