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Test results LiFePO4 glider batteries after 6 years



 
 
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Old January 29th 17, 08:41 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
SF
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Default Test results LiFePO4 glider batteries after 6 years

I started using K2 LiFeP04 batteries in my glider in 2010. I have had excellent results with these batteries. The electronics, especially the radio, enjoy staying above 12V, and I've never run out of power inflight with them..

This winter after taking some of the instruments out to have them calibrated & upgraded, I took one of these batteries with me to the shop to power everything up to see if all the magic smoke remained in the equipment after it was reinstalled. Imagine my surprise when nothing came on, and I found the battery at 10.5 volts.

This battery was charged after its last usage 1-1/2 months ago and left in a cabinet. Since these batteries are not supposed to self discharge that fast I decided to charge, and test them using two batteries in parallel on a 2.04A load. My six year old 9.6AH K2's were down to 5.4 Ah each, 10.8 Ah total.

I purchased two new Stark Power SP-12V9-EP LiFeP04 batteries and wired them in parallel on the same 2.04A load, and got 8.67 Ah each, 17.34 Ah total.

The tests were run until the voltage under load dropped to 11.5 V, not the 10.5V level where the battery management board turns off the output. There are probably some additional Ah's left in there after 11.5 V but not much, these batteries drop off pretty fast after 12.5V. The stark batteries are listed at 9Ah each.

The LiFePO4 batteries are advertised as having a cycle life of 2,000 cycles. Over the six years they were in use, I probably put less than 400 cycles on these. So obviously they also degrade with age and not just the number of charge/discharge cycles.

I still recommend these over the old sealed lead acid batteries. I also advocate annual testing to see if they still have the capacity you need, rather than waiting until they surprise you in flight.

SF

 




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