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Can you use old and new Lithium Phosphate batteries together?
I’m currently working on a project where I need to use lithium phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, and I have a mix of both old and new ones.
I’m aware that typically, it’s not recommended to mix old and new Lead Acid batteries due to differences in their capacities and the potential for uneven discharging and charging cycles.
However, I’m wondering if this is also true for lithium phosphate batteries.
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3 Replies
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Just like with regular lithium batteries, it’s not advisable to mix old and new lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries.
Despite the inherent stability and safety of LiFePO4 batteries, combining old and new ones can still lead to problems.
These issues include imbalances in charge and discharge rates, reduced overall performance, and potential safety concerns. The older batteries might become over-discharged, while the newer ones could be prone to overcharging.
For the best performance and to ensure safety, it’s recommended to use lithium phosphate batteries that are of similar age, capacity, and from the same manufacturer.
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Yes, a Battery Management System (BMS) plays a crucial role in managing and protecting battery packs, particularly in lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) and other lithium-based batteries. The BMS regulates various functions such as charging and discharging rates, voltage, temperature control, and cell balancing.
In the context of mixing old and new lithium phosphate batteries, a BMS can help mitigate some of the risks associated with imbalances in the battery cells. It can ensure that each cell is charged and discharged properly, helping to prevent overcharging or over-discharging of individual cells. This can be particularly important when there are discrepancies in the capacities or states of health of the batteries being used together.
However, it’s important to note that while a BMS can provide significant protections and controls, it may not completely offset the challenges of mixing old and new batteries. Imbalances due to differing capacities and internal resistances can still lead to suboptimal performance and potentially accelerated degradation of the battery cells. Therefore, even with a BMS, it’s generally better to use batteries that are of similar age and condition for optimal performance and longevity.
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