LifePO4 - does it need to be balanced?

Community General Discussions
1

 

Hi,

i was thinking about purchasing LifePO4 batteries such as these: http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo418650battery128v2700mahsidebyside3456wh7arate.aspx

However, what is unclear to me is whether these need to be balanced like LiPOs when charging.  I ask because I do not see many of the LifePO4 packs being made with the adapters/taps to allow balancing.

Alternatively, does it make sense to get the individual  single cell and get a generic lifepo4 charger:
http://www.onlybatteries.com/showitem.asp?ItemID=18623.11&cat1=88&uid=2052
http://www.onlybatteries.com/showitem.asp?ItemID=17543

Only problem with the latter is i'm not able to find a holder for the cells, so would probably have to build one.

 

 

2

From what I can remember

From what I can remember they do need to be balanced.

Try hobbyking, they have a few LiFe batteries that come with the balance connector, they also sell a good balance charger (Accucell 6 I think?).

 

You will need a power supply to use the charger, they also sell them but you might have one already (laptop charger, wall wart or something else just be sure to check the volages)