Hi all, wondering if anyone owns this unit (https://itechworld.com.au/products/lithium-portable-power-st…). It claims to be LiFePO4 but the voltage range seems a bit off, its max voltage is 16.8v as opposed to 14.6v (equivalent to 3.65v * 4) of typical LiFePO4 cells that I know of. Are there actually LiFePO4 cells that can be charged to 4.2V? That voltage is usually associated to NMC if I'm not mistaken 🤔 (https://ecotreelithium.co.uk/news/lithium-nmc-vs-lifepo4)
Idk. that one has unregulated 12V output so it can fry some things. Buy an ecoflow, or bluetti.
i bought an ecoflow
LiFePO4 should top out at 3.65 per cell unless you want to stress the cell
LiON and LiPO are at about 4.2
The way I read it is that they are saying you will get whatever the pack voltage is down to 12V where the BMS will kick in (and turn off the output)
We had these units at work but the 12V input and outputs used the same plug which caused issues in our particular work environment.
Yeah I get the unregulated voltage part and I'm into it because most regulated output can't handle 15A (e.g. they'll need a giant step down from 22v or whatever pack voltage they've got), which is what my iSUP pump needs at peak. Part I'm worried about is the durability of the cells, either they're not lifepo4 as advertised or the lifepo4 cells are being pushed super hard that might not last as long
12V input and outputs used the same plug
So many things use 5.5mm DC plug, from my 42V eBike to a set-top-box that used it for 5V power in. Guess how the latter died?
What is more likely? An obscure brand has a radical new implementation of Lifepo4 chemistry that you have never seen before, or a shopify-based website got the specs wrong?
BTW, I'd expect such an expensive powerbank to be able to charge a laptop without an external adapter, but this only does PD-12V, no 15 or 20V. Saved themselves a dollar by leaving out a buck/boost for the USB.
It says it uses 'cylindrical cells' which is much more likely to be Li-ion instead; since most common LiFePO4 cells are prismatic (and generally more expensive).
So the term 'LiFePO4' is likely marketing fluff since non-power users won't know the difference.
Isn't marking fluff illegal? I bought this unit 2 months ago and just figured out today that it's potentially not lifepo4 as advertised lol, so I'm thinking about whether to return it
Just email the tech support and ask them to confirm what chemistry is used:
LiFePO4 is easily found in cylindrical, prismatic and pouch formats so that is not a tell
Yeah I did call and asked them to confirm the chemistry and apparently they said that all their products are "LifePo", however they did not provide any explanation for the voltage tho. I do own the unit and the fully charged voltage is indeed 16.8v, so I'm very confused right now.
fully charged voltage is indeed 16.8v, so I'm very confused
If you actually measured it, and it is 16.8V from 4 cells, there is zero room for confusion. You do not have LiFePo.
It is not necessarily a bad thing, except that they lied. Does the number of cycles it will last matter?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLjkPe8PhkQ
The replies from itechworld1 at the bottom of the video state:
This power station produces 25 Amp Hours
The iTECH300 PRO has a 277Wh lithium battery pack!
277Wh and 25Ah = ~11.1V = LiFePO4 cells @ 3.7V in 3S configuration
Means there is a boost converter taking the 11.1V input and generating the 12V-16.8V output voltage range
Update: I'm still not sure about the 300 pro but I got a 300P ad from itech and I think they're actually doing false advertisement
- Lifepo4 based on the picture https://d3k81ch9hvuctc.cloudfront.net/company/RfRjZy/images/…
- Actually NMC https://itechworld.com.au/products/lithium-portable-power-st…
I wouldn't personally trust this store anymore
The gods are out there
yep the milk floats from the 60's had 2V cells
we are now 4 to 5 steps further
the more phosphor you chuck in the lower the voltage and useful energy
but hey the firies have it a bit easier….