[TenTec] Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Battery

[Reed]

Steve, batteries have come a long way just as the Argonaut 515 has 
compared to the HW-7 & not to mention today's rigs.  I got introduced to 
these batteries I believe around 2010.  The gel-cells were so much 
improved over the wet cells, but the  Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) 
Battery is so much ahead in battery design than anything I have seen.  
Weight, size & holds the output voltage & amps to 10% of discharge.  You 
have to charge them with a special charger, if the circuit is not built 
inside the protective cover or case, to balance the cells & charge to 
the proper voltage of each cell. They also charge up much faster than a 
gel-cell. You don't want to discharge them all the way as you can with a 
gel.  Follow those guidelines and you got a very good battery for 
portable or emergency power that has a life of around 10 years. Price 
has come down too!

The gel-cell is still one to use for a battery backup system, but for 
portable the size, weight and holding the voltage and amps much longer 
is where this battery has the advantage over the gel.  Big disadvantage 
is the price.  They are not cheap!

Some of the Chinese ones you want to stay away from.  I'm also not crazy 
about the lithium-ion polymer battery.  Though some like them, these can 
be dangerous from what I have read and from those that experience this 
on other forms.  The iron phosphate ones sold at Buddiepole & 
Bioennopower are reliable ones.

https://www.bioennopower.com/collections/12v-series-lifepo4-batteries

73,
Reed W4JZ