Frequently Asked Questions ?
- General Battery
- Charging and Discharging
- Curves
- Lead-acid or Lithium LFP?
- Returns and deliveries
- Pay in 3x
I want to switch to lithium-iron-phosphate batteries. What do I need to know?
As with any battery replacement, you need to consider your capacity, power and size requirements, and make sure you have the right charger.
Remember, when you switch from a lead-acid battery to a LiFePO4 battery, you can reduce the size of your battery (in some cases by up to 50%) and still get the same amount of use. Most of the existing charging sources are compatible with our lithium-iron-phosphate batteries.
Please contact FRANCEBATTERY technical support if you need help with your upgrade and they will be happy to make sure you choose the right battery.
What is a BMS? What does it do and where is it located?
BMS stands for Battery Management System. The BMS protects the cells from damage, most often due to over- or undervoltage, overcurrent, high temperature or external short circuit.
The BMS shuts down the battery to protect the cells from dangerous operating conditions.
All batteries sold on FRANCEBATTERY have a built-in BMS to manage and protect them against this type of problems.
What size of terminals for my batteries?
LiFePO4 batteries sold on FRANCEBATTERY are equipped with M6, M8 or M10 terminals.
These types of terminals are insertion terminals, also called internal threads, and are supplied with bolts.
The dimensions of the terminals and bolts are metric and the numerical code is the dimension in mm. For example, the M8 terminal has a diameter of 8 mm. Longer bolts, if needed, can be found at most hardware stores.
Can you set up the accumulators in any position?
Yes, because there is no fluid inside LiFePO4 batteries.
This gives you the ability to install the battery where it is best suited for your application.
What is the difference between parallel and series connections?
Parallel connections consist of connecting two or more batteries together to increase the capacity of the battery pack. In this case the positive terminals are connected together and the negative terminals are connected together of all the batteries until you reach the desired capacity.
Series connections consist of connecting 2 or more batteries together to increase the voltage of the battery system. The positive of one battery is connected to the negative of another until the desired voltage is reached. For example, if you connect two 12V batteries in series, the battery pack will be 24V.
Will a 12V 100Ah lithium-iron-phosphate battery have a longer operating time than a 12V 100Ah lead-acid battery under the same conditions?
Yes, Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries offer a higher capacity than an equivalent lead acid product.
So you can expect :
- twice the available energy
- Up to 8 times longer run time
How do I prepare my lithium battery for off-season storage?
Simply charge your battery to 14.4 volts, disconnect it from your charger and equipment, and store it at a temperature between 10°C and 30°C. If you only store your battery for 3-6 months, you can safely store it at a 50% charge level. Unlike lead-acid batteries, a partial state of charge does not damage lithium batteries.
How do LiFePO4 batteries perform in cold weather?
As with all batteries, cold temperatures result in reduced performance. LiFePO4 batteries have a significantly higher capacity and cold retention voltage than lead acid batteries. Important tips to keep in mind: When charging lithium iron phosphate batteries at temperatures below 0°C, the charging current should be reduced to 0.1C and at temperatures below -10°C, it should be reduced to 0.05C. If you do not reduce the current below the freezing temperature, your battery may suffer irreversible damage.
How do LiFePO4 batteries perform in hot weather?
LiFePO4 batteries will provide their full capacity and performance until they reach the battery management protection level (BMS). The maximum temperature of the BMS is between 60 and 80°C. Consult your model's data sheet for the exact upper temperature limit. LiFePO4 batteries produce less heat than other lithium chemicals, but if they reach a higher limit, our BMS will protect the battery by turning it off.
What is the expected lifetime of a LiFePO4 battery?
Battery life is measured in life cycles and FRANCEBATTERY's LiFePO4 is typically rated at 3500 cycles at 100% depth of discharge (DOD).
Actual life expectancy depends on several variables depending on your specific application. If used for the same application, a LiFePO4 battery can last up to 10X longer than a lead acid battery.
How are LiFePO4 batteries safer than other lithium batteries?
Phosphate-based batteries offer a superior chemical and mechanical structure that does not overheat to dangerous levels.
They therefore offer increased safety compared to lithium-ion batteries made with other cathode materials. This is because the charged and uncharged states of LiFePO4 are physically similar and very robust, allowing the ions to remain stable during the oxygen flux that occurs along with charging cycles or possible malfunctions.
Overall, the phosphate-iron oxide bond is stronger than the oxide-cobalt bond, so when the battery is overcharged or subjected to physical damage, the phosphate-oxide bond remains structurally stable; whereas in other lithium chemicals, the bonds begin to break and release excessive heat, eventually causing thermal runaway. Lithium phosphate batteries are non-combustible, which is an important feature if mishandled during charging or discharging. They can also withstand harsh conditions, from freezing cold to searing heat to rough terrain.
When subjected to dangerous events, such as a collision or short circuit, they won't explode or catch fire, greatly reducing the risk of damage. If you choose a lithium battery and plan to use it in hazardous or unstable environments, LiFePO4 is probably your best choice.
It's also worth mentioning that LiFePO4 batteries are non-toxic, non-contaminating and contain no rare earth metals, making them an environmentally friendly choice.
Are my OlenBox OLENERGIES batteries waterproof?
OLENBOX lithium batteries are enclosed in an IP66 enclosure, which means that water splashed from any direction will not be harmful. They will be damaged if submerged in water. We recommend that you do your best to keep your batteries dry?
Load and unload
Can I use my existing lead acid battery charger (standard, AGM or gel) to charge FRANCEBATTERY lithium iron phosphate batteries?
Most likely, yes. In general, lithium batteries are easy to charge. Most chargers today have a lithium charge profile, which we recommend using.
In most cases, AGM or gel charging profiles will work with our batteries. We do not recommend using a flooded charge profile with our batteries.
These chargers may reach the surge protection limit and disconnect.
This will not damage the battery, but will likely cause the charger to fail. Before using a charger with FRANCEBATTERY batteries, it is best to verify that the charging profile is within our specifications, which you can find in our charging instructions.
Can I use my alternator to charge my lithium iron phosphate batteries?
LFP batteries can be charged with most alternators. Depending on the quality of the alternator, it should work with LiFePO4 batteries.
Low quality and poorly voltage regulated alternators can cause the BMS to disconnect the LiFePO4 batteries. If the BMS disconnects the batteries, the alternator could be damaged. To protect your LiFePO4 battery and the alternator, make sure to use a high quality compatible alternator or install a voltage regulator.
Please contact FRANCEBATTERY technical support if you need help.
How long does it take to charge a lithium battery?
Lithium and iron phosphate batteries can be recharged in as little as one hour. We recommend using a rate that will recharge your batteries in 2 to 5 hours.
Please refer to your model's data sheet for recommended charging rates. All our technical data sheets are available on our website in the "Additional Information" section.
How do I determine the state of charge (SOC) of my lithium iron phosphate battery?
The best way to determine the SOC of your battery is to use a battery gauge - a high-precision instrument that captures instantaneous, integrated data in real time.
Victron SoC level meters are available for purchase on our product page.
How strictly do I have to follow the charging limits?
The short answer is "not really."
Our specifications call for batteries to be charged to 14 to 14.6 volts for a full charge and "float" to 13.8 volts.
If you charge the battery below this range, you will have less than 100% charge in the battery - it will be at a partial state of charge. This simply means that you will have to recharge it sooner than expected. But you're not hurting the battery in any way by going below the recommended range - you're just reducing the capacity you'll have with that charge.
If you go over the 14.6 volt limit, our battery monitoring system - or BMS - will detect the over-voltage and disconnect from the battery. That's it! The only thing that will happen is that the BMS will do what it was designed to do and protect your battery.
Are lithium batteries poorly suited for partial state of charge (PSOC)?
No! Drawing power from a lithium battery does not produce any harmful or undesirable by-products. Charging and recharging simply moves lithium ions from one side of a membrane to the other.
Lithium batteries also reach their peak performance when they spend their life in a partial state of charge. The ideal maximum charge for a lithium-ion battery is about 80-90%.
This is much more practical in terms of the time and amperage needed to recharge your battery, and it gives you a margin of error for when things don't go as planned.
How much can a lithium iron phosphate battery be discharged?
LiFePO4 batteries can be discharged up to 100% without risk of damage. Be sure to charge your battery immediately after discharge. We recommend limiting the discharge to 80-90% of the depth of discharge (DOD) to prevent the BMS from disconnecting the battery.
How does the discharge rate affect the capacity?
The discharge rate of LiFePO4 batteries has hardly any effect on the delivered capacity. This is not the case with lead acid batteries, which have a significantly reduced capacity, up to 50%, when the discharge rate increases.
What is the maximum current I can use to charge my LFP lithium batteries?
FRANCEBATTERY's lithium batteries can be charged at a maximum current of 1C (C = battery capacity).
Ex. 50Ah OlenBox OLENERGIES battery can be charged with a maximum current of 50A. Refer to your battery's technical data sheet for the charging current specifications.
Do I have to recharge my batteries every time I use them?
Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries will not be damaged if left partially discharged for long periods.
However, we recommend that you recharge them after each use to ensure that you have the longest possible runtime each time you use your energy system.
What type of solar charge controller do I need to charge my batteries with my solar panels?
There are two types of charge controllers. Both work with FRANCEBATTERY batteries.
- Pulse width modulation (PWM)
- Maximum power point tracking (MPPT).
Lead-acid batteries
French LiFePo4/Gr batteries
Only 30 to 50% of the energy used is available !
A lead-acid battery discharges at only 30-50% of its overall capacity. Beyond that, there is a sulphation phenomenon
Replaces 2 lead acid batteries advantageously
Our batteries can be discharged almost completely without degrading; 100% useful capacity !
Very short service life: 300-500 cycles
On average, a lead acid battery is replaced every 2 years
Very long service life: 3000-5000 cycles
Our systems are designed for a minimum of 3,000 cycles or many years of use !
Unsecured
Multiple hazards such as potentially explosive gases and corrosive sulphuric acid
100% secured
The cell is intrinsically safe; no risk of fire or explosion
Lead is very heavy
The mass energy density of lead is the lowest of all existing battery technologies
Very light batteries
An Olenergies battery is about 60% lighter than a lead-acid battery for the same capacity !
Mandatory slow charging
Charging must be done slowly to avoid heating the internal chemical elements
Fast charging
It is not necessary to follow a load curve and the chemical elements do not heat up.
No partial load
Lead acid battery must be charged regularly at 100% to avoid shortening its life due to sulphation
Partial charging and discharging; no problem
The service life improves even slightly with partial charging instead of full charging.
High losses if the discharge is fast
Peukert’s Law: the more the lead battery is used, the less energy it will provide
No discharge losses
One of the great advantages of Olenergies batteries is that Peukert’s losses are almost non-existent.
No energy management
Lead batteries work without electronic boards
On-board intelligence
Right to error: our BMS is a “safeguard” that will intervene in the event of an anomaly
High losses during charging
Between 15 and 20% of the charging energy is lost during the charging process
Efficiency close to 100%
All the energy that charges our batteries is stored and not lost
Voltage drop with discharge
The voltage (V) of a lead acid battery decreases with discharge
Equal voltage throughout the discharge
Olenergies batteries provide the same voltage levels throughout the discharge
environment-unfriendly
Lead and acid are dangerous and toxic elements, including during recycling
Eco Friendly
No toxic or dangerous elements, for man or the planet. so no cobalt and never lead-acid
Batteries au Plomb
Seule 30 à 50% de l’énergie utilisée disponible!
Durée de vie très faible : 300-500 cycles
Non sécurisée
Dangers multiples tels que les gaz potentiellement explosifs et l’acide sulfurique corrosif
Le plomb c’est très lourd
La densité d’énergie massique du plomb est la plus faible de toutes les technologies de batteries existantes
Une charge lente obligatoire
Pas de charge partielle
De fortes pertes si la décharge est rapide
Pas de management de l'énergie
Les batteries plomb fonctionnent sans cartes électroniques
De fortes pertes lors de la charge
Baisse de tension avec la décharge
Un danger pour la planète
Batteries LiFePo4 françaises
Remplace avantageusement 2 batteries plomb
Très grande durée de vie : 3000-5000 cycles
100% sécurisé
Des batteries très légères
Fast recharge
Charges et décharges partielles sans problème
La durée de vie s’améliore même légèrement en cas de charge partielle au lieu d’une charge complète.
Pas de pertes à la décharge
Intelligence embarquée
Rendement proche de 100%
Tension égale tout au long de la décharge
Éco responsable
How long does it take to get my batteries after ordering them on the FRANCEBATTERY website?
Online orders are shipped Express from Paris, so you will receive your order within 2-3 days from the date of your order. The shipping time depends on the delivery address. You will be informed by email when your order is shipped.
More information on returns and deliveries on this dedicated page
Klarna is free of charge ! France Battery pays all interest for you !
Who is Klarna?
Klarna is a Swedish payment service provider that takes end-to-end responsibility for your payment. Klarna is the provider of smooth payments to more than 200,000 online stores. Over 85 million consumers worldwide have trusted Klarna to securely handle their payments.
How does Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments work?
Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments will allow you to spread the cost of your purchase over 3 equal payments. The payment for each instalment will automatically be collected from the debit or credit card you entered at checkout. Your first instalment will be collected when your order is confirmed by France Battery and instalments 2 and 3 are scheduled 30 and 60 days later, respectively. You can always monitor your payments’ schedule in the Klarna app.
Am I eligible for Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments?
To use Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments you must be at least 18. Whilst this option is widely promoted, Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments is subject to your financial circumstances. When choosing Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments, our assessment will not affect your credit rating.
How can I increase my chances of being accepted for Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments?
Klarna is unique and offers Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments based on a number of factors such as the order value, previous order history and item availability. If you are 18 or over, you can improve your chances of being offered Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments by ensuring you provide your full name and accurate address details and shipping to your registered billing address. All orders are assessed individually. Just because you have been accepted for a Klarna payment method before does not mean it will be offered for every order and in turn, as it is denied does not mean it will be denied for all future orders.
What do I need to provide when I make a purchase?
If you want to make a purchase with Klarna using Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments, you’ll need to provide your mobile phone number, email address, current billing address and a debit or card card. The mobile number is required in case we need to reach you. All communications will be sent to your email address. It’s very important that you give us the correct details, as otherwise you will not receive your payment schedule and any updated order information.
Will a credit search take place against me?
Klarna may run so-called unrecorded enquiries (or soft credit searches) that do not affect credit scoring and are only visible to you and Klarna, but not visible to other lenders. Neither Klarna nor France Battery run credit searches against you that could impact your credit rating.
Why have I not been offered Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments?
Although Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments is widely promoted it is not always universally available. The Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments payment option is automatically generated by algorithms that are dependent upon a number of factors including address details, cardholder details, amount of order, the online store, previous order history and item availability.
What are my payment options with Klarna?
Payment for your Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments will automatically be collected from the debit or credit card you entered at checkout. The first payment is taken when the order is confirmed. The second and third instalments are collected 30 and 60 days, respectively, after the first instalment. You can always monitor your payments’ schedule in the Klarna app.
What happens if I cancel or return my order?
As soon as France Battery have accepted your cancellation/return, Klarna will cancel any future scheduled payments as well as refund any amounts due. The return will be reflected in the Klarna app immediately.
What happens if I don’t pay for my order?
Klarna will automatically attempt to collect your payment for your Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments purchase at France Battery from the debit or credit card you entered at checkout. If we are unable to collect your payment on the scheduled due date Klarna will make one further attempt to automatically collect payment two days later. Should this last payment attempt fail, Klarna will issue you a statement for the full outstanding order amount which will become payable 15 days later. Klarna shall notify you when a payment is due two days in advance of attempting to collect your payment and you can always monitor the due date in Klarna app at your convenience. Your credit score will not be impacted by using Klarna’s ‘Pay later in 3 instalments’ product even if you have failed to pay on time.
I have been asked to go to the Klarna site. Is this correct?
You can view all of your Klarna purchases and payment schedule in the Klarna app or by logging onto Klarna.com/uk.
Is my payment information safe?
Payment information is processed securely by Klarna. No card details are transferred to or held by France Battery. All transactions take place via connections secured with the latest industry standard security protocols.
Can I pay before the due date?
Yes. Just go to the Klarna app or log onto Klarna.com/uk and pay off early.
Have you received my payment?
Klarna will notify you via email and push notification from the Klarna app when a payment is due and when this has successfully been collected, or in the unlikely event of your payment failing. If a payment has been collected but you have not received payment confirmation, you can always check the status of your order and payments in the Klarna app or by logging in at www.klarna.com/uk.
What happens to my statement, when I’ve returned the goods?
Once France Battery has received the return (partial or full) and you have received their confirmation of this, an updated statement with an adjusted payment schedule will be sent to you by Klarna if you’ve made a partial return. With a full return, we shall refund any payments collected and cancel any future scheduled payments. You are always able to monitor the status of your order in the Klarna app.
I’ve received a statement, but I’ve not yet received my goods.
In the event that your goods have not been received please call France Battery to check on your order and delivery status. You can also contact Klarna’s Customer Service so that we can postpone the due date on your payment or put the order on hold in the Klarna app while you wait for the goods to arrive.
I have cancelled my order. How long will it take until I receive my refund?
As soon as the store has registered your cancellation or your return, the refund will be processed within 5-7 business days.
I have asked for a refund. How will I be refunded?
Refunds shall be issued back to the debit or credit card which was originally entered at checkout.
I haven’t received an email with my statement/payment information.
You can log in the Klarna app or at www.klarna.com/uk, where you will find all of your orders and payment schedule information.
I still have questions regarding payment, how can I get in touch?
Visit Klarna app or Klarna’s Customer Service page for a full list of FAQ’s, live chat and telephone options.
Pay later in 30 days
How does Pay later in 30 days work?
Once your order is confirmed, you’ll receive an email with payment instructions within two days from Klarna. You’ll then have 30 days to try on your order and only pay when you’re happy. Complete the payment online, at your convenience, with no extra cost. You can pay via credit or debit card in Klarna.app or by logging into www.klarna.com/uk.
Am I eligible for Pay later in 30 days?
To use Pay later in 30 days you must be at least 18. Whilst this option is widely promoted, Pay later in 30 days is subject to your financial circumstances. When choosing Pay later in 30 days, our assessment will not affect your credit rating.
How can I increase my chances of being accepted for Pay later in 30 days?
Klarna is unique and offers Pay later in 30 days based on a number of factors such as the order value, previous order history and item availability. If you are 18 or over, you can improve your chances of being offered Pay later in 30 days by ensuring you provide your full name and accurate address details and shipping to your registered billing address. All orders are assessed individually. Just because you have had Pay later in 30 days before does not mean it will be offered for every order and in turn, as it is denied does not mean it will be denied for all future orders.
Will a credit search take place against me?
Klarna may run so-called unrecorded enquiries (or soft credit searches) that do not affect credit scoring and are only visible to you and Klarna, but not visible to other lenders. Neither Klarna nor France Battery run credit searches against you that could impact your credit rating.
Why have I not been offered Pay later in 30 days?
Although Pay later in 30 days is widely promoted it is not always universally available. The Pay later in 30 days method is automatically generated by algorithms that are dependent upon a number of factors including amount of order, the online store, previous order history and item availability. Alternatively, you are able to complete your order by paying by credit or debit card at the checkout.
What are my payment options with Klarna?
You can pay with debit or credit card immediately in the checkout or take advantage of our Pay later in 30 days payment option, where you can pay for the goods once you have received them via credit card or debit card. You can always monitor your outstanding payments in the Klarna app.
What happens if I cancel or return my order?
As soon as France Battery have accepted your cancellation/return, then Klarna will cancel the statement or refund your payment. The return will be reflected in the Klarna app immediately.
What happens if I don’t pay for my order?
Payment is due 30 days after the item is shipped. To help you pay on time, we’ll alert you two days before payment is due – you’ll receive a push notification from the Klarna app or email reminders to pay – and, if very late, we’ll also send you a text or letter, too. Your credit score will not be impacted by using Klarna’s ‘Pay later in 30 days’ products even if you have failed to pay on time.
I have been asked to go to the Klarna site. Is this correct?
If you have chosen to Pay later in 30 days, Klarna will send you an email with further details on how to pay. Your email will contain a link to Klarna where you can settle your payment with your credit or debit card. You are always able to view payments instructions in the Klarna app.
What do I need to provide when I make a purchase?
If you want to make a purchase with Klarna you need to provide your name, address and email address. For some orders you may need to provide your mobile number or date of birth, too. All information will be sent to your email address, including payment reminders and links to your online statements. It’s very important that you give us the correct details, as otherwise you will not receive the payment information.
Is my payment information safe?
Payment information is processed securely by Klarna. No card details are transferred to or held by France Battery. All transactions take place via connections secured with the latest industry standard security protocols.
Can I pay before the due date?
You can pay for your order at any point after you receive the email from Klarna with the details of your payment on. Just follow the instructions on this email or in the Klarna app to pay for your order.
Have you received my payment?
If you pay by card, France Battery will confirm your order right away. If paying by Pay later in 30 days, Klarna will send you a payment confirmation to the email address that you have used for your order. If you have made a payment but not received the payment confirmation, you can always check the status of your order and payments by logging in to the Klarna app or www.klarna.com/uk.
What happens to my statement, when I’ve returned the goods?
Once France Battery has received the return (partial or full) and you have received their confirmation of this, an updated statement will be sent to you by Klarna if you’ve made a partial return. With a full return, your statement will be closed. You are always able to monitor the status of your order in the Klarna app.
I’ve received a statement, but I’ve not yet received my goods.
You have 30 days to pay, so you don’t need to pay right away. If your due date is near and there is no sign of your goods, please call France Battery to check on delivery. You can also contact Klarna’s Customer Service so that we can postpone the due date on your payment or put the order on hold in the Klarna app while you wait for the goods to arrive.
I have cancelled my order. How long will it take until I receive my refund?
As soon as the store has registered your cancellation or your return, the refund will be processed within 5 business days.
I have asked for a refund. How will I be refunded?
If you have paid for your order with a card, the refund will be made back to the same card. If you have not paid the statement yet, then the refund will reduce the statement or cancel it completely.
I haven’t received an email with my statement/payment information.
If you do not have your statement number to hand you can log into the Klarna app or at www.klarna.com/uk, where you will find all of your orders and be able to make payments.
I still have questions regarding payment, how can I get in touch?
Visit Klarna app Klarna’s Customer Service page for a full list of FAQ’s, live chat and telephone options.
Frequently Asked Questions ?
General
I want to switch to lithium-iron-phosphate batteries. What do I need to know?
As with any battery replacement, you need to consider your capacity, power and size requirements, and make sure you have the right charger.
Keep in mind that when you switch from a lead-acid battery to a LiFePO4 battery, you can reduce the size of your battery (in some cases by as much as 50%) and still get the same amount of use. Most of the existing charging sources are compatible with our lithium-iron-phosphate batteries.
Please contact FRANCEBATTERY technical support if you need help with your upgrade and they will be happy to make sure you choose the right battery.
What is a BMS? What does it do and where is it located?
BMS stands for Battery Management System. The BMS protects the cells from damage, most often due to over- or under-voltage, over-current, high temperature or external short circuit.
The BMS shuts down the battery to protect the cells from dangerous operating conditions.
All batteries sold on FRANCEBATTERY have a built-in BMS to manage and protect them against this kind of problems.
What size of terminals for my batteries?
LiFePO4 batteries sold on FRANCEBATTERY are equipped with M6, M8 or M10 terminals.
These types of terminals are insertion terminals, also called internal threads, and are supplied with bolts.
The dimensions of the terminals and bolts are metric and the numerical code is the dimension in mm. For example, the M8 terminal has a diameter of 8 mm. Longer bolts, if needed, can be found at most hardware stores.
Can you set up the batteries in any position?
Yes, because there is no fluid inside the LiFePO4 batteries.
This gives you the ability to install the battery where it is best suited for your application.
What is the difference between parallel and series connections?
Parallel connections consist of connecting two or more batteries together to increase the capacity of the battery pack. In this case the positive terminals are connected together and the negative terminals are connected together of all the batteries until you reach the desired capacity.
Series connections consist of connecting 2 or more batteries together to increase the voltage of the battery system. The positive of one battery is connected to the negative of another until the desired voltage is reached. For example, if you connect two 12V batteries in series, the battery pack will be 24V.
Will a 12V 100Ah lithium-iron-phosphate battery have a longer operating time than a 12V 100Ah lead-acid battery under the same conditions?
Yes, Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries offer a higher capacity than an equivalent lead acid product.
So you can expect :
– twice the available energy
– Up to 8 times longer run time
How do I prepare my lithium battery for off-season storage?
Simply charge your battery to 14.4 volts, disconnect it from your charger and equipment, and store it at a temperature between 10°C and 30°C. If you only store your battery for 3-6 months, you can safely store it at a 50% charge level. Unlike lead-acid batteries, a partial state of charge does not damage lithium batteries.
How do LiFePO4 batteries perform in cold weather?
As with all batteries, cold temperatures result in reduced performance. LiFePO4 batteries have a significantly higher capacity and cold retention voltage than lead acid batteries. Important tips to keep in mind: When charging lithium iron phosphate batteries at temperatures below 0°C, the charging current should be reduced to 0.1C and at temperatures below -10°C, it should be reduced to 0.05C. If you do not reduce the current below the freezing temperature, your battery may suffer irreversible damage.
How do LiFePO4 batteries perform in hot weather?
LiFePO4 batteries will provide their full capacity and performance until they reach the battery management protection level (BMS). The maximum temperature of the BMS is between 60 and 80°C. Consult your model’s data sheet for the exact upper temperature limit. LiFePO4 batteries produce less heat than other lithium chemicals, but if they reach a higher limit, our BMS will protect the battery by turning it off.
What is the expected lifetime of a LiFePO4 battery?
Battery life is measured in life cycles and FRANCEBATTERY’s LiFePO4 is typically rated at 3500 cycles at 100% depth of discharge (DOD).
Actual life expectancy depends on several variables depending on your specific application. If used for the same application, a LiFePO4 battery can last up to 10X longer than a lead acid battery.
How are LiFePO4 batteries safer than other lithium batteries?
Phosphate-based batteries offer a superior chemical and mechanical structure that does not overheat to dangerous levels.
They therefore offer increased safety compared to lithium-ion batteries made with other cathode materials. This is because the charged and uncharged states of LiFePO4 are physically similar and very robust, allowing the ions to remain stable during the oxygen flux that occurs along with charging cycles or possible malfunctions.
Overall, the phosphate-iron oxide bond is stronger than the oxide-cobalt bond, so when the battery is overcharged or subjected to physical damage, the phosphate-oxide bond remains structurally stable; whereas in other lithium chemicals, the bonds begin to break and release excessive heat, eventually causing thermal runaway. Lithium phosphate batteries are non-combustible, which is an important feature if mishandled during charging or discharging. They can also withstand harsh conditions, from freezing cold to searing heat to rough terrain.
When subjected to dangerous events, such as a collision or short circuit, they won’t explode or catch fire, greatly reducing the risk of damage. If you choose a lithium battery and plan to use it in hazardous or unstable environments, LiFePO4 is probably your best choice.
It’s also worth mentioning that LiFePO4 batteries are non-toxic, non-contaminating and contain no rare earth metals, making them an environmentally friendly choice.
Are my OlenBox OLENERGIES batteries waterproof?
OLENBOX lithium batteries are enclosed in an IP66 enclosure, which means that water splashed from any direction will not be harmful. They will be damaged if submerged in water. We recommend that you do your best to keep your batteries dry.
Lead-acid or Lithium LFP?
Load and unload
Can I use my existing lead acid battery charger (standard, AGM or gel) to charge FRANCEBATTERY lithium iron phosphate batteries?
Most likely, yes. In general, lithium batteries are easy to charge. Most chargers today have a lithium charge profile, which we recommend using.
In most cases, AGM or gel charging profiles will work with our batteries. We do not recommend using a flooded charge profile with our batteries.
These chargers may reach the surge protection limit and disconnect.
This will not damage the battery, but will likely cause the charger to fail. Before using a charger with FRANCEBATTERY batteries, it is best to verify that the charging profile is within our specifications, which you can find in our charging instructions.
Can I use my alternator to charge my lithium iron phosphate batteries?
LFP batteries can be charged with most alternators. Depending on the quality of the alternator, it should work with LiFePO4 batteries.
Low quality and poorly voltage regulated alternators can cause the BMS to disconnect the LiFePO4 batteries. If the BMS disconnects the batteries, the alternator could be damaged. To protect your LiFePO4 battery and the alternator, make sure to use a high quality compatible alternator or install a voltage regulator.
Please contact FRANCEBATTERY technical support if you need help.
How long does it take to charge a lithium battery?
Lithium and iron phosphate batteries can be recharged in as little as one hour. We recommend using a rate that will recharge our batteries in 2-5 hours.
Please refer to your model’s data sheet for recommended charging rates. All our technical data sheets are available on our website in the “Additional Information” section.
How do I determine the state of charge (SOC) of my lithium iron phosphate battery?
The best way to determine the SOC of your battery is to use a battery gauge – a high-precision instrument that captures instantaneous, integrated data in real time.
Victron SoC level meters are available for purchase on our product page.
How strictly do I have to follow the charging limits?
The short answer is “not really.”
Our specifications call for batteries to be charged to 14 to 14.6 volts for a full charge and “float” to 13.8 volts.
If you charge the battery below this range, you will have less than 100% charge in the battery – it will be at a partial state of charge. This simply means that you will have to recharge it sooner than expected. But you’re not hurting the battery in any way by going below the recommended range – you’re just reducing the capacity you’ll have with that charge.
If you go over the 14.6 volt limit, our battery monitoring system – or BMS – will detect the over-voltage and disconnect from the battery. That’s it! The only thing that will happen is that the BMS will do what it was designed to do and protect your battery.
Are lithium batteries poorly suited for partial state of charge (PSOC)?
No! Drawing power from a lithium battery does not produce any harmful or undesirable by-products. Charging and recharging simply moves lithium ions from one side of a membrane to the other.
Lithium batteries also reach their peak performance when they spend their life in a partial state of charge. The ideal maximum charge for a lithium-ion battery is about 80-90%.
This is much more practical in terms of the time and amperage needed to recharge your battery, and it gives you a margin of error for when things don’t go as planned.
How deep can a lithium iron phosphate battery be discharged?
LiFePO4 batteries can be discharged up to 100% without risk of damage. Be sure to charge your battery immediately after discharge. We recommend limiting the discharge to 80-90% of the depth of discharge (DOD) to prevent the BMS from disconnecting the battery.
How does the discharge rate affect the capacity?
The discharge rate of LiFePO4 batteries has virtually no effect on the capacity delivered. This is not the case with lead acid batteries, which have a significantly reduced capacity, up to 50%, when the discharge rate increases.
What is the maximum current I can use to charge my LFP lithium batteries?
FRANCEBATTERY’s lithium batteries can be charged at a maximum current of 1C (C = battery capacity).
Ex. 50Ah OlenBox OLENERGIES battery can be charged with a maximum current of 50A Refer to your battery’s technical data sheet for the charging current specifications.
Do I have to recharge my batteries every time I use them?
Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries will not be damaged if left partially discharged for long periods.
However, we recommend that you recharge them after each use to ensure that you have the longest possible runtime each time you use your energy system.
What type of solar charge controller do I need to charge my batteries with my solar panels?
There are two types of charge controllers. Both work with FRANCEBATTERY batteries.
- Pulse width modulation (PWM)
- Maximum power point tracking (MPPT).
Curves
Buy now, Pay later
Using Klarna payment method
Klarna is free of charge ! France Battery pays all interest for you !
Who is Klarna?
Klarna is a Swedish payment service provider that takes end-to-end responsibility for your payment. Klarna is the provider of smooth payments to more than 200,000 online stores. Over 85 million consumers worldwide have trusted Klarna to securely handle their payments.
How does Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments work?
Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments will allow you to spread the cost of your purchase over 3 equal payments. The payment for each instalment will automatically be collected from the debit or credit card you entered at checkout. Your first instalment will be collected when your order is confirmed by France Battery and instalments 2 and 3 are scheduled 30 and 60 days later, respectively. You can always monitor your payments’ schedule in the Klarna app.
Am I eligible for Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments?
To use Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments you must be at least 18. Whilst this option is widely promoted, Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments is subject to your financial circumstances. When choosing Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments, our assessment will not affect your credit rating.
How can I increase my chances of being accepted for Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments?
Klarna is unique and offers Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments based on a number of factors such as the order value, previous order history and item availability. If you are 18 or over, you can improve your chances of being offered Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments by ensuring you provide your full name and accurate address details and shipping to your registered billing address. All orders are assessed individually. Just because you have been accepted for a Klarna payment method before does not mean it will be offered for every order and in turn, as it is denied does not mean it will be denied for all future orders.
What do I need to provide when I make a purchase?
If you want to make a purchase with Klarna using Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments, you’ll need to provide your mobile phone number, email address, current billing address and a debit or card card. The mobile number is required in case we need to reach you. All communications will be sent to your email address. It’s very important that you give us the correct details, as otherwise you will not receive your payment schedule and any updated order information.
Will a credit search take place against me?
Klarna may run so-called unrecorded enquiries (or soft credit searches) that do not affect credit scoring and are only visible to you and Klarna, but not visible to other lenders. Neither Klarna nor France Battery run credit searches against you that could impact your credit rating.
Why have I not been offered Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments?
Although Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments is widely promoted it is not always universally available. The Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments payment option is automatically generated by algorithms that are dependent upon a number of factors including address details, cardholder details, amount of order, the online store, previous order history and item availability.
What are my payment options with Klarna?
Payment for your Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments will automatically be collected from the debit or credit card you entered at checkout. The first payment is taken when the order is confirmed. The second and third instalments are collected 30 and 60 days, respectively, after the first instalment. You can always monitor your payments’ schedule in the Klarna app.
What happens if I cancel or return my order?
As soon as France Battery have accepted your cancellation/return, Klarna will cancel any future scheduled payments as well as refund any amounts due. The return will be reflected in the Klarna app immediately.
What happens if I don’t pay for my order?
Klarna will automatically attempt to collect your payment for your Pay later in 3 interest-free instalments purchase at France Battery from the debit or credit card you entered at checkout. If we are unable to collect your payment on the scheduled due date Klarna will make one further attempt to automatically collect payment two days later. Should this last payment attempt fail, Klarna will issue you a statement for the full outstanding order amount which will become payable 15 days later. Klarna shall notify you when a payment is due two days in advance of attempting to collect your payment and you can always monitor the due date in Klarna app at your convenience. Your credit score will not be impacted by using Klarna’s ‘Pay later in 3 instalments’ product even if you have failed to pay on time.
I have been asked to go to the Klarna site. Is this correct?
You can view all of your Klarna purchases and payment schedule in the Klarna app or by logging onto Klarna.com/uk.
Is my payment information safe?
Payment information is processed securely by Klarna. No card details are transferred to or held by France Battery. All transactions take place via connections secured with the latest industry standard security protocols.
Can I pay before the due date?
Yes. Just go to the Klarna app or log onto Klarna.com/uk and pay off early.
Have you received my payment?
Klarna will notify you via email and push notification from the Klarna app when a payment is due and when this has successfully been collected, or in the unlikely event of your payment failing. If a payment has been collected but you have not received payment confirmation, you can always check the status of your order and payments in the Klarna app or by logging in at www.klarna.com/uk.
What happens to my statement, when I’ve returned the goods?
Once France Battery has received the return (partial or full) and you have received their confirmation of this, an updated statement with an adjusted payment schedule will be sent to you by Klarna if you’ve made a partial return. With a full return, we shall refund any payments collected and cancel any future scheduled payments. You are always able to monitor the status of your order in the Klarna app.
I’ve received a statement, but I’ve not yet received my goods.
In the event that your goods have not been received please call France Battery to check on your order and delivery status. You can also contact Klarna’s Customer Service so that we can postpone the due date on your payment or put the order on hold in the Klarna app while you wait for the goods to arrive.
I have cancelled my order. How long will it take until I receive my refund?
As soon as the store has registered your cancellation or your return, the refund will be processed within 5-7 business days.
I have asked for a refund. How will I be refunded?
Refunds shall be issued back to the debit or credit card which was originally entered at checkout.
I haven’t received an email with my statement/payment information.
You can log in the Klarna app or at www.klarna.com/uk, where you will find all of your orders and payment schedule information.
I still have questions regarding payment, how can I get in touch?
Visit Klarna app or Klarna’s Customer Service page for a full list of FAQ’s, live chat and telephone options.
Pay later in 30 days
How does Pay later in 30 days work?
Once your order is confirmed, you’ll receive an email with payment instructions within two days from Klarna. You’ll then have 30 days to try on your order and only pay when you’re happy. Complete the payment online, at your convenience, with no extra cost. You can pay via credit or debit card in Klarna.app or by logging into www.klarna.com/uk.
Am I eligible for Pay later in 30 days?
To use Pay later in 30 days you must be at least 18. Whilst this option is widely promoted, Pay later in 30 days is subject to your financial circumstances. When choosing Pay later in 30 days, our assessment will not affect your credit rating.
How can I increase my chances of being accepted for Pay later in 30 days?
Klarna is unique and offers Pay later in 30 days based on a number of factors such as the order value, previous order history and item availability. If you are 18 or over, you can improve your chances of being offered Pay later in 30 days by ensuring you provide your full name and accurate address details and shipping to your registered billing address. All orders are assessed individually. Just because you have had Pay later in 30 days before does not mean it will be offered for every order and in turn, as it is denied does not mean it will be denied for all future orders.
Will a credit search take place against me?
Klarna may run so-called unrecorded enquiries (or soft credit searches) that do not affect credit scoring and are only visible to you and Klarna, but not visible to other lenders. Neither Klarna nor France Battery run credit searches against you that could impact your credit rating.
Why have I not been offered Pay later in 30 days?
Although Pay later in 30 days is widely promoted it is not always universally available. The Pay later in 30 days method is automatically generated by algorithms that are dependent upon a number of factors including amount of order, the online store, previous order history and item availability. Alternatively, you are able to complete your order by paying by credit or debit card at the checkout.
What are my payment options with Klarna?
You can pay with debit or credit card immediately in the checkout or take advantage of our Pay later in 30 days payment option, where you can pay for the goods once you have received them via credit card or debit card. You can always monitor your outstanding payments in the Klarna app.
What happens if I cancel or return my order?
As soon as France Battery have accepted your cancellation/return, then Klarna will cancel the statement or refund your payment. The return will be reflected in the Klarna app immediately.
What happens if I don’t pay for my order?
Payment is due 30 days after the item is shipped. To help you pay on time, we’ll alert you two days before payment is due – you’ll receive a push notification from the Klarna app or email reminders to pay – and, if very late, we’ll also send you a text or letter, too. Your credit score will not be impacted by using Klarna’s ‘Pay later in 30 days’ products even if you have failed to pay on time.
I have been asked to go to the Klarna site. Is this correct?
If you have chosen to Pay later in 30 days, Klarna will send you an email with further details on how to pay. Your email will contain a link to Klarna where you can settle your payment with your credit or debit card. You are always able to view payments instructions in the Klarna app.
What do I need to provide when I make a purchase?
If you want to make a purchase with Klarna you need to provide your name, address and email address. For some orders you may need to provide your mobile number or date of birth, too. All information will be sent to your email address, including payment reminders and links to your online statements. It’s very important that you give us the correct details, as otherwise you will not receive the payment information.
Is my payment information safe?
Payment information is processed securely by Klarna. No card details are transferred to or held by France Battery. All transactions take place via connections secured with the latest industry standard security protocols.
Can I pay before the due date?
You can pay for your order at any point after you receive the email from Klarna with the details of your payment on. Just follow the instructions on this email or in the Klarna app to pay for your order.
Have you received my payment?
If you pay by card, France Battery will confirm your order right away. If paying by Pay later in 30 days, Klarna will send you a payment confirmation to the email address that you have used for your order. If you have made a payment but not received the payment confirmation, you can always check the status of your order and payments by logging in to the Klarna app or www.klarna.com/uk.
What happens to my statement, when I’ve returned the goods?
Once France Battery has received the return (partial or full) and you have received their confirmation of this, an updated statement will be sent to you by Klarna if you’ve made a partial return. With a full return, your statement will be closed. You are always able to monitor the status of your order in the Klarna app.
I’ve received a statement, but I’ve not yet received my goods.
You have 30 days to pay, so you don’t need to pay right away. If your due date is near and there is no sign of your goods, please call France Battery to check on delivery. You can also contact Klarna’s Customer Service so that we can postpone the due date on your payment or put the order on hold in the Klarna app while you wait for the goods to arrive.
I have cancelled my order. How long will it take until I receive my refund?
As soon as the store has registered your cancellation or your return, the refund will be processed within 5 business days.
I have asked for a refund. How will I be refunded?
If you have paid for your order with a card, the refund will be made back to the same card. If you have not paid the statement yet, then the refund will reduce the statement or cancel it completely.
I haven’t received an email with my statement/payment information.
If you do not have your statement number to hand you can log into the Klarna app or at www.klarna.com/uk, where you will find all of your orders and be able to make payments.
I still have questions regarding payment, how can I get in touch?
Visit Klarna app Klarna’s Customer Service page for a full list of FAQ’s, live chat and telephone options.
Returns and deliveries
How long does it take to get my batteries after ordering them on the FRANCEBATTERY website?
Online orders are shipped Express from Paris, so you will receive your order within 2-3 business days from the date of your order. The shipping time depends on the delivery address. You will be informed by email when your order is shipped.
Tips to pamper your batteries
- Avoid extreme temperatures
- If possible after intensive use, let the battery rest before recharging (in winter you will notice a boost in autonomy if the battery goes from very cold to the ambient temperature of the house)
- Prefer slow recharging
- Avoid extremes when charging/discharging. The optimum is the 20 to 80% range
- For long term storage, charge your battery to 50% beforehand
- Avoid at all costs complete discharge (shortens its life span).
Any more questions?
DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US!