Can I connect lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in parallel?

If you have ever sought information about connecting Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) batteries in parallel for your application and been left confused by conflicting information, let me clear the buzz and explain why some sources allow us to connect LFP batteries in parallel and others do not recommend it at all.

What happens if two lithium iron phosphate batteries are connected in parallel?

First of all, we should know that when two or more lithium iron phosphate batteries are connected in parallel, the current flowing through each battery cannot be exactly equal. For example, suppose you are using two 12V 100Ah batteries in parallel. When the battery system is connected to a 50A load, the load on each cell cannot be exactly 25A.

How are LiFePO4 batteries connected?

Like other types of battery cells, LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) cells are often connected in parallel and series configurations to meet specific voltage and capacity requirements for various applications. The following is some information about series and parallel connections before we get into the details further.

Can you connect 12V lithium batteries in parallel?

Yes, you can connect 12V lithium batteries in parallel. When connected in parallel, the voltage remains the same (12V in this case), but the capacity (Ah) adds up. It’s essential to make sure the batteries you’re connecting have the same voltage level and ideally the same state of charge to prevent unwanted current flows between the batteries.

What is paralleling a LiFePO4 battery?

Paralleling cells in a LiFePO4 battery is a way to increase the capacity of the battery (i.e., how long the battery can run on a single charge). Of course, paralleling a LiFePO4 battery does not mean that your battery can power any device above its standard output voltage, but rather increases the amount of time it can power the device.

Why are lithium batteries connected in series?

Lithium batteries are connected in series when the goal is to increase the nominal voltage rating of one individual lithium battery - by connecting it in series strings with at least one more of the same type and specification - to meet the nominal operating voltage of the system the batteries are being installed to support.