We recently brought you an article discussing Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, how they are used in GIZZU Portable Power Stations and how they represent the next stage in battery evolution, especially in the realm of home / school / camping / office power which has very demanding requirements and puts any battery under tough circumstances.
To better deep dive into LiFePO4 and provide some answers about important questions around LiFePO4, we had the experts in for a podcast. Those experts are from leading South African distributor Syntech which brings GIZZU into the country. Speaking to us recently was Ryan Martyn, Sales & Marketing Director at Syntech and Jason Nell, Senior Product Manager at Syntech.
Q: What is LiFePO4?
A: LiFePO4 is a safer, more stable battery technology with more life cycles compared to Lithium-ion batteries. It also charges faster and is much more superior to the old standard for UPS, the lead-acid battery.
Q: Why aren’t we seeing LiFePO4 batteries used in products like phones?
A: LiFePO4 has a slightly different form factor (when compared to Lithium-ion) which makes them a bit bigger. The huge amount of compliance testing also hampers adoption but you will likely see more LiFePO4 in more devices soon.
“The reality is that battery technology is progressing much faster than some other spaces. We’re seeing research about a lot of exciting form factors and components such as sodium. I think we will see future products incorporate LiFePO4 because it is better, it is safer, it has a longer life and it just has more benefits. We expect that a lot of products that are already half way into their life cycle will use LiFePO4 at a later stage,” Martyn explains about the behind-the-scenes process of manufacturing and distributing electronics.
Q: Does the use of Portable Power Stations impact your electricity usage?
A: Yes, charging your Portable Power Station does use more electricity, but then you will have access to this electricity during loadshedding. GIZZU carefully manages this with smart power management that is in your control.
Q: What is the best way to store a Portable Power Station over a long period? In the unlikely scenario that loadshedding ends or is suspended for a noticeable amount of time.
A: Every three months take the Portable Power Station out of storage to charge and discharge it. When placing it back in storage make sure the battery has between 30 and 80 percent charge.
Q: What are the best practices for safety when using these large capacity batteries?
A: Nell provides several pieces of advice for GIZZU owners, several of which will look familiar for other battery-powered devices:
- Use your Portable Power Station in a well-ventilated area,
- Do not leave the device in direct sunlight,
- Do not use the device near an open flame,
- Keep away from water,
- Do not throw the device around or otherwise impact it,
- Be careful when moving the Portable Power Station,
- Manage the amount of devices plugged in and the overall load on the device,
- While GIZZU Portable Power Stations are fully grounded, it is still best to be wary of static electricity.
Q: What size Portable Power Station should I buy?
A: Everyone has different power needs depending on the amount of people who need power and what devices are connected. Syntech and GIZZU provide a handy online tool to determine the best Portable Power Station for your needs.
Q: Can you replace your LiFePO4 batteries?
A: No. Never attempt to open any device with batteries as this is extremely dangerous. Should you have any problems with your GIZZU product you should contact the local and helpful GIZZU customer support here.
Q: What warranty do I get with a GIZZU LiFePO4 Portable Power Station?
A: GIZZU has a two-year warranty on all new generation Portable Power Stations. Customers who have any questions or need assistance around their warranty are also recommended to contact GIZZU customer support which offers multiple ways to reach help.
