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LiFePO4 batteries: what the spec sheet is telling you

By the Plain Prepper editors. Updated 2026-10-14.

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Quick answer

LiFePO4 is lithium iron phosphate, a rechargeable lithium chemistry used in deep cycle batteries, power stations and home backup banks. A 12 V LiFePO4 is really 12.8 V nominal, so a 100 Ah battery holds about 1,280 Wh. LiTime rates its 12 V 100 Ah at 4,000 cycles at 100% depth of discharge, 6,000 at 80% and 15,000 at 60%. Battle Born rates its 12 V 100 Ah at 3,000 to 5,000 cycles with 100% usable depth of discharge. Charge it only above 32 degrees F, with a charger set for lithium, and keep its built-in BMS on duty.

What LiFePO4 means

The letters stand for lithium (Li), iron (Fe) and phosphate (PO4). It is a lithium battery, and yes, it is rechargeable, built for thousands of charge and discharge cycles. Battle Born describes the chemistry as stable and pairs it with a battery management system (BMS), the built-in electronics that guard against faults. LiTime's 12 V 100 Ah lists a 100 A BMS that limits both continuous charge and discharge current to 100 A.

For a prepper, the draw is simple. Battle Born says its battery needs no watering, corrosion cleanup or equalizing, LiTime lists a 3% self-discharge rate, and Battle Born lists 2% to 3% a month. A charged bank waits for the next outage with little attention.

Amp-hours and watt-hours

Amp-hours (Ah) tell you how much current a battery can deliver over time. Watt-hours (Wh) tell you how much energy it holds, which is what you need for run-time math. To convert, multiply amp-hours by the nominal voltage:

• 12.8 V x 100 Ah = 1,280 Wh, which is exactly what LiTime lists.
• A device drawing 64 W would run about 20 hours on that (1,280 / 64), before inverter losses.

Battle Born also lists "Ah PbEq 200Ah" for its 100 Ah battery. That means it compares it to a 200 Ah lead-acid battery, since lead-acid is usually run only to half its rating. LiTime makes the same kind of comparison: its 24.25 pound battery against a 12 V 200 Ah lead-acid at five times the weight.

Two 12 V 100 Ah batteries compared

	LiTime 12V 100Ah	Battle Born BB10012
Energy	1,280 Wh	100 Ah, 100% usable
Cycle rating	4,000 at 100% DOD, 6,000 at 80%, 15,000 at 60%	3,000 to 5,000
Charge voltage	14.4 V, plus or minus 0.2 V, CC/CV	14.2 to 14.6 V
Float voltage	Not listed	13.4 to 13.8 V
Self-discharge	3% low self-discharge rate	2% to 3% per month
Series limit	4P4S, up to 51.2 V and 20.48 kWh	48 V maximum series voltage, parallel as installation guidelines allow
Size class	Group 31 size	Group 27 and Group 31
Weight	24.25 lb	31 lb
Safety listings	IEC 62619, UN38.3, FCC, CE, RoHS	UL 2054 and UL 62133-2 (ETL listed), UL 1642 cells, UN 38.3
Water rating	IP65	IP65
Warranty	5 years	10 years

The batteries store a similar amount, so the choice comes down to warranty, safety listings, weight and how you plan to expand.

Depth of discharge and cycle life

Cycle ratings only mean something with the depth of discharge (DOD) attached. LiTime's own figures show the trade: running its battery to empty every time gives 4,000 rated cycles, while stopping at 60% DOD raises that to 15,000. For backup that sits idle most of the year, any of these numbers outlasts years of storms. For daily solar cycling, a slightly larger bank that runs shallower can stretch its life.

How to charge a lithium battery

1. Use a lithium profile. LiTime lists CC/CV charging at 14.4 V, plus or minus 0.2 V, with 20 A recommended for its 100 Ah. Battle Born lists 14.2 to 14.6 V.
2. Watch the temperature. LiTime lists charging from 32 to 122 degrees F, discharging from -4 to 140 degrees F and storage from 14 to 122 degrees F. Charging below freezing is outside its range. Battle Born sells heated versions for cold use.
3. Know your charge sources. LiTime names a LiFePO4 battery charger, solar panels or a generator as charging options. Battle Born mentions solar, shore power and alternator charging.
4. Respect the BMS limits. LiTime's 100 A BMS caps continuous charge and discharge at 100 A, about 1,280 W, with 400 A allowed for 1 second.

Building a bigger bank

Series connections raise voltage, and parallel connections add capacity. LiTime allows up to four in series and four in parallel. Four in series make a 51.2 V battery for a 48 V inverter, and a full 4P4S bank of 16 batteries holds 20.48 kWh. Battle Born allows series wiring to 24, 36 or 48 V, and parallel strings as its installation guidelines permit. Follow each maker's manual for which batteries can share a bank, cable sizing and fusing.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

What is a LiFePO4 battery?

A rechargeable lithium iron phosphate battery. Deep cycle versions like LiTime's 12 V 100 Ah hold 1,280 Wh and are rated for thousands of cycles.

How long do LiFePO4 batteries last?

LiTime rates its 100 Ah at 4,000 cycles at 100% DOD and 15,000 at 60%. Battle Born rates its 100 Ah at 3,000 to 5,000 cycles.

Can I charge a LiFePO4 battery in freezing weather?

Not a standard one. LiTime lists charging from 32 degrees F up. Heated versions, like Battle Born's heated models, exist for cold use.

How do I calculate watt-hours?

Multiply amp-hours by nominal voltage. A 12.8 V, 100 Ah LiFePO4 holds 1,280 Wh.

Sources

• LiTime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Battery (specifications), LiTime
• 100Ah 12V LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery (BB10012), Battle Born Batteries

Sources checked 2026-10-14.