Are the L9963E and L9963 battery management and balancing chips compatible with LiFePO4 batteries?

[MSmit.17]

According to the datasheets for the L9963E and L9963, they state they are both "a Li-ion battery monitoring and protecting chip." There is no explicit mention that they won't work with LiFePO4 batteries and it's unclear if ST includes LiFePO4 batteries under "Li-ion" batteries. Want to confirm if LiFePO4 can be used with these chips.

[Peter BENSCH · Accepted solution]

Welcome, @Community member​, to the community!

L9963 is already on NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs), new designs should use L9963E instead.

LiFePO4 has a minimum discharge voltage of 2.0V, a typical cell voltage of 3.2-3.3V and a maximum charge voltage of 3.60-3.65. L9963E covers a voltage range between 0.5-4.6V per cell, which therefore includes LiFePO4, but should also be designed for it by the software of the higher-level controller.

Does it answer your question?

Regards

/Peter

[MSmit.17]

Thank you for your answer @Peter BENSCH​.

I figured you could use LiFePO4 with the L9963E.

Thank you for confirming this.

[Peter BENSCH]

You're welcome!

If the problem is solved, please mark this thread as answered by selecting Select as best, as also explained here. This will help other users find that answer faster.

Good luck!

/Peter