In the realm of gate motor applications, choosing the right battery is crucial for ensuring reliable and uninterrupted operation. While the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries have gained popularity in various applications, Centurion Systems would like to caution the market about using them in gate motors.
LiFePO4 batteries typically have a charging temperature range of 0 to 45 degrees Celsius and an operating discharge temperature range of -20 to 60 degrees Celsius. Outside of these temperature ranges for both charging and discharging, the built-in Battery Management System (BMS) will disconnect the internal battery cells to prevent any damage or potential catastrophic failure.
Gate motors are usually installed outdoors, facing sun radiation, which leads to an elevated internal temperature typically 15-35 degrees higher than the ambient temperature, depending on the sun radiation level (winter and summer) and the duration of direct sunlight exposure. A simple analogy would be a parked vehicle in direct sunlight, without any interior cooling or ventilation.
As a practical example, an ambient temperature of 25 degrees Celsius with a gate motor exposed to a few hours of direct sunlight would quite easily mean an internal temperature of 45 degrees Celsius or higher. In this scenario, the LiFePO4 battery BMS will prevent the charger from charging the battery until the temperature is in the safe charging range again. This is a major constraint during rolling power load-shedding as every opportunity to charge the battery should be utilised.
In a summer climate where the ambient temperature is higher than 30 degrees, the internal gate motor temperature could exceed 60 degrees Celsius, which would mean a total disconnect of the battery until the internal temperature is within the safe range again.
While Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries are not immune to temperature considerations, they offer a more manageable solution. Charging these batteries at a voltage suited for higher temperatures, a practice consistent across all our chargers ensures a more adaptable solution. Unlike LiFePO4 batteries, SLA batteries do not require a built-in BMS, which means they do not disconnect during temperature fluctuations.
In an ideal setting, where a gate motor is shielded from direct sun exposure during winter and summer sun ray angles, it is possible to use LiFePO4 batteries. However, it is important to ensure these batteries are purpose-built for gate motors, capable of sustaining a discharge pulse of 35A or higher for a minimum of 3 seconds. Using batteries designed for alarm panel backup applications can significantly compromise the functioning of the gate motor due to their inability to provide the necessary initial current required for gate movement. When the gate motor remains shielded from direct sunlight and utilises LiFePO4 batteries designed for the motor's initial currents, a careful evaluation should weigh the cost-performance ratio against a high-quality 7.2Ah SLA battery. Nevertheless, we cannot guarantee the gate motor's consistent operation when using LiFePO4 batteries due to environmental dependencies.
Centurion Systems, boasting over 35 years of experience, has consistently relied on SLA batteries in gate motor applications. This track record has proven the reliability and suitability of SLA batteries for seamless gate automation, even in challenging environmental conditions.