Lithium iron phosphate batteries have continued to grow in popularity in the market due to their significant advantages over other batteries in the provision of an optimal discharge and charge efficiency, a long life span and an ability to deep cycle while maintaining power.  

Locally, the uptake of lithium iron phosphate – already a premium battery – has been hindered by a weak currency that combined with import duties has made it a costly investment.  This has arguably had a knock-on effect on the willingness of many South Africans to introduce solar into their homes or small businesses, particularly given that lithium iron phosphate batteries are the best option for storing solar energy in inverters.  

Probe, South Africa’s largest importer of premium, maintenance-free, fit and forget batteries and a leader in rotating electrics, recognised the growing market need for a high quality yet affordable lithium iron phosphate battery option.  By introducing the Max Li range, home-owners and small businesses will have a competitive battery solution to help them reach their goals of going solar – be it off-grid or grid-tied.

The Max Li Deep Cycle lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFeP04) range comes in many capacities but currently stocked from a 2.4 KWH, to 3.5 KWH and 4.8 KWH making these ideal from small home usage through to offices and small businesses.  The range has the following features:

•    A longer cycle life, which is up to 20 times longer than a lead acid battery life cycle and up to five times longer in terms of its calendar life.  This helps to minimise replacement costs and contributes to the reduction in the total cost of ownership.
•    A lighter weight, boasting about 40% of the weight of a comparable lead acid battery, which enables it to be a ‘drop in’ replacement for lead acid batteries.  
•    Higher power, which sees the LiFeP04 deliver twice the power of a lead acid battery, even at a high discharge rate, while maintaining a high energy capacity.
•    Superior safety, thanks to the LiFeP04 chemistry which eliminates the risk of explosion or combustion due to high impact, overcharging or in a short circuit situation.
•    Increased flexibility due to a modular design that enables the deployment of up ten batteries in parallel.

Probe CEO, Rick Rovelli, says that Probe’s more than 50 years’ experience in South Africa including the distribution and provision of aftermarket support for many international brands, has enabled the company to ‘read’ the market and anticipate its needs.  “This is true now for Probe’s Max Li battery range, which supports the purchasing habits of both smaller businesses and consumers.  Certainly, as the urgency grows for solar applications in these markets due to an unstable electricity grid combined with soaring power costs, there is the need for a robust, optimally-performing battery that contributes to a cost-effective solar installation.  The Max Li range’s competitive price point could well be a game-changer in solar installation for in South African homes and businesses.”