Is it a bad idea to insulate LiFePO4 batteries?

[steven1955]

Is it a bad idea to insulate LiFePO4 batteries in instead of insulating the battery box?

I have four Renogy RBF100LPF12SH batteries. I was going to use closed cell polyethylene foam to give the batteries some vibration isolation anyway, but then I saw the packaging the batteries came in: Closed cell polyethylene foam.

I want to reduce how fast they got cold in the winter, and using the shipping foam blocks will definitely slow down the cooling. But would I overheat the batteries in the summer?

I can always add cooling fans to a battery box, but that does not really work when you insulate the batteries themselves.

 

[Pim57]

LFP battery’s only get warm if used at their max ratings. In your case 4 x 1C = 400 amps which equates to 4.8 kW.

 

[steven1955]

We will have a 2000 watt inverter used intermittently, about 196 amps at 12VDC, and another 10-15 amps of 12V loads that generally don't all run at the same time.

 

[Pim57]

So, you’re good. No problem with overheating the battery’s in summer!

You do have to fix the batteries somehow so they don’t move to much when you slam the brakes, drive to fast over a speedbump or climb a steep hill.

 

[steven1955]

Yes, of course the batteries would be fastened down. The photo was just a fit test. And to show how shipping foam could be repurposed as insulation and vibration isolation.

 

[StuartV]

Some batteries say not to go above 60oC or 65oC (140F+, just checked you're in the US), so maybe just stick a thermometer in there and check during summer.