MountIng LiFePO4 Battery on its side?

[PriceTR24speed]

What is the consensus on mounting a LiFePO4 battery on its side? I see “opinions” and contradicting info all over the place. Some batteries say on short side is ok not on long side. Sone say the issue is venting? Has Anyone mounted theirs on its side with any problems?

I am thinking of trying it. I take my trolling motor battery out of the boat at the end of every trip anyway - just a habit I picked up from my dad years ago. I have a casting deck design that is perfect for me and my boat setup - only problem is clearance for the trolling motor battery….

 

[Bailey Boat]

Best bet would be to call the manufacturer and pose your question......

 

[airshot]

Yes....by all means check with mfgr ! Some can be set on any side but others cannot....best to be safe, especially when it comes to lipo type batteries...

 

[Buster]

I had my batteries (an AmpedOutdoors 100Ah for trolling motor and a TimeUSB 50Ah for electronics and other accessories) mounted on their sides all last summer. No problems. There is really no reason why they shouldn't be able to be mounted in any orientation. Think of your cell phone, laptop, power tool, or other device using rechargeable lithium batteries. The orientation doesn't matter. I suppose there could be something weird about the construction of a particular battery brand but I can't think offhand what that would be. There's nothing about the technology of the cells that would make orientation critical, and the venting and long vs short side comments really don't make sense.
But I totally get the concern. It's tough to get over decades of "training" about keeping batteries of Group 24/27/31 types oriented properly. I always kept my AGM batteries upright, even if the battery said it was ok to lay on its side. So even though I have a couple decades experience with lithium cells in both hobby and industrial/commercial applications and I'm pretty comfortable I know how they work, I'd still find and follow any mfg recommendations because we don't know what they did inside that plastic case.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

I think it depends on the plastic case design, if it is strong enough when put on the side. Batteries in a boat take a pounding, especially in the bow. Check with the mfg. Also make sure the terminals are very well protected from shorting out, and battery is very secure.

 

[Buster]

I think it depends on the plastic case design, if it is strong enough when put on the side. Batteries in a boat take a pounding, especially in the bow. Check with the mfg. Also make sure the terminals are very well protected from shorting out, and battery is very secure.

Good point.

 

[AlanT]

I agree with others about checking the specifics from the manufacturer. I know there are more possibilities for mounting than LA batteries, but it's possible the BMS is on one side and the manufacturer would want it sitting on that side. There is no venting on a LifePO4 battery. There are many youtube videos in which batteries are cut open and the cells are completely sealed.

 

[davidj65]

I think it depends on the plastic case design, if it is strong enough when put on the side. Batteries in a boat take a pounding, especially in the bow. Check with the mfg. Also make sure the terminals are very well protected from shorting out, and battery is very secure.

good points, the case and terminals--