Custom LiFePO4 Battery Quote: RFQ Parameter Checklist
Custom LiFePO4 Battery Pack Quotation: What Parameters Buyers Must Provide First
A request that says "we need a 48V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery" is a starting point - not a specification.
Two suppliers can return quotes for that sentence, and the packs may differ in continuous current, peak capability, BMS logic, communication protocol, thermal design, enclosure rating, cell traceability, and certification scope. If the inputs are vague, the quotes are not comparable.
For procurement managers, the rule is simple: a quotation can only be as firm as the RFQ behind it.
RYDBATT (Shenzhen Ryder Electronics) has built custom lithium systems since 2005 - covering system architecture, in-house BMS, PACK engineering, and OEM/ODM manufacturing for e-mobility, industrial, robotics, and energy storage applications. This guide explains exactly what to send before asking for a custom LiFePO4 quote.
1. Application & Duty Cycle
Start with how the battery actually works, not just the equipment name.
- End-use equipment (e-forklift, AGV, golf cart, e-motorcycle, solar storage, robot, marine, etc.)
- Daily operating hours and duty cycle
- Load profile: idle / cruise / acceleration / peak / standby
- Target runtime per charge
- Expected service life (years and cycles)
- Deployment environment: indoor, outdoor, cold-chain, marine, dusty, vibrating
Example: a 51.2V 100Ah pack for a resort shuttle has a very different duty cycle than the same capacity in a stationary telecom backup.
2. Electrical Parameters
Voltage window, not just nominal voltage
"48V" can mean 16S LiFePO4 (51.2V nom., ~58.4V full) or 13S/14S NMC. Always provide:
- Nominal voltage
- Minimum operating voltage (controller cutoff)
- Maximum charge voltage (including regen overshoot)
- Allowed voltage tolerance
Capacity & energy
- Ah rating
- Wh or kWh target (Wh = V × Ah)
- Usable energy (DoD expectation, e.g. 80% or 90%)
Current profile
- Continuous discharge current (A) + duration
- Peak current (A) + pulse length (e.g. 300A for 5s)
- Regen/charge current acceptance
- Inrush current for motor, inverter, or DC-DC startup
3. Cell & Chemistry Preferences
- Chemistry: LiFePO4 (LFP) preferred? Or open to NMC?
- Cell format: prismatic / cylindrical / pouch
- Cell brand constraint: named brand, or supplier-recommended
- "Grade A" definition: require written capacity, IR, and OCV spread limits
- Cycle-life target: e.g. 3000 cycles @ 80% DoD
RYDBATT performs incoming cell grading, 16S matching, formation/aging, and per-serial traceability before shipment.
4. BMS & Communication
- Protection functions: OVP, UVP, OCP, SCP, OTP, balancing
- Balancing type: passive / active
- Communication protocol: CAN 2.0B / RS485 / UART / SMBus
- Baud rate, node ID, DBC or register map
- Data required: SOC, SOH, cell voltage, temperature, fault codes
- Host interaction: motor controller, charger, dashboard, fleet CMS
- Sleep/wake, pre-charge, contactor, interlock logic
5. Mechanical & Installation Constraints
- Max dimensions (L × W × H) + keep-out zones
- Weight limit or target
- Mounting method: rack, wall, cradle, bracket, drawer
- Orientation and vibration direction
- Terminal type, position, polarity
- Connector part numbers (power + signal)
- Cable length, bend radius, strain relief
6. Charging Conditions
- Existing charger model + output profile
- Charge voltage / current / termination logic (CV-CC)
- Charge time target
- Charging temperature limits
- Opportunity-charging or buffer mode?
- Does the host run while charging?
7. Thermal & Environmental Requirements
- Operating temperature: charge / discharge
- Storage temperature
- Low-temp charge: needs heating film or BMS cutoff?
- IP rating: IP20 / IP54 / IP65 / IP67
- Humidity, salt fog, dust, chemical exposure
- Vibration/shock profile (vehicle, marine, AGV)
- Altitude and cooling method (natural / forced)
8. Compliance & Target Markets
- Transport: UN38.3, MSDS/SDS
- Cell/pack safety: IEC 62133-2, UL 1642, UL 2054, UL 2271, UL 2580
- EMC / regional: CE, UKCA, RoHS, REACH, FCC
- Storage systems: IEC 62619 / UL 9540A where applicable
- Documentation: per exact SKU, not a shared certificate
9. Commercial & Project Terms
- Sample quantity
- Pilot batch / trial-run volume
- Annual forecast (not just "big volume")
- Incoterm: EXW / FOB / CIF / DDP
- Tooling, development, certification, and packaging as line items
- Lead time assumption and validity of quotation
- Branding: logo, label, color, manual, retail packaging
- Change-control: no silent cell/BMS/connector substitution
- Warranty and RMA terms
10. RFQ Template for Custom LiFePO4 Packs
Copy this into your inquiry email.
1. Application & duty cycle:
2. Equipment / controller / inverter model:
3. Nominal voltage & allowed voltage window:
4. Required capacity (Ah) and energy (Wh/kWh):
5. Continuous discharge current + duration:
6. Peak current + pulse length:
7. Regen / max charge current:
8. Target runtime per charge:
9. Cell preference (LFP / NMC / named brand):
10. Cycle-life target (cycles @ DoD %):
11. BMS functions & communication (CAN/RS485/etc.):
12. Envelope dimensions (L×W×H) + drawing:
13. Weight limit & mounting method:
14. Connector types / pinout:
15. Charge profile & charger model:
16. Operating temperature & IP rating:
17. Target markets & certifications:
18. Sample qty / pilot qty / annual volume:
19. Branding & packaging requirements:
20. Required documents (test reports, DBC, drawings):
Attach: load curve, battery-bay drawing, controller datasheet, connector photo, charger label.
11. Why Procurement Teams Work With RYDBATT
Shenzhen Ryder Electronics (RYDBATT), since 2005:
- In-house BMS, PACK, and system architecture
- LiFePO4 & NMC custom platforms: 12V / 24V / 36V / 48V / 60V / 72V
- Applications: e-bike, e-motorcycle, golf cart, AGV, storage, industrial
- Smart BMS with CAN / RS485 / GPS / Bluetooth
- Cell grading, formation, aging, and serial-level traceability
- IP65–IP67 enclosure validation
- UN38.3, MSDS, CE, RoHS; IEC/UL docs per project
- OEM/ODM: voltage, capacity, enclosure, connector, protocol
Reference Products:
FAQ
Q: Why can't I just send "48V 100Ah LiFePO4"?
A: Because that defines energy, not current capability, voltage window, BMS behavior, or mechanical fit. Two packs with the same label can be unsafe in the same equipment.
Q: Should I specify the cell brand?
A: Either name a qualified cell, or let the supplier recommend one with written grade criteria. Both are fine - just state which path you're using.
Q: What BMS info does RYDBATT need?
A: Protection list, communication protocol, CAN baud/DBC or RS485 register map, SOC reporting, fault behavior, and host device type.
Q: How detailed must the drawing be?
A: A preliminary envelope with max dimensions, terminal position, mounting points, and keep-out zones is enough to start. Final CAD comes during DVT.
Q: Can RYDBATT match our existing controller protocol?
A: Yes. CAN/RS485 mapping, register definitions, and BMS logic can be adapted during the engineering sample stage.
Q: What documents ship with samples?
A: Datasheet, discharge curves, UN38.3 summary, MSDS, CE/RoHS, BMS protocol, cell-matching report, and per-serial test record.
