[xenadu02]

For some time I've been curious why none of the major UPS manufacturers offer LiFePO4 UPS units. They'd be smaller, lighter, and have a longer run time all else equal (dramatically lower shipping charges). Batteries wouldn't need replacing nearly as often.

Yet as far as I can tell none of them offer anything in this area except at the extremely high end. Even Ubiquiti's UPS offerings are garbage simulated sine wave with lead acid batteries.

Are UPSes such a niche product there's no money in it? Are they really content to just give up the whole "power station" market to upstart competitors?

Even aviation jump packs (that connect to aircraft ground power ports) offer lithium versions and that's an industry that moves like sloths toward new technology!

[butvacuum]

LiFePO4 generally has a 0.5 or 1C discharge. You'd end up with a 500W UPS that could run for 10 hours, or 48v+ battery packs.

and yes, they're also happy to heave to: plenty of DC ups' use NMC. Apc can't even be bothered to make a consumer class UPS that works with PFC- at all.

[Saris]

Depends on the type of LiFePo4 cells, ones designed for higher power can easily do 5-10C or more. But that's not needed for a UPS. Most common high energy cells can handle 3C.

3C or 20 minutes of runtime would be in the realm of most UPS ratings (remember the LiFePo4 cells have a lot more energy/runtime in the same space).