What battery chemistry should I use outdoors?

Short Answer: LiFePO4 for outdoor deployments

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) is the recommended battery chemistry for any permanent outdoor LoRa mesh installation. It is safer, more durable, and handles temperature extremes far better than standard LiPo batteries.

Why Not LiPo?

LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries are the default on most development boards because they're inexpensive and compact. For an outdoor deployment, they have serious limitations:

• Temperature sensitivity — LiPo loses significant capacity below 0°C and should never be charged below 0°C (causes internal lithium plating and eventual failure). In any climate with freezing winters, an outdoor LiPo battery will degrade rapidly or fail entirely within 1-2 seasons.
• Thermal runaway risk — LiPo batteries can catch fire if punctured, overcharged, or deeply discharged and then recharged. Not ideal in unattended outdoor enclosures.
• Short cycle life — 300-500 full charge cycles. A solar node cycling daily would exhaust a LiPo in 1-1.5 years.

LiFePO4 Advantages

LiFePO4 Products for LoRa Deployments

• Small cells (3.2V) — EVE LF50K, EVE LF100 18650-format cells; use with a LiFePO4-compatible BMS
• Integrated packs — Bioenno 3.2V to 12.8V packs with built-in BMS; Antigravity RE-START series; Dakota Lithium packs
• 12V packs — For larger systems with 12V charge controllers; Battleborn BB10012, Dakota Lithium 10-100Ah options

Charge Controller Compatibility

LiFePO4 requires a charge controller set to LiFePO4 chemistry. Lead acid charge profiles will undercharge LiFePO4 (not a safety issue, but reduces usable capacity). LiPo charge profiles will overcharge LiFePO4 (potential safety concern). Verify your charge controller supports LiFePO4 mode before purchasing.