Custom LiFePO4 Battery Pack RFQ Checklist: What Buyers Need to Prepare

A custom LiFePO4 battery pack quotation starts with more than voltage, capacity and order quantity. For OEM brands, equipment manufacturers, distributors and system integrators, a useful Request for Quotation (RFQ) should explain how the battery will operate, what equipment it must connect to, and which technical and commercial requirements the supplier must evaluate.

An incomplete specification can result in quotations for different battery configurations that are difficult to compare. It may also leave important questions about discharge current, BMS protection, enclosure design, testing and documentation unresolved until later in the project.

This guide outlines the information buyers should prepare before requesting a custom LiFePO4 battery pack quotation, covering 12.8V, 25.6V and 48V-class/51.2V applications.

1. Why Does a Detailed Battery Pack RFQ Matter?

Two battery packs can share the same nominal voltage and ampere-hour rating while differing significantly in their suitability for a particular application.

For example, two 25.6V 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries both have a nominal energy rating of 2.56kWh. However, their permissible continuous discharge currents, peak-load behavior, temperature limits, physical dimensions and communication capabilities may differ.

These differences matter when a battery must power equipment with high start-up currents, fit into a fixed installation space or communicate with an inverter.

A well-prepared RFQ helps the supplier:

• Evaluate whether an existing battery model can meet the requirement.
• Identify which components or features need customization.
• Check the suitability of the proposed electrical and mechanical design.
• Determine what testing and documentation may be required.
• Prepare a quotation based on a clearer scope of supply.

The goal is not to complete the entire engineering design before contacting a manufacturer. It is to provide enough information for a meaningful technical review and commercial discussion.

2. Custom LiFePO4 Battery Pack RFQ Checklist

The following ten categories form a practical starting point for OEM/ODM battery pack inquiries.

Mobile users can scroll horizontally to view the complete checklist.

3. Define Voltage, Capacity and Load Requirements

Nominal Voltage and Operating Voltage Range

LiFePO4 battery systems are frequently described using nominal voltage classes such as 12V, 24V and 48V. For a typical series configuration using 3.2V nominal LiFePO4 cells:

These are illustrative nominal configurations, not universal operating voltage ranges or specifications for every battery product. The charging voltage, discharge cut-off limits and usable voltage range must be confirmed for the selected battery and host equipment.

When preparing an RFQ, provide the equipment's allowable DC input range in addition to the preferred nominal battery voltage.

Battery Capacity: Ah Versus kWh

Battery capacity in ampere-hours (Ah) describes charge capacity. Energy in watt-hours (Wh) combines voltage and charge capacity:

Nominal energy (Wh) = Nominal voltage (V) × Rated capacity (Ah)

For example, a 25.6V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery has a nominal energy of:

25.6V × 100Ah = 2,560Wh = 2.56kWh

Usable energy may be lower than nominal energy because of the permitted state-of-charge range, protection limits, temperature, discharge conditions, battery aging and system conversion losses.

If the application requires a specific backup duration, provide both the power demand in watts or kilowatts and the required operating time.

Continuous Current and Peak Current

Capacity alone cannot determine whether a battery can support the connected load.

For example, a 1,000W DC load at an assumed constant 25.6V would draw approximately 39A, ignoring losses and voltage changes. Actual current will vary with battery voltage and operating conditions.

Buyers should specify:

• Maximum continuous discharge current.
• Maximum peak or start-up current.
• Duration and frequency of peak-current events.
• Required continuous and maximum charging current.
• Expected charge/discharge cycles and operating duty.

This information is particularly important for motor-driven equipment, industrial applications and systems with intermittent high-power demand.

4. Specify BMS Protection and Communication Requirements

The Battery Management System (BMS) is a critical part of a LiFePO4 battery pack. It monitors battery conditions and provides protection functions according to its design.

For a custom RFQ, describe the functions your equipment requires rather than asking only for a "smart BMS."

Protection Requirements

• Cell overvoltage and undervoltage protection.
• Charge and discharge overcurrent protection.
• Short-circuit protection.
• Temperature monitoring and protection.
• Cell balancing requirements.
• Fault reporting and recovery behavior.

Communication and System Compatibility

If the battery must communicate with an inverter, controller or host device, identify the equipment manufacturer and exact model.

Possible interface requirements include CAN, RS485 or another supported communication method. However, specifying an interface alone does not establish compatibility.

Communication protocol, message definitions, connector pin assignments, termination, firmware and device configuration may also need to be checked.

For residential energy storage applications, buyers can also review FLYFINE's OEM/ODM battery solutions for information about configuration, communication matching and private-label requirements.

5. Define Enclosure, Dimensions and Operating Environment

Mechanical requirements should be communicated early, particularly when a battery pack will be installed inside existing equipment.

A useful mechanical specification may include:

• Maximum available length, width and height.
• Mounting orientation and fixing points.
• Maximum permissible battery weight.
• Terminal positions and connector types.
• Cable routing and service access requirements.
• Preferred enclosure material, such as ABS or metal.
• Required dust and water ingress protection.

ABS and metal enclosures may be suitable for different product designs, but enclosure material alone does not determine overall safety, durability or ingress protection.

The final enclosure must be evaluated against mechanical loads, insulation, thermal behavior, corrosion exposure and installation requirements.

Temperature and Environmental Conditions

Identify the expected minimum and maximum temperatures during charging, discharging and storage.

Buyers should not assume that a LiFePO4 pack can be charged below 0°C without an appropriately designed and validated solution. Low-temperature charging capability depends on the cell specifications, battery protection strategy and any thermal-management functions.

For demanding applications, additional information about vibration, mechanical shock, altitude, condensation or outdoor exposure may be necessary.

6. Identify Testing, Certification and Shipping Requirements

Testing and compliance requirements depend on the battery design, intended application and destination market. Not every battery pack is subject to the same product safety standard.

When requesting a quotation, buyers should identify the relevant market and ask the supplier to confirm which documentation applies to the proposed configuration.

These references are not a universal mandatory certification checklist. Additional regulations, product standards and installation requirements may apply.

For transport planning, request the applicable UN 38.3 test summary and relevant shipment documentation. The exact requirements depend on the battery configuration, transport mode and applicable dangerous-goods rules.

It is also important to distinguish a cell-level test or certificate from evidence covering the finished battery pack. A change in pack design may require additional assessment.

Official references: PHMSA Lithium Battery Transportation, IEC 62619, IEC 63056 and UL 1973.

7. Provide Order Quantity, Customization Scope and Project Timeline

An OEM quotation involves both technical requirements and commercial assumptions.

Suppliers may need to distinguish between a standard battery with branding changes, a modified existing design and a fully customized battery pack.

Buyers should clarify:

• Quantity required for initial evaluation or prototypes.
• Estimated quantity for the first commercial order.
• Expected annual purchase volume, if available.
• Whether tooling or a new enclosure is required.
• Branding, labeling, packaging and documentation needs.
• Destination country and preferred delivery terms.
• Target sample date and mass-production schedule.

Minimum order quantities, sample availability, tooling expenses and production lead times depend on the agreed design and order conditions. These should be confirmed during the quotation process rather than assumed in advance.

8. Example: A Custom LiFePO4 Battery Pack RFQ

The following is an illustrative inquiry showing how a buyer could present a preliminary battery requirement. It is not a confirmed FLYFINE product configuration or a validated engineering design.

With this information, a supplier can begin evaluating battery architecture, current-handling capability, BMS selection, mechanical design and project-specific testing needs.

The buyer should still provide the exact host-equipment requirements, charger information, connector specifications and mechanical drawings before the final design is approved.

9. What Should Buyers Verify Before Approving a Sample?

A sample is an opportunity to confirm that the proposed battery meets the agreed application requirements before commercial production.

Depending on the project, an evaluation plan may cover:

• Physical dimensions, mounting and connector fit.
• Capacity and energy measurements under defined test conditions.
• Voltage and current behavior under representative loads.
• Charging compatibility and protection response.
• BMS communication and fault reporting.
• Temperature performance within specified conditions.
• Required documentation and traceability.

Acceptance criteria should be agreed before testing. Where relevant, recorded test conditions should include ambient temperature, charge/discharge current, cut-off limits and equipment configuration.

After sample approval, the parties should confirm the controlled production specification, including component revisions, firmware configuration, inspection criteria and approved documentation.

Passing a limited functional sample test does not replace application-specific safety testing or required certification.

10. Common RFQ Mistakes to Avoid

Providing Only Voltage and Capacity

A request for a "24V 100Ah lithium battery" does not identify the continuous current, peak load, installation conditions or charging requirements.

Ignoring Equipment Compatibility

For inverter and controller applications, both electrical operating limits and communication requirements should be checked.

Comparing Quotations with Different Technical Scope

Confirm whether each offer covers the same cell requirements, BMS functions, enclosure, accessories, testing, documentation and commercial terms.

Leaving Certifications Until Shipment

Identify the destination market and required evidence early. Certification and testing requirements can influence design decisions and project schedules.

Skipping Sample Acceptance Criteria

Without agreed specifications and test conditions, a buyer may have difficulty determining whether a prototype is ready for production approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Preparing Your RFQ for FLYFINE

FLYFINE provides LiFePO4 battery and energy storage solutions for B2B customers, including OEM/ODM cooperation and project-based product configuration.

For a custom battery pack inquiry, buyers can submit their application requirements, target electrical specifications, equipment information, expected order quantity and destination market.

FLYFINE's team can review the inquiry and discuss suitable existing products or potential customization requirements. Final feasibility, technical specifications, available documentation and commercial terms must be confirmed for each project.

For related products, explore FLYFINE's 25.6V wall-mounted LiFePO4 battery series and 51.2V floor-standing battery series.

Technical References

This guide draws on publicly available technical standards and FLYFINE's published product information. Requirements and certification applicability should be verified for the specific battery model, installation and target market.

1. IEC 62619:2022 — Safety Requirements for Industrial Lithium Cells and Batteries.
2. IEC 63056:2020 — Safety Requirements for Lithium Batteries Used in Energy Storage Systems.
3. IEC 62133-2 — Safety Requirements for Portable Lithium Batteries.
4. UL 1973 — Batteries for Stationary and Motive Auxiliary Power Applications.
5. PHMSA — Transporting Lithium Batteries.

Technical information is provided for preliminary purchasing and engineering discussions. It does not constitute a final battery design, a certification statement or installation approval.