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AGV & AMR LiFePO4 Battery Project

This custom AGV LiFePO4 battery project shows how a battery system can be configured for automated guided vehicles, autonomous mobile robots and warehouse automation equipment.

The engineering review covers vehicle voltage, battery capacity, average operating current, startup current, required runtime, charging-station compatibility, CAN or RS485 communication and installation dimensions.

Custom AGV LiFePO4 battery installed in an automated guided vehicle
Custom LiFePO4 battery installation for an automated guided vehicle.

AGV Battery Project Requirements

An AGV or AMR battery must supply the normal drive and control loads while supporting the higher current required during acceleration, lifting, turning and motor startup.

Before selecting the battery, confirm:

  • Vehicle system voltage
  • Required battery capacity and operating time
  • Average operating current
  • Acceleration, startup and lifting current
  • Peak-current duration
  • Drive-motor and auxiliary-motor power
  • Vehicle-controller voltage and current limits
  • Battery-compartment dimensions
  • Power and communication connectors
  • Charging-station voltage and current
  • CAN or RS485 communication protocol
  • Operating temperature and environmental conditions

Reference AGV Battery Specification

The following configuration is an engineering reference for a medium-size 48V warehouse AGV. It is not presented as measured data from the vehicle shown in the photographs.

Vehicle System Voltage 48V
Nominal Battery Voltage 51.2V
Rated Capacity 100Ah
Nominal Energy 5120Wh
Reference Average Current 25A planning value; replace with measured vehicle data
Discharge Current Limits 100A continuous, 200A for up to 2 minutes and 600A for 1 second
Maximum Continuous Output Approximately 5120W at 51.2V and 100A
Reference Drive Load Up to approximately 5kW, subject to controller current, startup load and duty-cycle validation
Reference Charger 58.4V 18A CC/CV LiFePO4 charger
Calculated Charging Time Approximately 5.6 hours from empty under ideal conditions
Reference Enclosure Dimensions Approximately 19.88 × 12.32 × 9.25 in for the referenced metal-enclosure configuration
Communication Options CAN or RS485 available when configured for the vehicle and charging-station protocol

Important: The 25A average current, 5kW drive load and calculated runtime are planning references. Confirm them with the AGV controller specification, current logs and vehicle testing before approving the production battery.

AGV Battery Runtime Estimate

AGV operating time is determined mainly by average current over a complete duty cycle rather than the short peak current used during acceleration or motor startup.

Estimated Runtime = Planning Battery Capacity ÷ Average Operating Current

If 80Ah is used as the planning capacity, equal to 80% of the rated 100Ah capacity, the calculated runtime is:

Average Operating Current Calculated Runtime
15A Approximately 5.3 hours
20A Approximately 4.0 hours
25A Approximately 3.2 hours
40A Approximately 2.0 hours

These figures are calculation examples rather than measured AGV results. Actual runtime depends on vehicle weight, acceleration, travel speed, route gradient, lifting cycles, idle time, motor efficiency, accessory loads, temperature and battery reserve.

Average Current and Startup Current

The battery should be selected from the complete vehicle-current profile rather than a single maximum-current value.

The current review should separate:

  • Average current over a complete operating cycle
  • Normal continuous driving current
  • Acceleration current
  • Motor startup current
  • Lifting or conveyor-motor current
  • Peak-current duration
  • Regenerative current where applicable
  • Idle current from controllers, sensors and computers

The reference configuration supports 100A continuously, up to 200A for two minutes and up to 600A for one second. The AGV controller and motor load must remain within these time-dependent limits.

A controller’s phase-current rating is not the same as the current drawn from the battery. Battery-current data should be obtained from the controller specification or measured during representative vehicle operation.

Charging Station Compatibility

The reference system uses a 58.4V 18A CC/CV charger. At an ideal constant output of 18A, charging a 100Ah battery from empty requires approximately 5.6 hours before allowing for charging losses, battery temperature and current tapering.

For an AGV charging station, confirm:

  • AC input voltage
  • Charger output voltage and current
  • CC/CV charging profile
  • Maximum permitted battery charging current
  • Charging-contact polarity
  • Power-connector current rating
  • Docking alignment and contact pressure
  • Charger-enable and interlock signals
  • CAN or RS485 charging communication
  • Emergency-stop and fault logic

A fixed 18A charger is suitable for overnight or scheduled charging. Opportunity-charging systems may require a higher charging current, but the cells, BMS, connector, cables and charging station must all be approved for that current.

CAN and RS485 Communication

CAN or RS485 communication can be configured to exchange battery status, charging limits and fault information with the AGV controller or charging station.

The communication specification should define:

  • CAN bus or RS485 physical interface
  • Communication baud rate
  • CAN identifiers or RS485 device address
  • Battery voltage, current and temperature messages
  • State-of-charge reporting
  • Charge and discharge current limits
  • Warning and fault codes
  • Heartbeat and communication timeout
  • Charger-enable and shutdown commands
  • Communication connector and pin assignment

CAN and RS485 are not universal plug-and-play protocols. The controller model, charger model, message definition, baud rate and connector pinout must be confirmed before sample production.

AGV LiFePO4 battery CAN and RS485 communication testing
BMS and communication testing for a custom AGV lithium battery.

View LiFePO4 Battery Technical Support →

Custom Battery Enclosure and Dimensions

The reference dimensions apply only to the specific metal-enclosure configuration used for preliminary planning. The final AGV battery enclosure must be developed around the actual vehicle compartment and mounting structure.

Mechanical information required before production includes:

  • Maximum battery length, width and height
  • Vehicle-compartment opening dimensions
  • Mounting-hole and bracket positions
  • Permitted battery weight
  • Main power-connector position
  • Charging-connector position
  • CAN or RS485 connector position
  • Cable exit direction and bend radius
  • Service and removal clearance
  • Vibration, impact and environmental requirements

A custom steel or engineered enclosure can be developed when a standard battery case does not fit the vehicle compartment, mounting points or connector layout.

Power Connectors and Wiring

The traction-power connector, charging connector and communication connector should be selected separately according to their electrical and mechanical requirements.

  • High-current polarized connector for traction power
  • Dedicated connector or charging contacts for the charging station
  • Separate CAN or RS485 communication connector
  • Correct cable cross-section for continuous and peak current
  • Fuse or circuit breaker close to the battery output
  • Secure cable clamps and strain relief
  • Connector interlock where required

Connector ratings must cover continuous current, short-duration current, mating cycles, vibration and the expected operating environment.

Sample Testing and Vehicle Validation

The reference values should be replaced with measured project data after the sample battery and AGV have been tested together.

Validation should include:

  • Battery capacity and stored-energy testing
  • Average current over a defined AGV route
  • Acceleration and motor startup current
  • Lifting or conveyor-load current where applicable
  • Continuous and short-duration BMS testing
  • One-second peak-current verification where required
  • Charging-station voltage and current
  • CAN or RS485 message verification
  • Communication-loss and fault-response testing
  • Connector and cable temperature
  • Battery temperature during representative operation
  • Measured operating time per charge
  • Enclosure, mounting and vibration inspection
  • Aging and final quality checks
Custom AGV LiFePO4 battery current communication and factory testing
AGV battery performance, BMS and communication testing before production.

OEM AGV and AMR Battery Manufacturing

We support AGV manufacturers, AMR developers, automation integrators and warehouse-equipment suppliers with custom LiFePO4 battery development and production.

OEM and private-label options include:

  • Custom battery voltage and capacity
  • Application-specific continuous and peak current
  • Custom steel or engineered enclosures
  • Smart BMS configuration
  • CAN and RS485 protocol development
  • Custom power and communication connectors
  • Charging-station integration
  • Custom cables and wiring harnesses
  • Product labels and packaging
  • Prototype development and vehicle validation
  • Volume production and quality inspection

View OEM & ODM Battery Services →

AGV and AMR Battery FAQ

What voltage is commonly used for an AGV battery?

AGVs can use 24V, 36V, 48V or other application-specific systems. This reference uses a 51.2V LiFePO4 battery for a 48V vehicle. The battery voltage must match the vehicle controller and charging station.

How is AGV battery capacity calculated?

Capacity is based on measured average operating current, required runtime, charging opportunities, battery reserve, temperature and available installation space.

How should AGV startup current be specified?

Record both the maximum current and its duration during acceleration, motor startup, lifting and other high-load operations. Both values must remain within the battery and BMS limits.

Can an AGV lead-acid battery be replaced with LiFePO4?

Yes, in many applications. The vehicle voltage, controller current, charger, connectors, battery dimensions, counterweight requirements and communication system must be reviewed before conversion.

Can the battery communicate with the AGV controller?

Selected BMS configurations support CAN or RS485 communication. The protocol, message format, baud rate, controller model and connector pinout must be confirmed before production.

Can the existing AGV charging station be retained?

It may be retained if its output voltage, current, charging profile, communication logic, contacts and safety controls are compatible with the approved LiFePO4 battery.

Can the battery enclosure and connectors be customized?

Yes. Enclosure dimensions, mounting points, power connectors, charging contacts, communication connectors and cable outlets can be developed for qualified OEM projects.

Discuss Your AGV or AMR Battery Project

Send us the vehicle voltage, required capacity, measured average and startup current, required runtime, battery-compartment dimensions, drive-motor power, controller model, charging-station specification, CAN or RS485 protocol and estimated order quantity.

Our engineering team will review the requirements and recommend a suitable AGV LiFePO4 battery configuration for sample development and vehicle testing.

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