LiFePO4 cells are sensitive to overcharging, they will typically stay well below 3.6 Volt during the charge (if not on a very high current) and only climb when really full, and climb rapidly; which does harm the battery.
It does not start wasting excess charge, it starts killing itself at about 4.0 Volt. Some say even at 3.85 Volt.
Other type of Lithium batteries do see the voltage rise gradually with the SOC.
LiFePO4 is the odd one out; it hugs 3.4 Volt throughout most of the range:
(Taken from
http://www.nature.com/nmat/journal/v.../nmat2730.html.)
Apparently even LiFePO4 has a small charge/discharge voltage gap; just a few % even on higher charges. But you can also see how stable the voltage is throughout the range. Ideal f.i. for a parallel pack to a hybrid battery. Now you know why I'm interested
)
If one cell is slightly fuller than the others, it is in danger of getting overcharged when it has reached 100% SOC.
14.5 Volt minus (3.4 times 3) makes 4.3 Volt and kills a cell. Better not risk that.
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