Things to Know About Charging Lithium Batteries

Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries, commonly referred to as lithium ion polymer (LiPo) batteries, are non-aqueous electrolyte batteries that use lithium as the negative electrode. Due to continuous improvements, LiPo batteries have quickly become the primary power source for a wide range of applications and fields. LiPo batteries are low-maintenance, highly efficient and long-lasting.

Choose A Suitable Lithium Battery For Your Application

Tips for Lithium Battery Charging

• Know the battery language. Knowing how batteries work will help you optimize how you charge and discharge them to get the most out of your rechargeable battery

• Respect the CCCV charging process, especially in float mode. Rechargeable batteries need to follow a specific charging process, usually handled by a well-chosen charger.

• Design your BMS carefully. Especially when using multi-cell battery packs.

• Reduce the charging C-rate. At low charging speed, the ions will be inserted into the electrodes smoothly, thus prolonging the service life of the battery.

• Control charging temperature. Batteries perform best when charged at ambient temperature. High or low temperatures can cause premature battery aging.

What is the Charge Cycle?

A charge cycle is the complete charging and discharging of a rechargeable battery. The standard technique for measuring the charge cycle of a rechargeable battery is the number of charge cycles the battery can withstand before its performance drops.
The frequency of charge cycles, voltage and battery life (milliamp hours) are all basic performance indicators for rechargeable batteries. A charge cycle may be from full charge to discharge, or successive partial discharges adding up to the capacity of the battery.

What is Deep Charging and Shallow Charging?

Lithium batteries benefit more from shallow discharge. Deep charging is only required when the device's power module is calibrated for lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion powered gadgets are therefore not limited by the process: they can be charged at any time without affecting battery life.
Shallow cycle charging is designed to allow the battery to provide a short burst of energy and not be used for long periods of time before it is fully charged. Deep cycling ensures that your battery will last a long time by reaching well below 50% discharge before it needs to be recharged.

It is important to remember that shallow cycle batteries are averse to long term depletion. If you want to take care of your shallow cycle battery (and thus extend its life), install a discharge control circuit that will shut down the battery when it is depleted to about 50% and recharge it as soon as possible. If it is not clear, having a smart charge/discharge monitor is critical to maintaining the health of your deep cycle or shallow cycle battery.

Avoid Overcharging

When a battery is charged to a higher voltage than required, this is called overcharging. It is not recommended to provide continuous voltage to a battery once it is fully charged, as it accelerates irreversible capacity loss and may lead to internal metal plating. This can lead to internal short circuits, causing the battery to overheat and become unstable.

Conclusion for Tips for Lithium Batteries Charging

Lithium-ion batteries have made significant advances over earlier battery types. Lithium-ion batteries charge faster, last longer, and offer higher power density than conventional batteries, resulting in longer battery life in a compact package. It is not uncommon for lithium-ion batteries to last up to 500 charge/discharge cycles. When you know what they can do, you can make them work better for you.

While not all lithium batteries are created equal, they all require regular maintenance to reach maximum capacity. This requires an understanding of their unique maintenance needs. If you regulate storage temperatures, keep your batteries dry and make sure they are properly charged, you will always have reliable batteries. 

SUNPRO BATTERIES CO., LTD mainly supplies lithium batteries with high safety performance, long cycle life and high efficiency. If you want to know more tips for Lithium battery charging or information about lithium batteries, please contact us, we will provide professional answers.