Lithium batteries - specification and application

Lithium batteries are environmentally safe, energy-intensive, can work long without recharging, are in working condition at low temperatures. Since they are quite energy-intensive, and this distinguishes them from other similar devices, their production is constantly increasing. They are available in a cylindrical and prismatic shape. They are used in laptops, cell phones and other portable devices. Their operating voltage is about four volts. Operate in the temperature range from -20 to + 60 ° C. Already there are such lithium batteries that can work at a temperature of -40 ° C. Also, work is underway to expand the plus temperature range. Their self-discharge in the first month of work is 4-6%, then this figure decreases, and for a year they lose up to twenty percent of capacity. These characteristics are much better than those of the nickel-cadmium version. They can last from 500 to 1000 cycles, but their number depends on the value of the limiting charging voltage.

Lithium AA batteries are used for any equipment that has a special socket for AA batteries. There are lithium-polymer and lithium-ion batteries. The first are more safe, have small dimensions and can be of any shape, since they do not have a liquid electrolyte in their composition. The case for them is made of metallized polymer. And now most representatives of these batteries are selling this particular direction with helium electrolyte. The disadvantage is the sensitivity to recharging, since with increasing discharge current the operating voltage decreases. Keep this device at room temperature, with full charge and you need to recharge once a year. Because if you do not do this, then there may be a re-discharge. The loss of storage capacity occurs due to the reaction of the electrolyte with the electrodes. During a few months of storage, the battery voltage can be significantly reduced, as a result the charger can not charge it.

Charging

Lithium batteries are charged first at a constant current of up to 4.2 V, and then at a constant voltage. They have low resistance to over-discharge. In this case, the temperature inside the case rises. And it can depressurize. Therefore, they should be charged to the level recommended by the operating manual. It is very harmful to increase the voltage when charging, so you can significantly reduce the resource of the device.

Rules of work

Lithium batteries have a service life of 2-3 years. And it does not depend on how intensively they were exploited. They should not be stored anywhere for long, but are meant for permanent work.

They have special protection against overdischarge and deep discharge, so they can be in the charger and in the powered equipment any time.

If the battery is to be stored for 1 month, then it must be fully charged. The storage temperature should be between + 5 ° C and + 20 ° C. If it is stored in a discharged state, then in two months it will completely fail.

The device is best not to be at a temperature below -10 ° C, since this will greatly shorten the operating time of the apparatus operating from it. At temperatures below + 5 ° C, it can not be fully charged. And at a temperature above +40 ° the battery is very quickly discharged.