Lithium Ion Battery

Lithium Ion Battery are used to cordlessly operate machines such as irons and vacuum cleaners, power electric Lithium Ion Battery vehicles and for storing energy generated by solar panels at home. They have a non-aqueous electrolyte consisting of a lithium salt in an organic solvent such as ethylene or propylene carbonate.

They are commonly available in standard alkaline battery sizes and specialized shapes for specific equipment. They are very maintenance free and require no cycling.

Chargers

In order for lithium batteries to work safely, they must be charged with the right chargers. These chargers must be able to recognize when the battery is fully charged and shut off. This is because lithium batteries are sensitive to overcharging, which not only causes them to overheat but can cause them to combust or explode.

To prevent overcharging, the battery must be properly maintained by undergoing full cycle charging and discharging, as well as a topping charge during long-term storage. Lithium ion batteries do not need to be float or trickle charged like lead acid batteries. This is because they do not lose their charge when not in use, but instead remain at a stable state of charge, only discharging very slowly over time.

The best way to do this is by utilizing a charger that provides a constant voltage charging profile and allows the battery to reach its set voltage threshold and current saturation point unhindered. It also must be capable of reducing the charger’s output voltage to safe levels if it overheats, which is why most of these chargers incorporate electronic temperature control.

During charging, li-ions move from the bulk of the positive electrode Lithium Ion Battery (LiCoO2) into the electrolyte. They then diffuse through the separator into the interface between the electrolyte and negative electrode composed of graphite. Once they get close to the negative electrode, they intercalate in the spaces in the graphite lattice (LiC). If the charging speed is too high, these ions cannot find the space to enter the negative electrode grid and will begin to form an aggregate on the negative surface. This accumulation is known as dendrites and can eventually pierce the diaphragm between the positive and negative electrodes, causing a short circuit.

When a battery is correctly charged, it will exhibit a steady current that drops to around 3 percent of the rated amperage when reaching its saturation point. As a result, the charger must be capable of detecting this stage and shutting off. The charging process should also be slow enough to ensure that the battery does not overheat or damage internal components. This is achieved through the use of an active cooling fan. A good charger will also monitor the battery’s internal resistance to detect any abnormalities. If it does, the charger will reduce its output to safe levels until the internal resistance returns to normal. This will help to protect the battery from premature failure and extend its lifespan. This type of intelligent charger is known as a Constant Current/Constant Voltage charger. It is one of the most popular types of chargers for lithium batteries. Its high efficiency means that it will be able to charge a battery in half the time as a standard linear charger, while still maintaining its safety features. This is due to the fact that it utilizes a switch-mode power supply with built in overtemperature protection and other electronics to control its current output. As such, it is considered a safe and reliable charger for lithium ion batteries.