To get the best gadgetry experiences, you ought to follow lithium-ion battery charging tips if your device uses this type of battery. The tips include keeping the charge level around the central range, avoiding intense temperature, evading fast charge, overcharge, full-cycle charge/discharge, and so on.
Lithium-ion Battery Charging Tips
Lithium-ion batteries are largely used in portable electronics such as phones, laptops, gaming devices, and also electric rechargeable vehicles. If handled and charged properly, a lithium-ion battery can last much longer and work better.
However, intentionally or not, we all make mistakes while charging the battery. From this section, you will learn what things you should do or avoid for the best lithium-ion battery experience. You can also watch this video to know more about charging a lithium-ion battery.
Extreme Temperatures
Out of all the problems, the main issue that leads a lithium-ion battery to damage is the heating problem. The heating of the battery wears it out faster since high temperature works as a stimulus for the chemical reaction inside the lithium-ion cell. It messes up the charging capacity and shortens the cell lifetime.
Any means that is responsible for warming up the battery is a threat to be eliminated, such as charging your phone on the bed can generate more heat and harm the battery. Not only the higher temperature but also extreme cold and damp conditions can temper the regulation of the lithium-ion cell badly.
Charge Limit Voltage
If you don’t want to replace the battery often, make sure to keep the cell charge percentage within its standard range. For the lithium-ion cell, the ideal charge level is around 50%. This is why many manufacturers recommend keeping the charge near the middle portion by charging it from time to time, even if you don’t use it.
For the longest life, the lithium-ion cell needs to be kept around 65% to 75% charge, but it’s not practical enough for our daily lives. The next better range is 45% to 75%, which is easy to accomplish through a normal daily routine.
But you need to keep in mind that, your battery charge shouldn’t get lowered than 25% or more than 85%. Specifically, if you plug in the battery at 0% and charge till it reaches 100%, it wears out the cell. To be more precise, overcharging after 100% level causes the most damage by heating and messing with the chemicals.
High Discharge/Charge Rate
High discharge or charge rate influences the lithium-ion battery as they have connections to heating and charge limit voltage. For this reason, both the discharge and charge rate of the battery should be as low as possible.
A high discharge of the battery will happen when force the device to do more things at once or keep using when the is any hindrance. Doing this will stress out the battery and it will start to heat up. If you are using a lithium-ion cell phone, manage the apps and light in a way that the device consumes less power.
If the charging rate is too high, it can also raise the battery temperature while reaching 100% and keep overcharging. It will tire out the lithium-ion cell fastly.
Charge Cycle
You may think that longer charge cycles are better for the battery, but the truth is quite opposite. Since the ideal percentage for a lithium-ion battery to be in the range of 45% to 75%, small charge cycles are superior to large cycles where the lower and higher percentages of the battery are outside of the ideal range.
To achieve better results with a small charge cycle, you need to recharge the lithium-ion cell multiple times a day whenever is possible, even if it is for a few minutes. It will make sure the charge stays within the ideal range.
Charging Point
The charging point of the lithium-ion cell is where it connects with the charger. If the charger isn’t connected properly, it will affect the charging rate or won’t charge at all. Sometimes dust particles gather up around the charging point which can act as a hindrance and slows down the charging or heat the battery.
Charger
Chargers play a substantial role in securely charging your lithium-ion batteries. Battery and charger of same brand and model are more compatible and safer. If you use a fake charger, it is more likely to damage the battery or reduce charge capacity in the long run. So, try to use a charger from the same manufacturer.
How Do I Keep My Battery 100% Healthy?
To keep your lithium-ion battery fully healthy, you should follow some simples steps, such as keeping the batteries at room temperature, allowing partial and multiple charges, avoiding full charge or discharge, using slow charge methods, not using the device while plugged in, etc.
If your device is a phone or laptop, you should manage the apps that consume more power, keep the brightness in check and turn off location or shearing services when you are not using them. It will reduce stress on the battery.
What Are The Disadvantages of Lithium-ion Batteries
Despite being so popular and widely used in different types of devices, lithium-ion batteries have some major drawbacks. Even though a lithium-ion cell is relatively expensive than other types of batteries, it lasts only 2/3 years after manufacturing.
When the lithium-ion battery shows 0% charge, it doesn’t mean that it is completely discharged. But if you completely discharge the battery, you can no longer be able to recharge it again. Also, this battery is sensitive to high temperatures and losses its capacity in warm weather or heated conditions.
Lithium-ion batteries are also ill for the environment. Lithium extraction from the cell damages the soil and also causes air contamination which is bad for our health.
How Do You Dispose of a Swollen Lithium-ion Battery
No matter if your lithium-ion battery is swollen, damaged, used, or completely new, it should only be disposed of via authorized recycling centers. Because it is a hazardous material, don’t just throw it away in the dustbin.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is solar charging good for lithium-ion batteries?
Solar charging slowly charges your battery to prevent the lithium-ion cell from overcharging or inside the ideal charge range. It may take a lot of time, but it still is a good choice for keeping the battery safe and sound.
- Should I use my device while the battery is charging?
A lithium-ion cell is a combustible item. If you charge the battery for a longer time or use it while charging, the chemical reaction inside the battery will overheat the cell. Overheating not only wears out the battery but also can lead to severe damage if there is any defect in the cell. So, avoid using the device while plugged in.
Parting Words
Lithium-ion battery charging tips are not too difficult to follow, but sometimes you may not be able to pursue them thoroughly. No need to get worried if you break the tips once in a while. If you are in an emergency, you can charge fast or reach the 100% level. Occasionally doing them won’t be a huge threat to the battery after all.
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