What is the correct way to use lithium batteries?

Lithium batteries are being used more and more widely because they have many advantages. First, the energy of this type of battery is very high. Even a small battery can store a lot of energy. Secondly, lithium batteries have a long service life. Some batteries can be used for more than six years. In addition, lithium batteries are very light and small in size. So how to use lithium batteries correctly?

First, the correct way to charge lithium batteries:

Lithium is chemically very active and can easily burn. When the battery is discharged or charged, the temperature inside the battery will continue to rise, the gas produced during the activation process will expand, and the internal pressure of the battery will increase. When the pressure reaches a certain level, if the outer shell is scratched, it will rupture, causing leakage, fire, or even explosion.

1. Charging:

The safe operating voltage range of lithium batteries is 2.8~4.2V. Below or above this voltage range, the lithium ions in the battery become very unstable and may even cause accidents. To ensure that the battery is within a safe range, a special charger is required. These chargers automatically adjust the charging method based on the current state of the battery.

2. Activation:

Before the charger starts charging, it supplies a small current to the battery, detects changes in battery voltage at the same time, and gradually increases the current until it reaches the set value. This process can be considered an activation or test charge.

3. Constant current variable voltage charging:

The charger charges the battery at a constant current. As the battery voltage increases, the charger simultaneously increases the charging voltage to speed up the charging process.

4. Variable current constant voltage charging:

When the battery reaches the 4.2V cut-off voltage, the battery is only about 70% charged (not full). At this time, the charger continues to charge the battery at a constant voltage and a gradually decreasing current. Charging will not stop until the value is less than 0.1A and the battery voltage continues to rise.

Second, the storage voltage of the model lithium battery

Model lithium batteries are generally lithium polymer batteries, and their minimum safe operating voltage is 3.6V. However, in order to ensure that the battery will not be damaged due to excessive discharge, the minimum operating voltage is generally 3.7V. The maximum charge cut-off voltage is 4.2V. When the voltage is highest, the battery energy storage is at its peak. If the high voltage is maintained for a long time without use, the gas produced by the reaction will be generated in the lithium battery monomer and begin to gather. Over time, the lithium battery will swell up, commonly known as a "big belly". To avoid this situation, the storage voltage of model lithium batteries is generally controlled at 3.7~3.8V.

Third, lithium battery storage conditions

The most critical storage conditions for model lithium batteries are temperature and humidity. Generally, room temperature has little effect on the state of lithium batteries, but they cannot be exposed to direct sunlight. High temperature can easily cause model lithium batteries to swell or explode, so model lithium batteries are generally stored in light-proof and airtight iron boxes or plastic boxes. If the discharge performance of a single model lithium battery is very good, you also need to buy a model lithium battery explosion-proof protective bag. This reinforced bag has a reinforced net inside to prevent high-energy model lithium batteries from causing harm to other items when leaking or exploding.