The Lithium-ion Battery as used in Digital Cameras, the iPod and Notebook
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are now used in many consumer goods such as the iPod, MP3 player, laptop (notebook), digital camera and cordless workshop tool.
I was contemplating buying some spare Li-ion batteries for my digital camera and had located some on eBay. The price was right, however, I got to thinking about whether Li-Ion batteries have a shelf-life. I checked out Wikipedia's entry for the Lithium-ion Battery and was very surprised.
Here is an extract from the Wikipedia entry:
At a 100% charge level, a typical Li-ion laptop battery that's full most of the time at 25 degrees Celsius, will irreversibly lose approximately 20% capacity per year. This capacity loss begins from the time it was manufactured, and occurs even when the battery is unused. Different storage temperatures produce different loss results:
Every deep discharge cycle decreases its capacity, and the degradation is sloped such that 100 cycles leave the battery with about 75% to 85% of the original. When used in laptop computers or cellular phones, this rate of deterioration means that after three to five years the battery will have capacities that are too low to be usable.
A word of caution:
Lithium-ion batteries can easily rupture, ignite, or explode when exposed to high temperatures or direct sunlight. Never store them inside of a car during hot weather. Short-circuiting a Li-ion battery can also cause it to ignite or explode. Never open a Li-ion battery's casing. Li-ion batteries contain safety devices that, if damaged, can cause the battery to ignite or explode.
Looks like I need a re-think my purchase and storage strategies.
What I get out of all this is:
1. Check the date of manufacture before purchase.
2. Store batteries in the fridge when not in use.
3. Before refrigeration, use until charge falls below 40%.
4. Allow them to reach room temperature before recharging.
5. NEVER leave batteries, cameras or an iPod in a hot car.
6. DO NOT experiment with blowing-up a Li-Ion battery.
All this might seem like common sense, however, one's common sense is another's ignorance.
Further Reading
Battery University’s How To Prolong Lithium-Based Batteries
Apple’s Lithium-ion Batteries
I was contemplating buying some spare Li-ion batteries for my digital camera and had located some on eBay. The price was right, however, I got to thinking about whether Li-Ion batteries have a shelf-life. I checked out Wikipedia's entry for the Lithium-ion Battery and was very surprised.
Here is an extract from the Wikipedia entry:
At a 100% charge level, a typical Li-ion laptop battery that's full most of the time at 25 degrees Celsius, will irreversibly lose approximately 20% capacity per year. This capacity loss begins from the time it was manufactured, and occurs even when the battery is unused. Different storage temperatures produce different loss results:
Every deep discharge cycle decreases its capacity, and the degradation is sloped such that 100 cycles leave the battery with about 75% to 85% of the original. When used in laptop computers or cellular phones, this rate of deterioration means that after three to five years the battery will have capacities that are too low to be usable.
A word of caution:
Lithium-ion batteries can easily rupture, ignite, or explode when exposed to high temperatures or direct sunlight. Never store them inside of a car during hot weather. Short-circuiting a Li-ion battery can also cause it to ignite or explode. Never open a Li-ion battery's casing. Li-ion batteries contain safety devices that, if damaged, can cause the battery to ignite or explode.
Looks like I need a re-think my purchase and storage strategies.
What I get out of all this is:
1. Check the date of manufacture before purchase.
2. Store batteries in the fridge when not in use.
3. Before refrigeration, use until charge falls below 40%.
4. Allow them to reach room temperature before recharging.
5. NEVER leave batteries, cameras or an iPod in a hot car.
6. DO NOT experiment with blowing-up a Li-Ion battery.
All this might seem like common sense, however, one's common sense is another's ignorance.
Further Reading
Battery University’s How To Prolong Lithium-Based Batteries
Apple’s Lithium-ion Batteries
posted by BlueRock | 7:54 am
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