2025-04-18
In the process of extending the life of lithium batteries, it is especially important to understand their working principle and main influencing factors. The working principle of lithium battery is that during the charging and discharging process, lithium ions move back and forth between the positive and negative electrodes of the battery, storing and releasing energy through chemical reactions. However, each charge/discharge cycle of the battery will cause tiny losses to the internal electrode materials, and in the long run, the capacity of the battery will gradually decline, which will eventually lead to a shortened battery life. Therefore, the selection of A-grade cells is a key factor affecting the life of lithium batteries.
The optimal charge range for lithium batteries is usually between 20% and 80%. Long-term over-charging or over-discharging will accelerate the aging of lithium batteries. Most smart devices on the market today have a built-in battery management system (BMS) with overcharging protection, but the battery will still lose capacity due to maintaining a high level of charge for a long period of time.
Rapid charging is a major feature of lithium batteries, which is convenient, but the principle is to shorten the charging time by increasing the current, and this high-current charging generates a lot of heat, which accelerates the aging of the battery. Therefore, try to reduce the frequency of rapid charging when it is not urgent.
▊ See also: Fast Charging Solutions
Keeping a battery in a fully charged state for a long period of time subjects it to a constant high voltage, which can damage the chemical structure of the battery and easily lead to a loss of capacity. Conversely, storing the battery in a low state of charge for a long period of time may cause the battery to enter a state of deep discharge, which in severe cases may prevent the battery from being recharged again and may result in irreversible loss of capacity. Therefore, it is best to keep the battery at about 50% when the device is not in use.
Lithium batteries do not need to be subjected to a full-charge-discharge cycle, which will instead accelerate their aging. It is recommended to charge the battery when the power drops to about 20% to 30%, keeping the battery between 40% and 80% can slow down the aging of the battery. Also, try to avoid overcharging and over-discharging, which can cause permanent damage to lithium batteries. If lithium battery devices are not used for a long period of time, they should be stored at 40%~60% charge state, and checked and replenished regularly.
Temperature is a key factor affecting the life of lithium batteries. High temperature environment will accelerate the internal chemical reaction of the battery, which will lead to the decomposition of electrolyte, deterioration of electrode materials, and ultimately cause a rapid decline in capacity. Under extreme low temperature environment, the internal resistance of lithium battery will increase significantly, affecting the discharge performance. In order to prolong battery life, exposure to extreme temperatures should be avoided as much as possible.
Power lithium batteries are best suited to work at room temperature, i.e. between -10°C and 35°C. Excessively high or low temperatures will affect the chemical reaction and physical changes of lithium batteries, leading to capacity loss or safety hazards. Therefore, when using and storing lithium batteries, you should try to avoid extreme environments such as high temperature, high humidity, sunlight exposure, and low temperature freezing. Of course, some devices need to work in special scenarios (e.g. -20℃-55℃), so it is essential to have powerful and efficient high and low temperature management functions.
Li-ion batteries are usually equipped with a Battery Management System (BMS), which can monitor the battery's voltage, temperature, current and other parameters in real time to help users better manage the battery and prolong its life.The BMS prevents over-charging, over-discharging, and over-heating to prolong the battery's life.
Regularly check the BMS status: Check the temperature, power and other information of the battery through the in-vehicle system or battery management APP to avoid bad charging and discharging operations.
Make full use of the protection function of BMS: BMS can automatically disconnect the power supply when the battery is overheated, overcooled, overcharged or overdischarged, users should trust and make use of this protection mechanism.
Pay attention to battery health status alerts: Many BMS systems provide an analysis report of battery health status. When the system suggests that the battery's health status is declining, it is possible to consider adjusting the usage strategy or carrying out professional maintenance.
The service life of Li-ion battery is affected by various factors such as charging/discharging mode, temperature environment and core material. By reasonably controlling the charging range, reducing the impact of high temperature environment and avoiding frequent rapid charging, we can significantly extend the life of lithium battery. Lithium battery is an efficient energy storage device, but it also needs reasonable use and maintenance. Only by adhering to good usage habits in our daily lives can we give our devices a longer battery life and longevity.
