Today’s rechargeable batteries are better than ever before. Nearly every gadget has one, and you rely on its power for daily tasks. Most devices depend on lithium-ion technology. How long do lithium batteries last? It’s time to take a look at this simple product that has complex, internal happenings.
Typical Range
According to Battery University, the everyday lithium ion battery should last between 300 and 500 charge/discharge cycles. If you charge a cellphone once a day, for example, the battery would last for more than a year in ideal conditions.
Most battery manufacturers reference lithium battery life as a function of charging patterns because it’s more accurate than an expiration date. The battery may have sat idle for a few months before being used for the first time. It may be stored and rarely used afterward. The charge and discharge pattern gives you a personalized view of how long a battery should last.
The Cycle Definition
An issue arises with lithium battery life expectancy when the term “cycle” isn’t clearly defined. Everyone charges their batteries at different times, such as:
- Every night
- As soon as the battery fails to power up entirely
- At the halfway point
A cycle is defined as the moment you attach a charger to the battery and let it power up the cells. Waiting longer time periods between charging sessions seems like a clever way to prolong a battery’s lifespan, but battery power doesn’t work in that manner.
Avoid Full Discharges
Whether you’re powering boating accessories or the common cellphone, avoid full discharges of your battery. The best way of protecting the energy density and longevity of the battery is by keeping it full. There’s excessive stress on a battery when it’s fully discharged on a regular basis. It’ll end up lasting for a shorter time period than it should.
Fighting the Memory Myth
Unlike other materials, lithium ion doesn’t have memory. You may have encountered concerns about lithium ion maintenance and creating a memory that’s short when based on charging patterns. These batteries respond well to partial discharges and topping off the charge whenever possible. These actions don’t reduce the lifespan at all. In fact, maintaining a relatively full charge is how the battery will last longer than before.
Go for Cool
The most influential way to increase lithium ion battery life is by keeping the product cool. Hot temperatures will break down the internal components on both physical and chemical levels. Keep the battery and its device out of direct sunlight while storing them in cool, dry areas otherwise. It’s natural for the battery to warm up while in use, but it’s excessive heat that’s the real enemy.
Use Stamped Dates as Guides
A helpful way to estimate the average lithium ion battery life is by focusing on the stamped date. Most battery manufacturers add dates to their products as a way to guide your purchasing habits. A date farther out into the future has a longer lifespan than an older battery, for example. Remember that these dates aren’t concrete representations of actual life. Under ideal conditions, they can last up to and past these dates at times.
Don’t Make the Charger the Enemy
In the early days of chargers and rechargeable batteries, paying careful attention to the charge time was how battery lifespans were protected. Today’s technology, however, takes the effort out of charging.
How long do lithium batteries last? Their lifespans aren’t impacted by sitting on the charger for too long. It simply cuts off power to the battery whenever it’s time to do so. If there’s any concern over battery lifespans, only the heat brought on by charging the battery might be the culprit, reports Popular Mechanics.
Speak with the professionals at Northeast Battery today! They can break down the science behind lithium ion maintenance and beyond. Take control of your power needs so that every device is ready to go whenever necessary.