Lithium-ion is the most common type of rechargeable battery used for portable or remote electronic devices. Lithium-ion comes with many benefits for the user.
That’s why they are so popular compared to other types of batteries on the market today.
Whether it’s a laptop, a small power bank or something as big as Tesla’s new vehicle, all these devices are being powered by lithium-ion batteries.
The long lifespan is one of the many benefits of li-ion batteries. This article provides information on the typical lifespan of lithium-ion batteries.
The History Of Lithium-Ion Battery
Although G.N Lewis developed the idea of li-ion battery in the year of 1912, the project became feasible only in the 1970s.
The first non-rechargeable li-ion battery was put into commercial markets in the mid-1970s. Engineers tried to make the first rechargeable li-ion battery in the 1980s and were partially successful.
The team missed one important aspect of chargeable li-ion batteries because they failed to notice that li-ion batteries become unstable during the recharging process.
It would create a short inside the battery and increase the temperature during the process. An extreme example is where a li-ion battery used in a mobile phone exploded over the user’s face in Japan in 1991.
After this incident, engineers realised that li-ion batteries should be handled with extreme care.
After much research, Sony was able to introduce an advanced li-ion battery with new chemistry. This battery is being used up to the current day.
The Workings Of Li-Ion Battery
Lithium batteries use lithium ions to get the job done. Lithium has a high energy density though it’s a light metal. That’s why li-ion batteries provide high current with a small form factor although they are very light in weight.
The anode of the battery is carbon while the cathode is cobalt oxide. The electrolyte connecting the anode and cathode is a salt solution with lithium ions.
When the battery is being discharged, the positively charged lithium ions will move towards the cathode. The ions will bombard the cathode until it is positively charged.
When the cathode is positively charged, it will start to attract negatively charged electrons towards it. These electrons will move through the circuit and power it. The exact opposite happens while charging the battery.
The Lifespan Of Lithium-Ion Battery
The typical lifespan of lithium-ion battery is around 2-3 years or 300-500 charge cycles – whichever happens first. One charge cycle is calculated as the period of use from fully charged to discharged and fully recharged once again.
If the battery doesn’t run the complete charge cycle, you should rely on the 2-3 year lifespan of the battery.
Rechargeable li-ion batteries will gradually lose the capacity to hold a charge. Hence, they have a limited life after some time of use.
Maintenance Of Li-Ion Battery
It’s important to maintain li-ion batteries to prolong its lifespan. Make sure you routinely check the li-ion battery’s charge status.
Monitor the batteries that are approaching the end of their lifespan. When the battery is stored for long periods without being used, you should carefully follow the storage instructions provided by the manufacturer.
You should also follow the charging instructions provided by the manufacturer when charging the battery. These are important things to help maintain the li-ion battery and increase its lifespan.
Li-ion solar batteries are popular in Australia because of the many benefits provided by these batteries. Solar batteries are one of the best ways to have access to the power you need in a remote location.
Are you looking to go solar or utilise an off-grid battery system in your home?
At Choose Solar, we provide purpose-built mounting equipment for the solar power industry as well as high-quality solar batteries and inverters and are your number one choice in Melbourne.
For all your solar installation and solar power needs, please call us today on 03 9761 5371 or send us a message through our contact page.