Lithium batteries are environmentally friendly, energy-intensive, can work for a long time without recharging, and are in working order at low temperatures. Since they are quite energy intensive, and this distinguishes them favorably from other similar devices, their production is constantly increasing. They are available in cylindrical and prismatic shapes.
They are used in laptops, cell phones and other portable devices. Their operating voltage is about four volts. They work in the temperature range from -20 to +60°C. There are already such lithium batteries that can operate at a temperature of -40 ° C. Work is also underway to expand the positive temperature range. Their self-discharge in the first month of operation is 4-6%, then this figure decreases, and in a year they lose up to twenty percent of their capacity. These characteristics are much better than the nickel-cadmium version. They can last from 500 to 1000 cycles, but their number depends on the value of the limiting charging voltage.
AA format lithium batteries are used for any equipment that has a special slot for AA batteries. There are lithium polymer and lithium ionaccumulators. The former are safer, have small dimensions and can be of any shape, since they do not contain a liquid electrolyte. The body for them is made of metallized polymer. And now most of the representatives of these batteries are on sale in this particular direction with helium electrolyte. The disadvantage is the sensitivity to overcharging, since with an increase in the discharge current, the operating voltage decreases. Store this device at room temperature, fully charged and recharge once a year. Because if this is not done, then overdischarge may occur. Loss of capacity during storage occurs due to the reaction of the electrolyte with the electrodes. After a few months of storage, the battery voltage may decrease significantly, as a result, the charger will not be able to charge it.
Charging
Lithium batteries are charged first at a constant current to a voltage of 4.2 V, and then at a constant voltage. They have low resistance to overdischarge. This increases the temperature inside the case. And it can be depressurized. Therefore, they must be charged to the level recommended by the instruction manual. It is very harmful to increase the voltage when charging, so you can significantly reduce the life of the device.
Operating rules
Lithium batteries have a lifespan of 2-3 years. And this does not depend on how intensively they were exploited. They should not be stored somewhere for a long time, but are intended for permanent work.
They have special protection against overdischarge and deep discharge, so they can be in the charger and appliances at any time.
If the battery is to be stored for 1 month, it must be fully charged. The storage temperature should be between +5°C and +20°C. If you store it in a discharged state, then in two months it will completely fail.
It is better not to keep the device at temperatures below -10°C, as this will greatly reduce the operating time of the device powered by it. At temperatures below +5°C, it will not be able to fully charge. And at temperatures above +40 °, the battery is discharged very quickly.
