Rechargeable lithium battery: review, description, types, manufacturers and reviews

The lithium battery is a safe and energy-intensive device. Its main advantage is work without charging for a long time. It can function even at the lowest temperatures. Because of its ability to conserve energy, the lithium battery outperforms other species. That is why every year their production increases. They can be of two forms: cylindrical and prismatic.

Application

They are widely used in computer technology, mobile phones and other equipment. Lithium battery chargers have a working voltage of 4 V. The most important advantage is the operation at a wide temperature range that is in the range from -20 ° C to +60 ° C. To date, there are batteries that can function at temperatures below -30 ° C. Every year, developers are trying to increase both the positive and negative temperature range.

At first, the lithium battery loses about 5% of its capacity, and with each month this figure increases. This indicator is better than other representatives of batteries. Depending on the charging voltage, they can last from 500 to 1000 cycles.

Types of Lithium Batteries

There are such types of lithium batteries that are found in different spheres of domestic and industrial economy:

• Lithium-ion - for main or backup power supply, transport, power tools;
• Nickel-salt - road and rail transport;
• Nickel-cadmium - shipbuilding and aircraft construction;
• Iron-nickel - power supply;
• Nickel-hydrogen - space;
• Nickel-zinc - cameras;
• Silver-zinc - military industry, etc.

The main type are lithium-ion batteries. They are used in the fields of electricity, power tools, telephones, etc. Batteries can operate at temperatures from -20 ºС to +40 ºС, but are being developed to increase these ranges. At a voltage of only 4 V, a sufficient amount of specific heat is released.

They are subdivided into different subtypes, which differ in the composition of the cathode. It is changed by replacing graphite or adding special substances to it.

Lithium batteries: device

As a rule, such devices are produced in prismatic form, but there are also models in a cylindrical body. The inner part consists of electrodes or separators. Steel or aluminum is used for making the case. Contacts are output to the battery cover, and they must be isolated. Accumulators, lithium batteries of prismatic type contain a certain number of plates. They are stacked on top of each other. To ensure additional safety, the lithium battery has a special device. It is inside and serves to control the work process. In the event of dangerous situations, the device disconnects the battery. In addition, the equipment is provided with external protection. The housing is absolutely sealed, so there is no leakage of the electrolyte, as well as water ingress. The electric charge appears due to lithium ions, which interact with the crystal lattice of other elements.

Screwdriver with lithium battery

It can be installed three types of batteries, which differ in their cathodic composition:

• Cobalt-lithium;
• Lithium-ferrophosphate;
• Lithium-manganese.

A screwdriver with a lithium battery differs from other types of batteries by a low level of self-discharge. Another important advantage is that it does not require maintenance. If a lithium battery is damaged, it can be discarded, since it does not harm people and the environment. The only drawback is the low charging of lithium batteries, as well as the high safety requirements. It is difficult to perform its charging at negative temperatures.

Main characteristics

It is from the technical characteristics depends on the work of the screwdriver, the state of its power, the time of possible functioning. Other technical indicators include:

• The voltage of one battery in the device can be in the range from 3 to 5 V;
• The maximum energy intensity indicator reaches 400 Wh / l;
• Loss of own charge by 5%, and over time by 20%;
• Complex charging mode;
• Full charge of the battery takes 2 hours;
• Resistance from 5 to 15 mOhm / Ah;
• Number of cycles - 1000 times;
• Service life - from 3 to 5 years;
• The use of different types of current for certain capacities of the battery, for example, a capacity of 65 ° C - a direct current is used.

Production

Most manufacturers are trying to make electrical tools more sophisticated and in line with modern technology. To do this, it is necessary to provide good accumulators in the design. The most popular manufacturers are:

1. Firm Bosh. The lithium battery is manufactured using the new ECP technology. It is she who controls the discharge of the device. Another of its useful properties is protection against overheating. At high power, a special device lowers the temperature. The design of the battery provides holes that serve as ventilation and cool the battery. Another technology - Charge, due to which charging occurs much faster. In addition, Bosh produces batteries for various electrical tools. Many users leave good reviews about this company.
2. Company Makita. It produces its own microcircuits, which control all operating parameters and processes in the battery, for example, temperature, charge content. Due to this, you can choose the charging mode and the time it takes. Such chips increase the service life. Batteries are manufactured with a sufficiently powerful casing, so they are not subjected to mechanical influences.
3. Company Hitachi. Thanks to its latest technology, the weight and overall dimensions of the battery are reduced. That is why the electric tool becomes easy and mobile.

Features of operation

When using the battery, you must follow these rules:

1. Do not need to use a lithium battery for individual unprotected items, and buy cheap Chinese parts. Such a device will not be safe, as there will be no system that protects against short circuits and high temperatures. That is, if the battery is overheated, the battery may explode, and its service life will be much less.
2. Do not heat the battery. As the temperature inside the device rises, the pressure increases. These actions will lead to an explosion. Therefore, you do not need to open the top battery cover and place it in places exposed to sunlight. Such actions will shorten the lifespan.
3. Do not bring additional sources of electricity to the contacts at the top of the cover, as a short circuit may occur . Built-in protection systems do not always help in this matter.
4. Charge the battery in accordance with all regulations. When charging, you should use such chargers that distribute the current evenly.
5. The charging procedure is carried out at a positive temperature.
6. If you need to connect several lithium batteries, then you need to use models of the same manufacturer, and similar in technical specifications.
7. Keep the lithium batteries in a dry place, which is not exposed to sunlight with a temperature of more than 5 ºC. When the equipment is exposed to high temperatures, the charge will decrease. Before storage in the winter, the battery is charged at 50% of its capacity. It should be ensured that the battery is not completely discharged. If this happens, urgently charge it. If there are mechanical damages on the body, as well as signs of rust, the appliance should not be used.
8. If a significant overheating of the battery occurs during operation, the appearance of smoke, then immediately stop using it. After that, move the damaged device to a safe place. If a substance is released from the body, it must not be allowed to enter the skin or other organs.
9. Do not dispose of or incinerate lithium batteries. Their disposal occurs with mechanical damage to the hull, explosions or ingress of water or steam.

About fire

If the lithium battery is ignited, it can not be extinguished with water and a fire extinguisher - carbon dioxide and water can react with lithium. To extinguish it, powder fire extinguishers, sand, salt, and also with the help of dense tissue should be used.

Charging process

A lithium battery, the charger from which is connected to a direct current, is charged at a voltage of 5 V and above. In this case, there is a minus - they are unstable to recharge. Increasing the temperature inside the enclosure leads to damage. A special level is indicated in the instruction manual. When it is reached, it should be charged. If you increase the voltage when charging the properties of the lithium battery will significantly decrease.

As stated earlier, the battery life is 3 years. To maintain this period, you must adhere to the conditions of use, charging and storage. In addition, they must constantly function, and not be stored.

Overcharge

In the design of the battery, a recharge system is provided, so the charger can not be disconnected and not be afraid that the composition inside will boil, as happens with car batteries. If the equipment is stored for more than one month, it must be completely discharged. This will significantly extend the service life.

Cost

The price of a lithium-ion battery depends on the capacity and technical specifications. On average, it varies from 100 to 500 rubles. Despite this cost, many users leave positive feedback. Among the positive sides, a large range of operating temperatures, high power and ability to work for more than 1000 cycles (about 3 years of heavy use) are singled out. Devices are widely used in various fields, so each person can appreciate their benefits.

So, we found out what the lithium batteries are.