If you are using lithium batteries, you will know that lithium batteries have a lot of advantages, then you know that lithium batteries charge four times faster than traditional lead-acid batteries? But how do you charge lithium batteries at such a fast rate? In this article, we will explore with you how to charge lithium batteries.

1. How to charge lithium batteries?

There are many ways to charge lithium batteries, we will first introduce four conventional charging methods, including constant current charging, constant voltage charging, stage charging and intermittent charging.

1.1 Constant-current charging:

In the process of constant-current charging, it is generally necessary to ensure that the current at both ends of the lithium battery is constant by adjusting the output voltage of the power supply connected to the lithium battery or changes in resistance. The advantage of this method is that the control is simple, applicable to lithium series connection of battery charging. The disadvantage is that the acceptable charging capacity of the lithium battery may gradually decrease with the charging, and the high current in the late charging period may lead to air bubbles inside the lithium battery.

1.2 Constant voltage charging:

Constant voltage charging is to keep the voltage constant during the charging process of lithium batteries, and the size of the charging current changes with the state of charge of the lithium battery. The charging process of constant voltage charging is closer to the optimal charging curve, the control is simple, and the cost of this charging method is lower. However, the time required for constant voltage charging may be longer, and the charging current will be too large at the beginning of charging, which may affect the service life of lithium battery.

1.3 Constant voltage and constant current charging:

Before charging the lithium battery will detect the voltage of the lithium battery, if the voltage of the lithium battery is lower than 2.5V, it will charge the lithium battery with a small current, so that its voltage rises slowly. When the voltage of the lithium battery reaches 2.5V, then the lithium battery will be charged with a large current. When the lithium battery charging reaches 85%, the battery mode becomes constant voltage charging to ensure that the lithium battery can be full. This charging method effectively avoids the problem of excessive current at the beginning of constant voltage charging, but it can not eliminate the polarization phenomenon of lithium batteries, which will affect the charging effect.

1.4 Intermittent charging:

It is mainly a cross-current charging into a voltage-limited variable current intermittent charging, first of all, with a larger degree of current lithium battery to achieve rapid charging, when the lithium battery voltage reaches the cut-off voltage to stop charging, so that the lithium battery voltage drops dramatically, stopping a period of time after the stop, and then continue to use a small current to continue charging so that the lithium battery voltage again reaches the cut-off voltage to stop charging, and has been back and forth to change the size of the current to control the charging until the lithium battery is full. Charging until the lithium battery is full. This charging method speeds up the charging process, but this charging method of the line is more complex, the cost will be higher, generally in the probability of fast charging is considered.

2. Notes on charging lithium batteries

Timely heat dissipation:

Rechargeable lithium batteries, lithium battery heating is a normal phenomenon, when the lithium battery is charging, the temperature is too high when you have to take timely cooling measures. And do not place other things near the lithium battery is not lithium battery, so that the normal heat dissipation of lithium batteries.

Do not overcharge and overdischarge:

As lithium batteries are non-memory batteries, as long as there is a substantial overcharge or overdischarge will lead to a decline in the performance of lithium batteries, and low voltage overdischarge or overcharge will lead to lithium salts to reach the active substance decomposition and destruction. Try to shallow charging and discharging, in order to extend the service life of lithium battery.

Idle for a long time to maintain part of the power:

If your lithium battery to a long time not to use, lithium battery power to maintain at about 50%, and to the lithium battery regular testing and micro-charging.

Avoid physical impact:

The internal structure of lithium batteries is more complex, if there is a strong physical impact may lead to electrode or spacer damage, and may also cause serious safety problems.

3. Can I use an ordinary charger to charge lithium batteries?

Generally speaking, the voltage levels of lithium batteries and ordinary batteries are not the same, and there are many types of lithium batteries, the battery parameters may be different. Therefore, lithium batteries are not like lead-acid batteries that can be generalized charger, each lithium battery will be configured with the appropriate charger when it leaves the factory, ordinary chargers are unable to provide the required voltage and current for lithium batteries. If you want to keep the performance and service life of your lithium batteries in a better range, it is better to use a charger specially designed for charging lithium batteries.

Conclusion:

There are 4 common charging methods for lithium batteries, they all have their own advantages, you have to choose the charging method according to your actual situation, and there are some precautions when charging lithium batteries. You must follow the above content correctly for lithium battery charging, in order to extend the service life of lithium battery.