Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries have significantly different maintenance requirements due to their distinct chemistries and behaviors.
Maintenance Requirements for Lithium-Ion Batteries
- Storage State of Charge (SoC): Li-ion batteries should ideally be stored at around 50% charge to minimize capacity loss and maintain battery health. Storing fully charged or fully discharged Li-ion batteries for long periods can cause permanent capacity loss. They should be recharged to about 50% SoC at least once every 6 to 12 months if unused.
- Avoid Full Discharge and Overcharge: Regularly discharging Li-ion batteries fully or keeping them at 100% charge for extended durations stresses the battery chemistry and shortens life. Optimal maintenance involves keeping them between roughly 20% and 80% charge to reduce wear.
- Recharge Cycles: Li-ion batteries have a finite number of charge cycles (usually 300 to 500 full cycles over 2-3 years, or thousands of partial cycles) after which capacity diminishes irreversibly. Monitoring runtime compared to when new helps gauge battery health.
- Temperature Control: Lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to temperature extremes. They should be stored and used within moderate temperature ranges (5 °C to 20 °C for storage) to avoid accelerated aging and capacity loss.
- Self-Discharge: Li-ion batteries self-discharge slowly but steadily and need routine charge checks during storage. Features like Bluetooth modules can increase self-discharge due to parasitic draws.
- Corrosion Prevention: Store in cool, dry environments, seal terminals with protectants, and keep terminals clean to minimize corrosion on connections.
- Handling Precautions: Do not crush, puncture, or expose to high temperatures (above 60 °C), and avoid short circuits or disassembling the battery.
Maintenance Requirements for Nickel-Cadmium Batteries (Compared)
- Memory Effect Management: Ni-Cd batteries suffer from a “memory effect,” meaning partial charges and discharges can reduce total capacity. They require periodic full discharge cycles (“conditioning”) to avoid this problem, which lithium-ion batteries generally do not.
- Storage State of Charge: Ni-Cd batteries should be stored fully charged to avoid sulfation (lead sulfate crystal buildup), which reduces capacity. This is opposite to Li-ion batteries which should be stored at partial charge (around 50%).
- Self-Discharge: Ni-Cd batteries have a higher self-discharge rate than Li-ion and thus may require more frequent charging during storage to prevent capacity loss.
- Charging: Ni-Cd batteries can tolerate full discharge and quick recharging better but need proper management to avoid damaging overcharging or heat buildup.
- Cycle Life: Ni-Cd batteries typically have fewer charge cycles than lithium-ion but can better tolerate deep discharge without damage.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Lithium-Ion Battery | Nickel-Cadmium Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Storage SoC | ~50% recommended for storage | Fully charged recommended |
| Discharge Management | Avoid full discharge; keep between 20-80% charge | Require periodic full discharge to prevent memory effect |
| Self-Discharge Rate | Low; check charge every 6-12 months | High; needs frequent recharging during storage |
| Cycle Life | 300-500 full cycles; longer with partial cycles | Generally fewer cycles, more tolerant to full discharge |
| Temperature Sensitivity | High; store 5-20 °C, avoid extremes | More robust but affected by overcharging heat |
| Corrosion | Requires sealed, clean terminals and dry storage | Terminal maintenance less critical but still beneficial |
| Charging | Use approved chargers, avoid overcharge/fast charge | Can tolerate faster charging, but overcharge risks exist |
In summary, lithium-ion batteries require more careful charge management, temperature control, and partial charge storage, whereas nickel-cadmium batteries need periodic full discharge cycles to prevent memory effect and must be stored fully charged to prevent sulfation. Lithium-ion batteries benefit from longer life and less frequent maintenance if properly managed, but their chemistry is more sensitive to misuse than Ni-Cd batteries.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-maintenance-requirements-for-lithium-ion-batteries-compared-to-nickel-cadmium-batteries/
