We often heard some bad news about lithium-ion batteries, such as fire, and explosion hazards, which caused many people to be afraid to use these “terrible” batteries. If the consumers use it correctly and keep it in the right lithium battery storage conditions, will obtain a good performance lithium-ion battery.
Batteries are a critical component of light electric vehicles. Not only do they provide power to the bike, but they also play a key role in safety.
In this blog post, we will discuss how to store your batteries properly so that they last as long as possible. We’ll also give you some tips on how to extend the life of your lithium-ion batteries!
Lithium battery explanation
Li-ion technology offers a variety of benefits over lead-acid batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are the most common battery type found in light electric vehicles. They are rechargeable batteries that use lithium ions to create electricity.
These batteries are lightweight and have a high energy density, which means they can store a lot of energy in a small space. This makes them ideal for use in light electric vehicles. However, they are also the most expensive type of battery.
There are two main types of lithium-ion batteries: cylindrical and prismatic. Cylindrical lithium-ion batteries are the most common type found in light electric vehicles.
In our Tritek company cylindrical lithium-ion batteries typically come in 18650 or 21700 sizes, where 18 refers to the diameter and 65 refers to the height in millimeters.
Li-ion batteries work by moving lithium ions from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge. This creates an electric current that can be used to power a motor. During charging, the process is reversed and the lithium ions move back to the negative electrode.
The lifetime of a li-ion battery is typically between 500 to 1000 life cycles. A charge cycle is defined as a complete discharge followed by a complete charge. After a certain number of cycles, the battery will start to lose capacity and will no longer be able to hold as much energy.
How to store your li-ion batteries for optimal life?
The battery works by using a chemical reaction to create energy. This energy is used to power the electric motor on the vehicle. When you store the battery, you are essentially slowing down this reaction. This can cause problems with how the battery works and can lead to decreased performance over time.
Just like with any other type of battery, proper maintenance and care are required for lithium-ion batteries in order to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
If lithium batteries are stored properly, they can last for several years. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid any situations that could damage the cells.
What are the correct Lithium-ion battery storage conditions?
- State of the storage battery
- Environmental conditions
- Do not damage the battery
- No overheating
- Keep the lithium battery dry
- Protection from lithium battery short circuits
- Regularly recharging
State of the storage battery
When the batteries are not to be used for a long time, please store them safely so that they will stay in a half-charged state, that is to say, keep in the state of charge (SOC) 50-60%.
Please wrap the batteries with non-conductive materials so that metallic materials will not contact the batteries directly, which may result in damage to the batteries.
Environmental conditions
If possible, store the battery in a temperature-controlled environment. This will help keep the battery from discharging too quickly.
Store your batteries in a cool, dry place. Avoid exposing them to extreme cold. Extreme temperatures can damage the battery cells and shorten their overall life. This will help reduce the rate of self-discharge.
Please remember about the lithium-ion battery storage temperature. A normal environment for batteries:
- charge temperature is 0℃~45℃
- discharge temperature -20℃~60℃ and the
- the relative humidity is 65% ± 20%
Do not damage the battery
The battery should not be damaged using methods like knocking metallic things into the battery, hammering the battery, knocking it violent, etc. Otherwise, the battery may heat, smoke, deform or burn and even dangers may happen sometimes.
Keep the terminals clean and free of corrosion. Use a soft cloth dipped in water and vinegar to clean them off every now and then.
When not in use, remove the battery from the bike.
No overheating
Do not store the lithium batteries near a fire source, a furnace, or in an environment in which the ambient temperature exceeds 80 ℃. The excessively high temperature will cause a short circuit to occur within the battery, which will cause the lithium battery to heat, smoke, deform or burn.
Keep the lithium battery dry
Do not moisten the battery and throw the battery into water is even more prohibited. Otherwise, the inner protective circuit within and the protective function of the battery may be lost and abnormal chemical reactions may occur, and as a consequence, the battery may heat, smoke, deform or burn. (if no IP67 or other protection）
Protection from lithium-ion battery short circuits
In no circumstance should the positive and negative poles of the battery be short-circuited. Do not disassemble or assemble the batteries yourself and do not place the batteries in a damp place to avoid danger.
Regularly recharging
Charge the lithium battery every 3 months (keep SOC over 50%) at shelf time. Avoid leaving your battery fully discharged for long periods of time. It’s best to keep it at least 30% charged.
However, do not charge or discharge your battery more than necessary. Try to keep the number of full charges and discharges at a minimum.
Factors that can affect how long your lithium batteries will last
- The type of cell: Lithium-ion batteries come in a variety of chemistries, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
- The quality of the cell: Not all lithium-ion batteries are created equal. There can be a significant difference in quality between different manufacturers. Some brands use lower-quality materials that degrade faster than others.
- The way you use your battery: If you frequently discharge your battery all the way to empty, it will shorten its lifespan. It’s better to keep the charge between 20% and 80%.
- The temperature: Batteries work best when they are kept between 20 and 35 degrees Celsius. If they are exposed to higher or lower temperatures, it will affect their lifespan.
- The age of the battery: As batteries get older, they lose capacity and power. This is due to the natural degradation of the cells over time.
How to use a battery after the storage
When you’re ready to use the battery again, be sure to charge it fully before using it. Batteries that are only partially charged may not work properly and could even damage your light electric vehicle.
So now you know how long your battery will last – but what about its performance? Will stored batteries still hold their charge and provide the same level of power as when they were new?
All batteries lose some of their capacity over time, even if they’re not being used. This loss of capacity is called calendar life or battery aging. The rate at which this happens varies depending on the type of battery, but it’s an inevitable part of a battery’s life cycle. If the battery is properly stored, the capacity loss will be negligible.
Store your battery in a cool, dry place, keep it charged at least 30% and maintain a suitable temperature between 20 to 35 degrees Celsius. You can also use a battery storage case or bag to help keep it insulated.
So, there you have it: everything you need to know about lithium battery storage. With a little care and attention, you can battery life and battery performance.
Now, do you understand how to store your lithium-ion batteries? Did these tips allay your concerns about lithium-ion batteries? If you want to get further lithium-ion batteries, please feel free to contact us. We will happy to tell you what we know!
Tritek manufacturer is committed to providing the most professional lev battery solutions. We are dedicated to turning customers’ ideas into perfect products. For more information on batteries be sure to contact us. Let Tritek help you achieve business success. Thank you for reading!
