do and dont with batteries

7/30/2019 Do and Dont With Batteries

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Summary of Dos and Donts

Table 1 provides suggestions on how to extend battery life by following simple

guidelines. Because of similarities within systems, the chemistries are limited to

lead, nickel and lithium.

Table 1: Dos and donts summary how to use, maintain and dispose of batteries.

Battery care

Lead acid: Flooded, sealed, AGM

Nickel-based:

NiCd, NiMH

Lithium-ion: Cobalt, manganese, phosphate

Best way

to charge

Apply a saturated charge to prevent sulfation; can stay on charge with correct float

charge.

Avoid getting battery too hot on charge. Do not leave battery in charger for more

than a few days (memory!).

Partial and random charge is fine; does not need full charge; lower voltage limit

preferred; keep battery cool.

Charge methods

Constant voltage to 2.402.45/cell, float

at 2.252.30V/cell; battery stays cool; no fast charge possible.

Charge = 14h


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Constant current, trickle charge at 0.05C, fast charge preferred.

Slow charge = 14h

Rapid charge = 3h

Fast charge = 1h

Constant voltage to 4.20V/cell; no trickle charge; battery can

stay in charger

Rapid charge = 3h

Fast charge = 1h

Discharge

Do not cycle starter batteries; avoid full discharges; always charge after use.

Do not over-discharge under heavy load; cell reversal causes short. Avoid full

discharges.

Prevent full cycles, apply some charge after a full discharge to keep the protection

circuit alive.

How to prolong battery

Limit deep cycling, apply topping charge every 6 months while in storage to

prevent sulfation, keep cells at or above 2.10V

Do not keep battery in charger for more than a few days, discharge to 1V/cell every

13 months to prevent memory (NiCd)

Keep cool, battery lasts longest when operating in mid state-of-charge of 2080%.Prevent ultra-fast charging and high loads.

Storage


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Do not store below 2.10V/cell; keep fully charged if possible

Store in cool place; NiCd stores for 5 years; prime before use

Store at 40% charge in cool place (40% SoC reads 3.753.80V/cell)

Disposal

Do not dispose. Lead is a toxic metal

NiCd: Do not dispose.

NiMH: Can be disposed in low volume

Can be disposed of in low volume


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Summary of Dos and Donts

Table 1 provides suggestions on how to extend battery life by following simple

guidelines. Because of similarities within systems, the chemistries are limited to

lead, nickel and lithium.

Table 1: Dos and donts summary how to use, maintain and dispose of batteries.

Battery care

Lead acid: Flooded, sealed, AGM

Nickel-based:

NiCd, NiMH

Lithium-ion: Cobalt, manganese, phosphate

Best way

to charge

Apply a saturated charge to prevent sulfation; can stay on charge with correct float

charge.

Avoid getting battery too hot on charge. Do not leave battery in charger for more

than a few days (memory!).

Partial and random charge is fine; does not need full charge; lower voltage limitpreferred; keep battery cool.

Charge methods


6/10

Constant voltage to 2.402.45/cell, float

at 2.252.30V/cell; battery stays cool; no fast charge possible.

Charge = 14h

Constant current, trickle charge at 0.05C, fast charge preferred.

Slow charge = 14h

Rapid charge = 3h

Fast charge = 1h

Constant voltage to 4.20V/cell; no trickle charge; battery can

stay in charger

Rapid charge = 3h

Fast charge = 1h

Discharge

Do not cycle starter batteries; avoid full discharges; always charge after use.

Do not over-discharge under heavy load; cell reversal causes short. Avoid full

discharges.

Prevent full cycles, apply some charge after a full discharge to keep the protection

circuit alive.

How to prolong battery

Limit deep cycling, apply topping charge every 6 months while in storage to

prevent sulfation, keep cells at or above 2.10V

Do not keep battery in charger for more than a few days, discharge to 1V/cell every

13 months to prevent memory (NiCd)


7/10

Keep cool, battery lasts longest when operating in mid state-of-charge of 2080%.

Prevent ultra-fast charging and high loads.

Storage

Do not store below 2.10V/cell; keep fully charged if possible

Store in cool place; NiCd stores for 5 years; prime before use

Store at 40% charge in cool place (40% SoC reads 3.753.80V/cell)

Disposal

Do not dispose. Lead is a toxic metal

NiCd: Do not dispose.

NiMH: Can be disposed in low volume

Can be disposed of in low volume


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do and dont with batteries

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