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How to Charge and When to Charge
Date: 2014-11-10 16:01:37Downloads: 1782
Batteries have unique needs and Table 1 explains how to satisfy these desires based of common batteries. Because of similarities within the battery family, we only list lead, nickel and lithium systems. Although each chemistry has its own requirements, there are common denominators that affect the life of all batteries. These are:
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Keep a moderate temperature. As food stays fresher when refrigerated, so also does cool temperature retard battery corrosion, a life-robbing adversary of any battery.
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Control discharge. Each cycle wears the battery down by a small amount. A partial discharge before charge is better than a full discharge. Apply a deliberate full discharge only to calibrate a smart battery and to prevent “memory” on a nickel-based pack.
- Avoid abuse. Like a machine that is exposed to strenuous work, a battery wears down more quickly if discharged harshly and if force-charged with high currents. Strenuous demands cannot always be prevented, but the user has the choice of selecting the right battery size, keeping the temperature moderate and following life-extending service guidelines.
Batteries for the electric powertrain have changed the philosophy of battery manufacturers from designing packs for maximum energy density, as demanded by the consumer market, to focusing on optimal safety and longevity. Batteries on the road are exposed to extreme environmental hazards; they must perform at maximum duty under severe heat, cold, shock and vibration. Storing energy of several kilowatts, batteries for the electric powertrain can be dangerous if stressed beyond normal conditions. Furthermore, vehicular batteries are expensive and must last for the life of the car.
Pampering a battery to achieve an extended service life, as is sometimes possible with a laptop or cell phone pack, is more difficult with a large battery in a vehicle that must deliver high load currents on command and is exposed to freezing temperatures in the winter and blistering summer conditions. The user has limited control as to the care and attention of the battery. This task is passed over to an intelligent battery management system (BMS), which takes over the command and does the supervising. The BMS assumes the duty of a lead commander who must make sure that the troops in a large army are well organized and that all soldiers are marching in the same direction.
While a battery in a portable device can have its own personality and occasionally slack off, this liberty does not exist in a large battery system where all members must be of equal strength. Managing fading and failing cells as the battery ages is a complex issue that the BMS must address effectively. Monitoring and eventual replacing the cells or battery groups is far more complex than getting a new pack for a portable device when the old one becomes a nuisance.
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Lead acid |
Nickel-based |
Lithium-ion |
How should I prepare a new battery? |
Battery comes fully charged. Apply topping charge |
Charge 14–16h. Priming may be needed |
Apply a topping before use. No priming needed |
Can I damage |
Yes, do not store partially charged, keep fully charged |
Battery is robust and the performance will improve with use |
Keep some charge. Low charge can turn off protection circuit |
Do I need to apply a full charge? |
Yes, partial charge causes sulfation, |
Partial charge is fine |
Partial charge better than a full charge |
Can I disrupt a charge cycle? |
Yes, partial charge causes no harm |
Interruptions can cause heat buildup |
Partial charge |
Should I use up |
No, deep discharge wears battery down. Charge more often |
Apply scheduled discharges only to prevent memory |
Deep discharge wears the battery down |
Do I have to worry about “memory”? |
No, there is no memory |
Discharge NiCd every 1–3 months |
No memory |
How do I calibrate a “smart” battery? |
Not applicable |
Apply discharge/charge when the fuel gauge gets inaccurate. Repeat every 1–3 months |
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Can I charge with the device on? |
Some UPS systems simultaneous charge and deliver current. |
It's best to turn the device off during charge; parasitic load can alter full-charge detection and overcharge battery or cause mini-cycles |
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Must I remove the battery when full? |
Depends on charger; needs correct float V |
Remove after a few days in charger |
Not necessary; charger turns off |
How do I store |
Keep cells above 2.10V, charge |
Store in cool place; |
Store in cool place partially charged, do not fully drain |
Is the battery allowed to heat up during charge? |
Battery may get lukewarm towards the end of charge |
Battery gets warm but must cool down on ready |
Battery may get lukewarm towards the end of charge |
How do I charge when cold? |
Slow charge (0.1): 0–45°C (32–113°F) |
Do not charge |
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Can I charge at hot temperatures? |
Above 25°C, lower threshold by 3mV/°C |
Battery will not fully charge when hot |
Do not charge |
What should I know about chargers? |
Charger should float at 2.25–2.30V/cell when ready |
Battery should not get too hot; should include temp sensor |
Battery must stay cool; no trickle charge when ready |
Table 1: Best charging methods. Strenuous demands cannot always be prevented.