How to care for lithium batteries

How do you maintain a lithium ion battery?

Storing batteries in cool, shaded areas and avoiding high charge levels can help maintain their performance. Regular maintenance checks, such as cleaning battery terminals, are also recommended. How does time affect the aging of lithium-ion batteries?

How to maximize lithium-ion battery lifetime?

Here are some general guidelines from the U-M researchers to maximize lithium-ion battery lifetime, along with a few specific recommendations from manufacturers: Avoid temperature extremes, both high and low, when using or storing lithium-ion batteries.

How to store a lithium battery?

When it comes to storing lithium batteries, taking the right precautions is crucial to maintain their performance and prolong their lifespan. One important consideration is the storage state of charge. It is recommended to store lithium batteries at around 50% state of charge to prevent capacity loss over time.

How often should you drain a lithium battery?

Allow your battery to go down to 5% once every 30 days. While it’s usually best to avoid running down a lithium battery, nearly draining it once a month may help extend its life. This helps maintain the life cycle length of your battery. Monitor your battery to make sure it doesn’t go down below about 5%.

What temperature should a lithium battery be kept away from?

Keep your battery or device away from temperatures above 25 °C (77 °F). When lithium batteries get hot, they naturally start to lose power and become less efficient. Do your best to keep your batteries away from heat sources, and never leave them in a hot area. This will prolong the battery life and keep your battery charged for longer.

What should you avoid when storing a lithium ion battery?

Avoid temperature extremes, both high and low, when using or storing lithium-ion batteries. Elevated temperatures can accelerate degradation of almost every battery component and can lead to significant safety risks, including fire or explosion. If a laptop or cellphone is noticeably hot while it’s charging, unplug it.