Exploring The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Lithium-ion Batteries

So! What’s The Big Buzz about the Beneficial Use of Lithium-Ion Batteries?

Since lithium-ion batteries came to be, it has created a big buzz in its consumer and application market.

These specific types of rechargeable batteries are quickly becoming a standard mode of securing power in numerous regularly used items, namely smart devices, laptops, mobility equipment, power tools, and vehicles.

With the evolution of technology, everyone’s prime focus is big data, speed, and mobility. And in keeping all this in mind, the demand and reliance on portable sources of power like lithium-ion batteries are most certainly on the ascend.

Furthermore, their lack of maintenance and superior long life span makes lithium-ion batteries a worthwhile investment.

(LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES ARE THE REAL-DEAL…!)

And right here in this post, we will discuss its benefits to explain why they are often the first choice for so many consumers and high-end machinery manufacturers.

SO, CONTINUE READING…!

AN IN-DEPTH COVERAGE ON THE WIDE-RANGING ADVANTAGES OF USING LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

SAFE TO SAY –

For every consumer, the correct facts always matter. And when checking out the potential uses of lithium-ion batteries, users must be clear about its practical advantages and disadvantages before making any final decision.

Lithium-ion batteries indeed tend to present some impressive advantages over other available forms of recharging batteries. But it is also true that just like every other piece of technology, they too come with their fair share of limitations.

As a potential user- in order to gain the best use of lithium-ion batteries, it is crucial to properly comprehend not just its likable points but also its potential limitations. That way, these lithium-ion recharging batteries can be utilized in a way that meets different specific requirements easily and appreciatively without any possible complications or consequences!

So, Without Wasting Time, Let’s Cut To The Chase, Shall We!

Take a Look at Some Useful Advantages of Lithium Ion Recharging Batteries

• “LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES DELIVERS 10 TIMES LONGER LIFESPAN THAN OTHER LEAD-ACID RECHARGING BATTERIES…”

That’s right! Most top manufacturers strive to make their lithium-ion recharging batteries the ultimate power source for electronic appliances, smart devices, and other industrial machinery.

• Lithium-ion batteries of some of the best brands in the market offer up to 10-times longer lifespan in comparison to any lead-acid recharging batteries.
• Ideally, most top-quality lithium batteries can last roughly five years (even more), depending on the intensity and volume of use. In comparison to this, a lead-acid battery only lasts two years (which isn’t even half of what lithium batteries last)
  
• Lithium batteries can deliver 80% of the appraised capacity even after 2,000 cycles.
• What’s more, quality lithium batteries don’t require any active maintenance. A single time purchase assures its estimated longevity. In contrast to this, lead-acid batteries require constant upkeep and often need water replacements to prevent structural damage.
  

MOREOVER…!

In case of older recharging batteries like Nickel-metal hydride or Nickel- Cadmium batteries, they often suffer from memory effect- also commonly referred to as ‘The Lazy Battery Effect.’

Now, if these batteries continuously and partially keep discharging before being appropriately recharged, they would only provide the necessary volume of energy, which was used up at the time of partial discharging prior to its drop of voltage. To prevent this, both battery variants – NiMH and NiCd will require proper maintenance through properly discharging and recharging.

As opposed to this phenomenon, lithium-ion batteries don’t get plagued by such ‘The Lazy Battery Effect.’ When used, they will always deliver their every last existing ounce of power. Plus, you always have the option of recharging them whenever you have consumed a portion of its voltage capacity, be it 25%, 55%, or even 100%!

In that sense, you don’t have to mull over any pesky maintenances at all!

• “LITHIUM BATTERIES CHARGE FAST… REDUCES DOWNTIME…& ITS HIGH RATE OF DISCHARGE RESULTS IN AN APPRECIATIVE BURST OF POWER…”

Many consumers and machinery manufacturers believe lithium batteries will be the future technology for meeting different power demands. It is one trend which has already begun to make its mark in its respective market. And with time, its popularity and manufacturing volume will only increase.

(Besides The Reasons mentioned above)

• Lithium-ion batteries can also charge very quickly, thus making it suitable for all varieties of applications.
• With quick charging, they reduce unnecessary downtime. Plus, lithium batteries deliver a high rate of discharge with the perfect burst of power.
• Lead-acid batteries require charging in different stages over a long time span. This makes them inefficient and less versatile, especially at high discharge periods. In contrast to them, lithium-ion batteries remain efficient even during those highly stressful scenarios. And au contraire to lead-acid battery temperature fluxes and depletion of energy, lithium batteries rarely affect delivering power.
  

Also…!

The phenomenon of self-discharge is irreversible and natural for most batteries. The chemical reactions existing inside the battery lessens its overall capacity despite the specific battery not put to any use. Nickel-based recharging batteries tend to lose roughly 10-15% of its overall power capacity after being charged. And this 10-15% of self-discharge remains constant for each month too!

But, lithium-ion batteries are different to most recharging batteries around. The rate of self-discharge in them only spikes about 5% inside the first 24-hours. Mind you; this is after charging the lithium-ion battery. Then it tapers down to only 1-2% discharge per month.

Perhaps that’s what makes lithium-ion recharging batteries a more rational option to meet the different application demands even in extreme conditions.

• “LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES DELIVER EQUAL OR MORE ENERGY IN LESS THAN HALF THE SIZE & WEIGHT OF OTHER BATTERIES…”

Wonders never cease when it comes to the supremacy of lithium-ion batteries than other existing battery chemistries.

When comparing it with typical lead-acid batteries or other rechargeable batteries in the market, it is found that lithium-ion batteries deliver more energy in less than half their size and weight. Moreover, they also offer impressive flexibility in application and straightforward installations.

(Further Explaining…)

Most lithium-ion recharging batteries consist of electrodes. They are lightweight, thus accounting for smaller, more compact, and way lighter usable batteries than their existing counterparts like lead-acid recharging batteries.

Just for Comparison –

Typically a 51Ah (ampere-hour) lithium-ion battery is similar in weight to a 24Ah lead acid recharging the battery (which weighs around 6-7 kgs).

However, the former provides twofold the power capability in comparison to the latter.

For this reason, many applicants think of using lithium-ion recharging batteries for their head torches as it helps boost the light-emitting capacity and runtime without putting on any additional battery weight.

All this makes lithium-ion batteries the reigning lightweight champion of all recharging batteries in its existing market.

• “EACH LITHIUM-ION CELL IS KNOWN TO CHURN OUT ROUGHLY 3.6 VOLTS…”

Another fascinating aspect of lithium-ion recharging batteries is their impressive cell voltage production.

DID YOU KNOW…!

Each lithium-ion cell of a lithium-ion battery can churn out roughly 3.6 Volts. And due to this, it has an unmatched advantage over other options in the market.

• Its cell voltage is more than the standard nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride.
• Furthermore, a lithium-ion cell’s cell voltage production is even more than traditional alkaline cells – measuring up at around 1.5 Volts and lead-acid, which can churn about 2 Volts with each cell.
  

So, as you can make out, each lithium-ion cell’s cell voltage reading is much higher. Due to this, it requires fewer voltage cells for its different applications.

Believe It Or Not, But a Single Lithium Ion Cell Is All That’s Required to Charge up Smart Devices! And Lesser Use Of Voltage Cells Even Streamlines The Management Of Power!

• “LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES FEATURE LOWER LEVELS OF HEAVY METAL TOXIC COMPONENTS THAN OTHER EXISTING VARIANTS OF RECHARGING BATTERIES…”

Another point worth mentioning about lithium-ion rechargeable batteries’ adequacy is that it features lower levels of toxic heavy metals. This makes them somewhat indifferent to the high levels of toxic metals present in other variants of recharging batteries, namely NiCd – Nickel Cadmium and lead-acid batteries!

While it is true that lead, cadmium, and mercury have been the prominent stalwarts in the battery manufacturing industry for numerous years, however, its prolonged exposure to and improper disposal of its existing toxic metal components have made them somewhat unsafe for all plants, animals, and humans!

In Comparison to These Options mentioned above…

Lithium-ion batteries are much safer alternatives. That said, once they go out of commission, they still require to be adequately recycled.

One must avoid (for any battery) dumping them into the regular bin and the rest of the garbage. So, make sure to keep this in mind whenever tossing them away once they have fulfilled its usefulness!

That Surely Makes Lithium-Ion Batteries A More Eco-Friendly Recharging Option In Contrast To The Other Batteries Available In The Respective Market!

(DIGGING FURTHER…) About Some More Irrefutable Benefits Of Lithium-ion Batteries…Crucial Considerations… & Discussing about Its Few Insightful Disadvantages!

SO, CONTINUING FROM THE TOP…

Here Is a Table Which Points Out Some More Advantages of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-Ion Batteries Need No Priming	Some variants of recharging batteries require their cells to be primed whenever they get their initial charge. “But in contrast, lithium-ion batteries need no such priming. They are usually supplied as optimally operational and ready for immediate use/application.”
Lithium-Ion Battery Application Account For Safer Facilities	Often, with lead-acid or other variants of recharging batteries, there are always potential risks of accidents and indoor air quality degradation. Moreover, perils caused by exposure to flammable fuel and battery acid are also distinct when working with other rechargeable batteries. “In contrast, to the application risks and its potentially dire consequences, lithium-ion battery technology is way safer for use/application. They don’t pose any risks of such dire consequences, resulting in risk-free applications and safer working facilities. In fact, with the use of lithium-ion batteries, one can enjoy much quieter operations with its low dBa sound levels!”
Lithium-Ion Batteries Are Available In A  Variety Of Types	You will come across a wide variety of lithium-ion cell recharging batteries readily available for procurement in the market. And considering some of the irrefutable benefits you have read in the above section, there’s no element of a surprise why. “Lithium-ion batteries come off as the appropriate power providing technology capable of meeting a wide range of applications. You may even come across a specific type/brand of lithium-ion recharging batteries with varying capabilities to deliver an impressively high density of current. Numerous consumers aptly use those that deliver high current density levels to power up their hand-held and portable smart devices and electronic equipment. Whereas, those lithium batteries which with the ability to churn much higher levels of current density prove appropriate for other high-end electrical vehicles and power tools.”

(LET’S SHIFT OVER…)

Some Crucial Considerations for You to Keep In Mind

After comprehensively explaining the many (…many) irrefutable benefits of using lithium-ion batteries, it is time to discuss some guidelines and considerations relating to lithium-ion batteries’ selection and use.

There are a few crucial aspects to bear in mind for any consumer thinking of shifting to lithium-ion batteries instead of the other options around.

They Include As Follows –

• Thinking of proper ways to store and preserve your lithium-ion recharging battery units- especially during winters or when they are not frequently used

(Worth Mentioning – It is best if you store your lithium-ion batteries in a cold place. Noteworthy manufacturers recommend keeping lithium-ion batteries in a spot with storage temperature being around 15°C. In their viewpoint, doing so will slow down the battery’s aging of lithium-ion its other existing chemistries.

Also, manufacturers suggest partially charging the battery before storage. The appropriate level of charge before storing them away should be between 40% -50%)

• Take time to consider the affordable price-range when thinking about investing your hard-earned cash in purchasing lithium-ion batteries for your equipment/device/appliance application!

(For Your Information – Lithium-ion batteries are often expensive in comparison to the other available recharging batteries. However, the LTV – Life-Time Value of lithium-ion batteries far offsets any other variant of rechargeable batteries. And due to its LTV versatility and usefulness, it easily outweighs its higher price and proves to be a better alternative to other options!)

• When deciding to shift to lithium-ion batteries, one needs to take time and pick the right brand or manufacturer. As you well know, not all brands are alike and at par in their product quality.
  

(You Need To Have The Presence Of Mind – To compare between brands by checking its price, market stature, offered lithium battery variation, and what its customers felt after using their produced batteries.)

(LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST…) A Discussion on Some of Its Insightful Disadvantages!

“The first and foremost thing to remember is that – There Is No Such Thing as Absolutes! Nothing is ever all good/ advantageous! This applies to every aspect- be it of life or modern-day technology.”

Take lithium-ion batteries, for instance, despite its awe-compelling advantages; they too come with a few disadvantages!

But from the consumers’ point of view, knowing about its disadvantages (along with its favorable points) isn’t a bad thing, at all! If anything, it helps them realistically determine the real potential of lithium-ion batteries – both individually as well when compared with the rest of the available options.

ON THAT NOTE… Let’s Take a Look at Some of Its Existing Disadvantages –

Lithium-Ion Batteries Need Proper Protection	As lithium-ion recharging batteries are not as robust as the other available options, they require proper protection from being excessively charged or discharged. Furthermore, they also need to incorporate a protection circuitry to ensure they are stored inside safe operating limits.
Lithium-Ion Batteries For Consumer Electronics Suffer From Ageing Problems	Even lithium-ion batteries will age (eventually) if they are not used for a long time. Such occurrences usually happen during winters. That said, one can look after them by charging them up at least 40-50% before storing them at a proper spot with a temperature being 15°C.
Lithium-Ion Batteries Cost Almost 40% More Than Nickel Cadmium Batteries And Other Existing Options	Compared to the other existing recharging battery options around, lithium-ion batteries are almost 40% costlier. And this is one significant aspect for manufacturers to consider when mass-producing such consumer-specific lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-Ion Batteries Often Suffer From Transportation Limitations	Large scale shipment of lithium-ion batteries is often subjected to regulatory provisions. Furthermore, the rules clearly state these batteries should be safeguarded with protective covers to avoid any possibilities of short circuits. This is mainly for large-sized lithium-ion power banks.
Lithium-Ion Batteries Are Still In The Stage Of Technological Development	Despite the grandeur success of lithium-ion batteries for various applications, they are still very much in the stage of technological development. And with the potential of metals and chemicals changing constantly, they might get replaced with newer lithium-ion technologies in the foreseeable future!