Lithium Polymer Battery Manufacturers Tells A Guide To Keeping Your Custom Lithium Ion Battery Pack Safe

A Guide to Keeping Your Custom Lithium Ion Battery Pack Safe
As the more advantageous option when compared to traditional deep cycle lead acid batteries, a lithium-ion chemistry has become the preferred choice for portable power across applications.
Be it the compact ones powering laptops and smartphones or the higher capacity batteries operating recreational vehicles, lithium-ion batteries are everywhere.
Lithium-ion batteries present fewer risks; there is no doubt about it. Nevertheless, the need for battery care and precautions cannot be eliminated.

One needs to be careful when handling battery materials and chemicals, be vigilant about charging cycles and temperature regulation, and moving batteries across stations and equipment. In this article, we discuss how to keep your lithium ion battery safe.

Mishandling of electrolytes has always been regarded as a major safety risk for batteries. Traditional lead acid batteries need to be constantly watered in order to maintain the performance. However, that isn’t the case with lithium-ion variants. The electrolytes are sealed within the battery cells. Thus, you do not have to worry about the injuries to the person or the attendant caused by accidental spills or contact with the skin.

A major issue with lithium ion batteries is the higher energy density. The battery should be disconnected from the charging port, the moment it reaches full charge. Overcharging can overheat the battery increasing the risk of explosions.

Batteries must be inspected daily for any changes structurally. Batteries emitting an unfamiliar smell, leaking fluids, overheating or displaying visible changes in shape must be replaced before it causes any untoward incident.

Don’t forget to ask if the battery features a Battery Management System. High incoming current, overcharging, increased internal temperature (beyond the safe range), and battery over discharge are critical conditions. They not only cause battery failure but could have dangerous consequences. An integrated battery management system protects the battery in these critical conditions with a switch that automatically disconnects the battery.

The ambient temperature also becomes an important consideration in battery safety. Batteries must be stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Keep away from direct sun or from an inflammable source.

When it comes to lithium-ion battery safety, we often overlook battery disposal. Instead of letting batteries just pile up after they become useless, a better option is to transfer them to a recycling unit where they can be recycled or disposed efficiently.

In the end, it also boils down to where you source the lithium-ion battery from. The battery must undergo rigorous testing and be certified by an independent testing laboratory. JB Battery is one of the premier manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries, that could be a great substitute for all kinds of lead-acid, gel and AGM batteries. Their battery models are compatible with most applications.

The battery casing should be of good quality to withstand rugged use. More importantly, for safety and performance sake, you must choose a battery that is compatible with your application or electric tool.

You should always read up the product manual to check the battery specifications. To add, one must strictly follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using, storing and disposing a lithium-ion battery.