Lithium Battery Winter Use Guide
Introduction:
I believe many people have this common sense: Winter is coming, but my battery does not seem to last as long as in summer. Why does the battery die so quickly? Is my battery dead? Why can’t my battery charge in the winter?
So many customers have asked these questions recently, so I wrote this article. Today, we will talk about what happens to lithium batteries in winter. What should we pay attention to when using lithium batteries in winter?
The battery capacity may be significantly reduced in winter. Is the battery broken?
No, many factors lead to capacity reduction, and this is not a phenomenon unique to lithium batteries, because almost all types of batteries are affected by extremely low temperatures. Once the temperature returns to normal, the capacity of the general lithium battery will recover quickly.
What reasons may cause the capacity of lithium batteries to decrease at low temperatures?
- Low temperature affects the internal resistance of the battery: the higher the internal resistance of the battery pack, the greater the energy loss because it has internal resistance, which means it will consume its energy. The higher the resistance, the greater the energy loss.
- Reduced electronic activity: We discussed how the battery pack works in another article. It was mentioned that the charging and discharging of lithium batteries require internal electron movement. Low temperature will seriously reduce the activity of electrons, thus affecting the entire charge and discharge process.
- Charging lithium batteries at low temperatures will cause irreversible capacity loss: We have another article dedicated to discussing the specific scientific principles. The core reason is that when charging at low temperatures, the electrochemical reaction and the process of ion diffusion into the electrolyte will slow down. , and at the same time, the material lattice will also shrink. This is an onlooker concept. We understand lithium ions must be embedded inside the negative electrode rod to complete charging. Still, due to the shrinkage of the lattice, lithium ions cannot completely enter. When this phenomenon occurs in large quantities, lithium ions will not be able to enter the graphite layer because they have no time to react. They will accumulate in large quantities on the surface of the negative electrode, thus becoming a conversion reaction and eventually forming lithium dendrites. These lithium dendrites will cause a reduction in capacity, and when they accumulate, they may puncture the separator, causing permanent functional failure of the battery. This is the most fundamental reason why the capacity of lithium batteries is reduced or even damaged at low temperatures.
A concrete example to explain what impact low temperatures can have on capacity.
We can assume that you now have a 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery Pack. Everything was working normally, but as the weather has gotten colder in recent months, you have found that the battery is becoming less and less durable, so you suspect that the battery is broken, so you bought a testing tool. , the test found that your capacity is only 70Ah.
But in fact, this capacity reduction is only temporary, because you only need to wait for the temperature to return to normal before charging the battery pack, and the battery capacity will be restored. The specific principle has been explained above, and it is caused by the activity of electrons and the design of the internal structure.
What should we do if we need to use the battery pack at low temperatures?
The simplest way is to keep the battery pack warm to prevent the battery from being exposed to low temperatures. In some cases, we can indeed do this, but sometimes we have to use the battery at low temperatures, so what should we do? Some people may think, can I design an incubator for the battery? This idea is very good, but it is not very feasible because it means more extra space is needed, and it is also more troublesome. Is there an easier way? Certainly.
Our original intention of designing an insulating box for the battery is to constantly temperature or heat the battery externally to prevent the internal temperature of the battery from being too low. So, can we design the heating device inside the battery? Sure.
What is a heated battery?
Heating the battery is done by adding a heating film to the inside of the battery pack. This heating film will cover the battery cells. It can directly heat the battery core from the inside, thus preventing the internal temperature of the battery pack from being too low.
How does a heated battery work?
The heating battery is modified based on the ordinary lithium battery. First, NTC is needed to collect the ambient temperature, and then the heating function is turned on through BMS control. When the temperature reaches the set value, the heating is automatically turned off, and the battery pack can work normally. , the heating module will automatically turn off during operation, because the battery will also generate heat while working. Therefore, NTC will continuously monitor the temperature of the battery pack, and finally, together with the protective plate and heating film, realize the constant temperature function inside the battery pack.
What are the disadvantages of heated batteries?
Consumes more power. If the battery does not have a heating function, the energy of the battery can be used for work. However, if the battery has a heating function, part of the energy of the battery pack needs to be used to heat the battery, and the other part is used for work. Therefore, the battery pack power will be consumed faster, so we need to check the battery SOC in time and charge the battery.
Summary:
At low temperatures, whether charging or discharging, lithium batteries may be permanently damaged. Therefore, we should try to avoid using batteries at low temperatures. If we must use them, we can choose lithium batteries with heating functions. These batteries are customized functions based on ordinary batteries. You can also use it with Bluetooth, WIFI, and GPS functions to unlock more ways to play with lithium batteries.
I hope this article is really helpful to you. If you are interested in this kind of information, you can stay tuned to our blog.
Author Profile
Thomas Chen
Thomas Chen is a seasoned expert in the new energy industry, with a focus on lithium battery technology. A Shenzhen University alumnus, class of 2010, Thomas has cultivated a wealth of experience through pivotal roles at EVE and BYD. Renowned for his profound insights into the sector, he possesses a unique aptitude for identifying market trends and understanding customer needs. His articles offer a distinctive perspective, drawn from a rich background in the field.
Introduction:
I believe many people have this common sense: Winter is coming, but my battery does not seem to last as long as in summer. Why does the battery die so quickly? Is my battery dead? Why can’t my battery charge in the winter?
So many customers have asked these questions recently, so I wrote this article. Today, we will talk about what happens to lithium batteries in winter. What should we pay attention to when using lithium batteries in winter?
The battery capacity may be significantly reduced in winter. Is the battery broken?
No, many factors lead to capacity reduction, and this is not a phenomenon unique to lithium batteries, because almost all types of batteries are affected by extremely low temperatures. Once the temperature returns to normal, the capacity of the general lithium battery will recover quickly.
What reasons may cause the capacity of lithium batteries to decrease at low temperatures?
- Low temperature affects the internal resistance of the battery: the higher the internal resistance of the battery pack, the greater the energy loss because it has internal resistance, which means it will consume its energy. The higher the resistance, the greater the energy loss.
- Reduced electronic activity: We discussed how the battery pack works in another article. It was mentioned that the charging and discharging of lithium batteries require internal electron movement. Low temperature will seriously reduce the activity of electrons, thus affecting the entire charge and discharge process.
- Charging lithium batteries at low temperatures will cause irreversible capacity loss: We have another article dedicated to discussing the specific scientific principles. The core reason is that when charging at low temperatures, the electrochemical reaction and the process of ion diffusion into the electrolyte will slow down. , and at the same time, the material lattice will also shrink. This is an onlooker concept. We understand lithium ions must be embedded inside the negative electrode rod to complete charging. Still, due to the shrinkage of the lattice, lithium ions cannot completely enter. When this phenomenon occurs in large quantities, lithium ions will not be able to enter the graphite layer because they have no time to react. They will accumulate in large quantities on the surface of the negative electrode, thus becoming a conversion reaction and eventually forming lithium dendrites. These lithium dendrites will cause a reduction in capacity, and when they accumulate, they may puncture the separator, causing permanent functional failure of the battery. This is the most fundamental reason why the capacity of lithium batteries is reduced or even damaged at low temperatures.
A concrete example to explain what impact low temperatures can have on capacity.
We can assume that you now have a 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery Pack. Everything was working normally, but as the weather has gotten colder in recent months, you have found that the battery is becoming less and less durable, so you suspect that the battery is broken, so you bought a testing tool. , the test found that your capacity is only 70Ah.
But in fact, this capacity reduction is only temporary, because you only need to wait for the temperature to return to normal before charging the battery pack, and the battery capacity will be restored. The specific principle has been explained above, and it is caused by the activity of electrons and the design of the internal structure.
What should we do if we need to use the battery pack at low temperatures?
The simplest way is to keep the battery pack warm to prevent the battery from being exposed to low temperatures. In some cases, we can indeed do this, but sometimes we have to use the battery at low temperatures, so what should we do? Some people may think, can I design an incubator for the battery? This idea is very good, but it is not very feasible because it means more extra space is needed, and it is also more troublesome. Is there an easier way? Certainly.
Our original intention of designing an insulating box for the battery is to constantly temperature or heat the battery externally to prevent the internal temperature of the battery from being too low. So, can we design the heating device inside the battery? Sure.
What is a heated battery?
Heating the battery is done by adding a heating film to the inside of the battery pack. This heating film will cover the battery cells. It can directly heat the battery core from the inside, thus preventing the internal temperature of the battery pack from being too low.
How does a heated battery work?
The heating battery is modified based on the ordinary lithium battery. First, NTC is needed to collect the ambient temperature, and then the heating function is turned on through BMS control. When the temperature reaches the set value, the heating is automatically turned off, and the battery pack can work normally. , the heating module will automatically turn off during operation, because the battery will also generate heat while working. Therefore, NTC will continuously monitor the temperature of the battery pack, and finally, together with the protective plate and heating film, realize the constant temperature function inside the battery pack.
What are the disadvantages of heated batteries?
Consumes more power. If the battery does not have a heating function, the energy of the battery can be used for work. However, if the battery has a heating function, part of the energy of the battery pack needs to be used to heat the battery, and the other part is used for work. Therefore, the battery pack power will be consumed faster, so we need to check the battery SOC in time and charge the battery.
Summary:
At low temperatures, whether charging or discharging, lithium batteries may be permanently damaged. Therefore, we should try to avoid using batteries at low temperatures. If we must use them, we can choose lithium batteries with heating functions. These batteries are customized functions based on ordinary batteries. You can also use it with Bluetooth, WIFI, and GPS functions to unlock more ways to play with lithium batteries.
I hope this article is really helpful to you. If you are interested in this kind of information, you can stay tuned to our blog.
Author Profile
Thomas Chen
Thomas Chen is a seasoned expert in the new energy industry, with a focus on lithium battery technology. A Shenzhen University alumnus, class of 2010, Thomas has cultivated a wealth of experience through pivotal roles at EVE and BYD. Renowned for his profound insights into the sector, he possesses a unique aptitude for identifying market trends and understanding customer needs. His articles offer a distinctive perspective, drawn from a rich background in the field.
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