People often find that their electronic devices won’t start after being left uncharged for a long time, and when they try to charge them again, the battery won’t take a charge. This not only leads to financial losses but also poses potential risks. Imagine facing a power outage and finding that your lithium battery flashlight doesn’t work when you need it most.
This article aims to help you understand the causes of such issues, offer repair tips, and provide advice on how to properly use lithium batteries to extend their lifespan.
How Lithium-Ion Batteries Die Without Charging
Scenario 1:
Lithium-ion batteries can become deeply discharged if their voltage drops below the rated level due to excessive discharge. This typically happens when you use a device until the battery is completely drained and then leave it uncharged for an extended period. Lithium-ion batteries naturally self-discharge at a rate of about 10% per month. This means that even if the device is not in use, the battery will gradually lose its charge, eventually causing the voltage to drop below the rated level. In such cases, you can try to revive the battery, and specific repair methods will be discussed later in the article.
Scenario 2:
The battery has reached the end of its lifespan. When a battery reaches its cycle limit, it can no longer hold a charge. Typically, lithium-ion batteries have a lifespan of around 4000 full cycles (from 100% charge to 0% charge). Before the battery becomes completely unchargeable, you may notice a decrease in capacity. For example, a battery that used to last for several hours may now only last for one. This is a strong indicator that the battery is nearing the end of its life. This scenario is most common with smartphones, which we use daily, though most smartphones use lithium-polymer batteries rather than lithium-ion batteries. Understanding the differences between lithium-polymer and lithium-ion batteries can provide further insight.
Scenario 3:
If you’re using a battery pack, the issue could be with the Battery Management System (BMS). The BMS is crucial for regulating the battery’s charge and discharge within safe limits, but it can also malfunction. If the BMS misjudges the battery’s condition or fails to detect the correct voltage, it may prevent the battery from charging.
Scenario 4:
The lithium-ion battery is fine, but the charging equipment is faulty. Sometimes, the battery’s lifespan exceeds that of the charger. While lithium-ion batteries are usually well-protected, charging devices are more exposed to wear and tear. If the charging equipment fails or has poor connections, it won’t be able to charge the battery.
How to Diagnose a Non-Charging Lithium-Ion Battery
Before discussing how to repair a non-charging battery, it’s important to diagnose the root cause of the issue. We recommend starting with the simplest checks:
1. Check the Battery’s Lifespan:
If you have an idea of how many cycles the battery has gone through, consider whether it has reached its physical limit. The electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries can become contaminated with impurities over time, leading to loss of conductivity and eventual battery failure.
2. Check the Charging Equipment:
Ensure that your charging equipment is functioning properly. Most devices have indicator lights—observe the lights to see if they are behaving normally. If you have multiple batteries, test them one by one. If none of the batteries charge, the charger is likely faulty. You can confirm this by testing with a different charger.
3. Inspect the Battery’s Appearance:
Look for any physical damage, such as dents or cracks. A physically damaged battery is beyond repair and could be a fire hazard. Also, check the battery contacts for rust or debris, which could prevent charging.
4. Use a Multimeter to Check the Battery Voltage:
Connect a multimeter to the battery terminals to measure its internal voltage. Lithium-ion batteries typically have a voltage range of 2.5 to 2.75 volts. If the voltage falls below this, the battery may be in a “sleep” mode or fully discharged. A voltage below 2 volts indicates the battery is “dead.” If the voltage reads 0 volts, the battery is likely in deep sleep. Note that if you’re using a battery pack, each cell should be tested individually, as a malfunction in one cell can cause the BMS to prevent charging.
How to Repair a Non-Charging Lithium-Ion Battery
After diagnosing the issue, you can address the problem based on the findings:
1. Replace Batteries that Have Reached Their Physical Limit:
If the battery has reached its cycle limit, replacement is the only solution.
2. Replace the Charger:
If the charger is faulty, the best solution is to replace it with a new one. Be aware that chargers from different brands may not be interchangeable, so ensure the new charger is compatible with your battery.
3. Discard Deformed Batteries:
Deformed batteries are dangerous and should be properly disposed of. Deformed batteries cannot be repaired, so you’ll need to replace them with a new one. If the battery contacts are dirty, gently clean them with a dry, soft cloth or brush to remove any debris, ensuring clean and secure contacts.
4. Revive Batteries with Low Voltage:
If the battery voltage is too low, you can try to wake it up by using the original charger and waiting patiently, as this process may take longer than normal charging. If that doesn’t work, try using a charger with a slightly lower voltage than the original. Once the battery reaches 20% charge, switch back to the original charger. Additionally, there are special chargers on the market designed to recover batteries with low voltage due to self-discharge, though this method may result in reduced battery capacity.
How Long Can a Non-Charging Lithium-Ion Battery Last?
Once a battery is completely discharged, it will lose its activity within about six months. Even if it is reactivated, it will become highly unreliable and close to the end of its usable life.
Tips for Extending the Life of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries can typically handle over 4000 charge cycles, but proper use can extend their lifespan to as many as 8000 cycles. Here are some tips:
1. Control the Depth of Discharge:
Fully discharging a battery from 100% to 0% is known as 100% DoD (Depth of Discharge). Research shows that excessive discharge increases internal resistance, significantly reducing battery life. To prolong the battery’s lifespan, try to minimize the depth of discharge. The less you discharge (i.e., lower DoD), the longer the battery will last, and the more charge cycles it can handle.
2. Control the Discharge Rate:
Rapidly discharging a battery increases its internal resistance. Discharging a battery in one hour versus half an hour has different effects on its longevity. Think of it like driving a car—aggressive driving accelerates battery aging.
3. Regularly Charge Lithium-Ion Batteries:
Although lithium-ion batteries do not have a memory effect, long periods without charging can cause them to lose activity, as mentioned earlier. Even if you’re not using the battery, it’s recommended to charge it at least once a month to prevent it from falling into a deep sleep.
4. Store Batteries in a Dry, Safe Environment:
While the electrolyte inside the battery is not exposed to air, the metal contacts can rust due to moisture. Storing batteries in a good environment reduces the risk of failure.
5. Monitor Temperature During Discharge:
Keep the battery at room temperature while discharging. The optimal working temperature for lithium-ion batteries is between -20°C and 50°C. Exceeding this range reduces battery activity. In cold environments, the battery will consume more power to maintain voltage stability, leading to faster depletion. In hot environments, the electrodes may expand, shortening the battery’s lifespan.
Conclusion
Now that you understand what happens when a lithium-ion battery stops charging and how to revive it, maintaining the battery in good condition will help you be prepared for various scenarios. If your battery is manufactured by a reputable company, they often design it with built-in safeguards to prevent overcharging and over-discharging. Lastly, I hope this article has been helpful to you.
Post time: Aug-21-2024