From my drone days I’ve learned its best to charge lipo batteries around 1c or even .5c. Just curious if li ion is similar or not affected the same?
Basically, I have a regular charger and a ‘fast’ charger. I usually don’t need to charge my board fast so wouldn’t mind using a slower charger if it’s beneficially to the batteries health.
Also I understand Li Ion should be left at a storage charge if not being used for an extended period of time (this is true with lipos) curious if it’s the same on this as well.
I don’t know the science behind it, and I know others can explain it better than me, but yes, charging at a low amperage is the healthiest way to charge lithium ion batteries
Short answer yes. most li ions have a charge rate around .5c and up to 1c.
longer answer:
Charging and discharging at high rates causes more decay inside the cells. The main issue with charging li ion is that dendrites can form and eventually short out the cell(worst case). Even during standard charging some of these dendrites can be created, robbing usable Li in the process, this is why cells lose capacity over time.
Now if you if charge around .5c most of the time, and then use a fast charger at 1c every now and then, the decrease in capacity probably won’t be noticeable.
if you use a fast charger all the time, you’ll probably end up on the lower side of the cycle estimate.
This was the case with lithium metal batteries but not so with Lithium ion batteries.
In fact this is the reason lithium ion batteries where developed. To eliminate the problem of dendrites.
The downside is that Lithium ion batteries have less density than Lithium metal batteries.
It is explained in detail in this video:
According to the datasheet of A123, you can charge their 2300mah lifepo4 cells (ANR26650M1As) at 3A normal 10A fast charge and after 1000charge cycles they should be at 90% full charge max.
The four suspected renegades responsible for capacity loss and the eventual end-of-life of the Li-ion battery are:
Mechanical degradation of electrodes or loss of stack pressure in pouch-type cells. Careful cell design and correct electrolyte additives minimize this cause.
Growth of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the anode. A barrier forms that obstructs the interaction with graphite, resulting in an increase of internal resistance. SEI is seen as a cause for capacity loss in most graphite-based Li-ion when keeping the charge voltage below 3.92V/cell. Electrolyte additives reduce some of the effect.
Formation of electrolyte oxidation at the cathode that may lead to a sudden capacity loss. Keeping the cells at a voltage above 4.10V/cell and at an elevated temperature promotes this phenomenon.
Lithium-plating on the surface of the anode caused by high charging rates.
