What are lithium-ion batteries?
What is lithium-ion (Li-Ion)? |
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Lithium-Ion batteries are the latest generation in battery technology. They are made from lithium, the lightest of all metals and manufacturers claim that they have significant advantages over NiCd and NiMH batteries. | |||
Advantages |
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Compared to NiCd and NiMH batteries of the same voltage, Li-Ion is the lightest in weight. | |||
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Li-Ion batteries do not suffer from ‘memory effect’. | |||
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They perform well in lower temperatures, so can be used outdoors in cold weather. | |||
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They are relatively environmentally friendly. | |||
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Li-Ion batteries have a low self discharge rate. | |||
Disadvantages |
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They are the most expensive, compared to NiCd and NiMH. | |||
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They can ignite or explode if exposed to high temperatures. | |||
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They have a shorter battery life compared to NiCd and NiMH batteries of the same voltage. The exact length of life will vary from battery to battery and will depend on a couple of factors:
However, some manufacturers will offer an estimate as to how long the battery will last before it needs replaced – for example, 800 charge cycles or 3-5 years. |
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As Li-Ion is a relatively new technology, all the disadvantages are not known yet. | |||
