Whether you purchase a CTC lithium battery or a completely different battery altogether, there are a few things that you should know about looking after it. We’ll discuss those things here. Battery Pete wants to help ensure that you get the long life expectancy that goes along with the price tag of your lithium battery.
Quality Of Your Battery
Of course, right off the bat we need to discuss the quality of your battery and remember that you get what you pay for. Naturally you will want a battery produced with high quality materials. If you start with low quality materials you wind up with a low-quality battery. A CTC Lithium Battery is manufactured the right way. Quality has a cost.
Correct Battery Charger
It is very important that you use the right charger for your new lithium battery as well. Whenever someone asks us which charger to use we recommend this one. They have been making battery chargers for quite some time and this unit is made specifically for lithium. We have been using these for years without a problem.
As for other chargers, just make sure to use one that is branded for the specific type of battery chemistry you are using. If you can find a combo set up that is always nice. Batteries and chargers by the same manufacturer are usually programmed to work together more effectively.
On larger scale projects the Delta Q Technologies line of chargers are designed to work great with any battery or chemistry because they are programmed for your battery specifically prior to shipping. In addition, branded chargers like Delta Q or Optimate tend to be constructed from high quality materials which means they are going to last longer, even if they cost a little more.
Keep It Clean
Believe it or not, one of the most important factors in maintaining your battery is keeping it charged correctly. Whereas a lead acid battery is always stored at 100% capacity, a lithium battery should be stored at about 50-60%. Re-charge completely and then discharge accordingly for long storage periods. Having a well balanced charge is critical to the life expectancy of your lithium battery. So many people forget this little detail.
Don’t Overcharge
It is important to remember not to overcharge your batteries. In fact, with technology today, it is usually not possible. Batteries such as the CTC lithium come with a built in BMS (battery management system). Any lithium battery that does not have a BMS is going to be a pain to deal with over time and could be a hazard. That’s because larger size batteries are comprised of many smaller lithium cells that either run in a series or parallel or both. Do your research prior to buy your next lithium battery. It is not like buying Energizer or Duracell batteries for the TV remote.
Battery Cycles
Finally, you will need to think about the power you need this battery to generate and maintain to determine the right size battery for your application. Depth of Discharge (DOD) is very important in lithium battery technology. You do not want let it fall too low or you will sacrifice the life of your battery.
As a rule of thumb, never discharge below 40% capacity. Many people believe that you need to fully discharge a battery before you recharge it. This isn’t true of lithium batteries. One of the major benefits of this type of battery is that it has no memory effect.
Another is the life cycles they can deliver. There are several studies out there that indicate that the overall lifespan of your new CTC lithium battery can be reduced by 50% if not cared for properly. So read the instructions, take good care of it, and it will take good care of you.
