Summary of Dos and Donts

Table 1 provides suggestions on how to extend battery life by following simple guidelines. Because of similarities within systems, the chemistries are limited to lead, nickel and lithium.

Table 1: Dos and donts summary how to use, maintain and dispose of batteries. Battery care Lead acid: Flooded, sealed, AGM Nickel-based: NiCd, NiMH Lithium-ion: Cobalt, manganese, phosphate

Best way to charge Apply a saturated charge to prevent sulfation; can stay on charge with correct float charge. Avoid getting battery too hot on charge. Do not leave battery in charger for more than a few days (memory!). Partial and random charge is fine; does not need full charge; lower voltage limit preferred; keep battery cool.

Charge methods

Constant voltage to 2.402.45/cell, float at 2.252.30V/cell; battery stays cool; no fast charge possible. Charge = 14h

Constant current, trickle charge at 0.05C, fast charge preferred. Slow charge = 14h Rapid charge = 3h Fast charge = 1h Constant voltage to 4.20V/cell; no trickle charge; battery can stay in charger Rapid charge = 3h Fast charge = 1h

Discharge

Do not cycle starter batteries; avoid full discharges; always charge after use. Do not over-discharge under heavy load; cell reversal causes short. Avoid full discharges. Prevent full cycles, apply some charge after a full discharge to keep the protection circuit alive.

How to prolong battery Limit deep cycling, apply topping charge every 6 months while in storage to prevent sulfation, keep cells at or above 2.10V Do not keep battery in charger for more than a few days, discharge to 1V/cell every 13 months to prevent memory (NiCd) Keep cool, battery lasts longest when operating in mid state-of-charge of 2080%. Prevent ultra-fast charging and high loads.

Storage

Do not store below 2.10V/cell; keep fully charged if possible Store in cool place; NiCd stores for 5 years; prime before use Store at 40% charge in cool place (40% SoC reads 3.753.80V/cell)

Disposal Do not dispose. Lead is a toxic metal NiCd: Do not dispose. NiMH: Can be disposed in low volume Can be disposed of in low volume

Summary of Dos and Donts

Table 1 provides suggestions on how to extend battery life by following simple guidelines. Because of similarities within systems, the chemistries are limited to lead, nickel and lithium.

Table 1: Dos and donts summary how to use, maintain and dispose of batteries. Battery care Lead acid: Flooded, sealed, AGM Nickel-based: NiCd, NiMH Lithium-ion: Cobalt, manganese, phosphate

Best way to charge Apply a saturated charge to prevent sulfation; can stay on charge with correct float charge. Avoid getting battery too hot on charge. Do not leave battery in charger for more than a few days (memory!). Partial and random charge is fine; does not need full charge; lower voltage limit preferred; keep battery cool.

Charge methods

Constant voltage to 2.402.45/cell, float at 2.252.30V/cell; battery stays cool; no fast charge possible. Charge = 14h Constant current, trickle charge at 0.05C, fast charge preferred. Slow charge = 14h Rapid charge = 3h Fast charge = 1h Constant voltage to 4.20V/cell; no trickle charge; battery can stay in charger Rapid charge = 3h Fast charge = 1h

Discharge

Do not cycle starter batteries; avoid full discharges; always charge after use. Do not over-discharge under heavy load; cell reversal causes short. Avoid full discharges. Prevent full cycles, apply some charge after a full discharge to keep the protection circuit alive.

How to prolong battery Limit deep cycling, apply topping charge every 6 months while in storage to prevent sulfation, keep cells at or above 2.10V Do not keep battery in charger for more than a few days, discharge to 1V/cell every 13 months to prevent memory (NiCd)

Keep cool, battery lasts longest when operating in mid state-of-charge of 2080%. Prevent ultra-fast charging and high loads.

Storage

Do not store below 2.10V/cell; keep fully charged if possible Store in cool place; NiCd stores for 5 years; prime before use Store at 40% charge in cool place (40% SoC reads 3.753.80V/cell)

Disposal Do not dispose. Lead is a toxic metal NiCd: Do not dispose. NiMH: Can be disposed in low volume Can be disposed of in low volume