How do low-temperature lithium batteries work?

Not all types and kinds of batteries will work in cold weather. Yes, we are talking about when the weather gets too low, like -20 degrees centigrade. Charging an ordinary standard battery at this temperature is nearly impossible because it dies when the temperature gets too low. There are low-temperature lithium batteries that can survive in temperatures like -20 degrees centigrade and maybe even more. 

Only lithium batteries that are specially designed for low-temperature areas can survive. Their performance won’t be affected by the decrease in temperature, and they get recharged perfectly fine. Low-temperature lithium batteries like iron phosphate are the ones that are manufactured for the chilly weather.

The impedance increases with the decrease in temperature

Impedance means the resistance of the batteries that will automatically increase when the temperature decreases. Basically, whenever the temperature decreases, it will increase the impedance of your batteries, and it will further cause a decrease in battery voltage discharge percentage. 

With the decrease in discharge voltage platform, the terminal voltage of the battery even decreases faster. This is the mechanism by which the low-temperature lithium batteries are designed to survive in the chilly weather. 

Low-temperature lithium batteries can surely perform well in low-temperature as compared to other batteries available in the market, but they get affected as well. Yes, the low temperature will affect the performance and capacity of your batteries. It might take a little longer to recharge them, and the batteries won’t survive for longer hours as they would in normal temperatures. 

Problems With Lithium Batteries at Low Temperatures

A standard battery won’t survive the harsh conditions of low-temperature areas, and therefore, it won’t work for you. The only type of batteries that can survive in this situation would be low-temperature lithium batteries. They are designed for such harsh environments, but still, they will be affected whenever the temperature decreases. 

3.2V 20A Low Temp LiFePO4 Battery Cell -40℃ 3C discharge capacity≥70% Charging temperature：-20~45℃ Discharging temperature: -40~+55℃ pass acupuncture test -40℃ maximum discharge rate：3C

READ MORE

Loss of Power and Capacity

When the temperature gets too low, the chemical reaction that takes place inside the lithium batteries gets affected. Yes, the low temperature will decrease the speed of that chemical reaction. In some cases, it might get zero, and your battery won’t get recharged.

The most common problem with lithium batteries at low temperatures is the loss of power and capacity. Obviously, it would take longer hours to recharge your lithium batteries to their full capacity in low temperatures. There is a great possibility that the batteries might not even get recharged fully because of the minus temperature. 

The capacity gets affected, and it will keep decreasing if the temperature keeps getting low. The main effect of low temperatures on lithium batteries would be the capacity and the power. So, the loss of these two main characteristics of your lithium batteries will surely affect the performance as well. 

Lower Life Span

It is quite obvious that if the performance, capacity and power of your lithium batteries are affected by the decrease in temperature, then it will affect the life span as well. Yes, the life span of your lithium batteries will decrease if the temperature stays the same because it will take longer hours to recharge the batteries, and the power might discharge quickly as well. 

When you charge lithium batteries for longer hours, they will get affected, but you won’t be left with any other option if you want to have a power backup at all times. 

Methods to Prevent Lithium Dendrites

Lithium battery dendrites are built of metal projections on the lithium surface, and they will further penetrate inside the battery. The dendrites will travel from one electrode to the other, and eventually, they will cause battery cell shorting. When you charge your battery for longer hours at low-temperature dendrites, growth starts taking place.

Low Temperature High Energy Density Rugged Laptop Polymer Battery Battery specification: 11.1V 7800mAh -40℃ 0.2C discharge capacity ≥80% Dustproof, resistance to dropping, anti - corrosion, anti - electromagnetic interference

READ MORE

Most of the lithium batteries would die in low temperatures, but some specially designed low-temperature lithium batteries can survive for a little longer. There will be consequences of using lithium batteries in low temperatures, and lithium dendrites are one of them. 

Moderate Temperature

With the decrease in temperature, the growth of dendrites will rapidly increase. Low temperature is the main culprit here, so you must ensure that the temperature around your lithium batteries is moderate.

Stable SEI

Other than moderate temperature, you can have a stable solid electrolyte inter-phase that can also prevent the growth of lithium dendrites in your batteries. Well, building this stable inter-phase will be a critical job, and for that, you can use aluminum hybrid polymers because they are believed to be the best artificial SEI films. 

Stop Low-temperature Charging of Lithium Batteries

Charging lithium batteries at low temperatures will certainly cause damage to the batteries. Therefore, it is prohibited to charge batteries when the temperature is too low for the batteries. As we have discussed this point above, the usage of lithium batteries at low temperatures will only cause damage to them. Charging them at low temperatures will damage the lifespan of the batteries. 

Never Use a Compensating Charge With Your Lithium Batteries

If you want to recharge your lithium batteries at low temperatures, and for that, you are using a compensating charger, then you will be causing damage to your batteries. Never charge your lithium batteries when the temperature hits zero degrees centigrade because it is not good for your batteries.

Some lithium batteries are designed to be used in low temperatures, and they are connected with a compensate charger then you can charge them. Otherwise, if we talk about standard lithium batteries, then you should charge them at low temperatures. Even the compensatory charger will only cause damage to your batteries. 

Temperature is a very important aspect when it comes to charging your lithium batteries because there will be consequences to charging them at low temperatures. 

Final Words

If you don’t charge your low-temperature lithium batteries on time and before they run out of charging, then they might not get recharged at all. Plus, you mustn’t over-charge your batteries because it will cause damage to the internal components of your batteries. The right amount of current and the right charging method would be necessary if you don’t want your batteries to get affected or damaged.