Misunderstandings about The Use of 18650 Lithium Batteries: Avoid Mistakes And Use Them Correctly

Misunderstandings about the use of 18650 lithium batteries: avoid mistakes and use them correctly

18650 lithium batteries are widely used in various electronic devices and energy storage systems due to their high energy density and long cycle life. However, due to insufficient understanding of the characteristics of lithium batteries, many users have some misunderstandings during use, which not only affect battery performance, but may also bring safety hazards. This article will analyze the common misunderstandings about the use of 18650 lithium batteries in detail and provide the correct use methods to help you avoid mistakes and give full play to the advantages of lithium batteries.

1. Misunderstanding 1: New batteries need to be fully charged for 12 hours

Misunderstanding: Many people believe that new batteries need to be fully charged for 12 hours before first use to "activate" the battery.

The truth: 18650 lithium batteries use lithium-ion technology and have no memory effect, so they do not need to be charged for a long time to activate. New batteries only need to be charged normally to a full state before use.

Correct approach: Use the original or brand charger and charge according to the instructions in the manual. It usually takes 2-4 hours to be fully charged.

2. Myth 2: Charge after the battery is exhausted

Wrong view: Some people think that charging after the battery is exhausted can extend the battery life.

The truth: Over-discharging of lithium batteries will cause damage to the internal material structure, reducing the battery capacity and life.

Correct approach: Avoid exhausting the battery. It is recommended to charge when the battery has 20%-30% remaining.

3. Myth 3: The longer the charging time, the better

Wrong view: Some people think that the longer the charging time, the more power the battery has.

The truth: Continuing to charge a lithium battery after it is fully charged will cause overcharging, increase the internal pressure of the battery, and may cause the battery to swell, leak, or even catch fire and explode.

Correct approach: Use a charger with overcharge protection function, and unplug the charger in time after it is fully charged.

4. Myth 4: No problem in high temperature environment

Wrong view: Some people think that lithium batteries are resistant to high temperatures and can be used normally in high temperature environments.

The truth: High temperature will accelerate the internal chemical reaction of lithium batteries, resulting in reduced capacity, shortened life, and even thermal runaway.

Correct approach: Avoid using lithium batteries in high temperature environments, such as direct sunlight, high temperature in the car, etc. If the battery temperature rises abnormally, stop using it immediately and check the cause.

V. Myth 5: Mixing batteries of different brands

Wrong view: Some people think that 18650 lithium batteries of different brands can be mixed as long as the voltage is the same.

The truth: Batteries of different brands may differ in capacity, internal resistance, discharge characteristics, etc. Mixing may cause the performance of the battery pack to decline and even cause safety problems.

Correct approach: Try to use batteries of the same brand, model, and batch to form a battery pack to ensure consistent battery performance.

VI. Myth 6: Batteries can still be used even if they are bulging

Wrong view: Some people think that battery bulging is just an appearance problem and can still be used.

The truth: Battery bulging indicates that a chemical reaction has occurred inside, and there may be safety hazards such as short circuit and leakage. Continuing to use may cause fire and explosion.

Correct approach: Stop using bulging batteries immediately and dispose of them properly.

VII. Suggestions for the correct use of 18650 lithium batteries

In order to give full play to the performance of 18650 lithium batteries and extend their service life, it is recommended to follow the correct usage methods below:

Use original or branded chargers: Poor quality chargers may pose safety hazards. It is recommended to use original or branded chargers to charge the battery.

Avoid overcharging and over-discharging: Avoid long-term charging when charging, and unplug the charger in time after full; avoid exhausting the battery when discharging, and it is recommended to charge when the remaining power is 20%-30%.

Control temperature: Avoid exposing the battery to high temperature environments, such as direct sunlight, high temperature in the car, etc.; when charging and using, pay attention to the battery temperature. If the temperature rises abnormally, stop using it immediately and check the cause.

Avoid mechanical damage: When using and storing the battery, avoid mechanical damage such as squeezing, impact or puncture.

Regular inspection: Regularly check the appearance of the battery for damage, deformation, leakage, etc. If abnormalities are found, stop using it immediately and properly handle it.

8. Conclusion

The correct use of 18650 lithium batteries is essential to ensure the normal operation of the device and extend the battery life. By avoiding common misunderstandings and following the correct usage methods, we can give full play to the advantages of lithium batteries while avoiding potential safety hazards. I hope that the guide provided in this article can help you better understand and use 18650 lithium batteries and provide reliable power guarantee for your devices.