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What Are Lithium Batteries? Learn How Lithium Batteries Work
Lithium batteries are all the rage these days. These handy little accessories are used to power a large number of consumer products, from digital cameras to notebook computers. And as our customers know, lithium is also an essential component of the Enduro Power line of batteries.
If you’re like most people, though, you don’t really have a clear idea what these kinds of batteries do that makes them preferable to traditional batteries on the market. That’s why we’ve put together a brief overview of lithium batteries that should give you a basic understanding of how they function and their various benefits.
What Are Lithium Batteries Made Of?
Lithium is a soft, low-density alkali metal that has an extremely low electrode potential—this refers to the ease in which it can lose electrons. This last characteristic makes lithium very useful for use in the anode of a battery. The flow of electrons between the anode to the cathode is what generates the electrical charge of the battery, and lithium is especially well suited for this activity.
The naturally low density of lithium also enables these batteries to provide high energy density—that is, they contain more energy than the average battery of the same weight. That makes it possible for lithium batteries to generate lots of energy in a relatively small container.
Lithium vs. Lithium-Ion Batteries
Although it’s common to use the terms interchangeably, there are important differences between a lithium battery and a lithium-ion battery. Lithium batteries use a primary cell construction, so their electrochemical reactions cannot be reversed. Lithium-ion batteries have a secondary cell construction, so their electrochemical reactions can be reversed.
What this means is that lithium batteries are non-rechargeable—they can last a long time, but once they have become depleted, they’re done. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries can be recharged many times before experiencing performance degradation. In other words: If you’re looking for a rechargeable battery, you want the lithium-ion type.
Enduro Power’s lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries belong to the lithium-ion type and can go through 3,000 recharge cycles on average.
More Benefits of Lithium Batteries
These batteries offer quite a few advantages in addition to those already mentioned. These benefits include:
No maintenance requirements - Unlike standard lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries don’t need water-replacement maintenance.
Quick charging - Lithium-ion batteries can be rapidly recharged when needed, reducing the likelihood of wasteful downtime periods.
Low self-discharge rate - Compared with standard batteries, lithium types lose much less energy when not in use (about 3% per month compared to 30% a month with older technologies).
Long-lasting - Lithium batteries can last more than a decade without significant degradation in performance. And because they don’t need to be replaced often, they are safer for the environment than lead-acid batteries.
No memory effect - Although incomplete charging can eventually reduce the maximum capacity of certain types of rechargeable batteries, lithium is immune to this problem.
When it comes to rechargeable batteries you can depend on, lithium is really your best option.
Enduro Power Lithium Batteries
Enduro Power's line of lithium iron phosphate batteries are Endurance Rated to ensure long-lasting performance in a wide range of operating conditions, including very low temperatures. Our batteries incorporate Grade A prismatic cells that deliver high energy density in a low-weight case. Cobalt-free, these eco-friendly rechargeable batteries come with a ten-year warranty.
Whether you’re interested in lithium RV batteries for your cross-country trips, lithium golf cart batteries to help you get around the green, or a dependable energy source for any other application that can benefit from Deep Cycle technology, you can’t go wrong with Enduro Power Lithium Batteries. Feel free to explore our website to learn more about our lithium iron phosphate batteries.