A battery is a source of electric power that stores chemical energy and converts it to electrical energy. How do you know which battery is right for your needs? We’ll walk you through the options and explain the benefits and drawbacks of various battery types in this guide.
How to choose a battery
Before you go out and get a new battery, check sure it’s a dead battery that’s the source of your issue. To begin, inspect the battery for any loose connections or frayed wires that could cause the battery to fail.
The days of a one-size-fits-all battery are over. Today’s devices ( e.g., automobiles and engines) have some of the most complex features, which means their batteries must be tailored to vehicle specifications such as electronic equipment and driving habits.
The following criteria should be considered while selecting a battery:
- Cost
- Sort of application
- Size and form
- Voltage
- Temperature at which the machine operates.
- Capacity in milliampere-hours (mAh) (calculation method provided below).
There are two features that all batteries share:
- Voltage: It is measured in Volt (V), and rechargeable batteries typically have a value of 12V.
- Capacity: is measured in amp-hour (Ah), and can be increased by connecting additional batteries in parallel.
The quantity of energy stored in a battery is measured in kilowatt-hour (kWh). kWh is calculated by multiplying the voltage by the capacity. Consider the following scenario: A battery with 15V – 100 Ah has 15 × 100 = 1.5 kWh.
Based on the above specifications, you must select the chemical composition, battery type, or technology: lithium, nickel, or lead-acid. There isn’t a single battery technology that is superior to the rest. Each type of battery has a set of advantages and disadvantages. Thus, it depends on the operator of a battery-powered application to determine which one best matches their needs.
Based on the type of usage and climate, each battery has a number of cycles and predefined lifespan. It is recommended that you understand the specifications and instructions to improve the performance and extend the lifespan of the battery.
Important Battery Metrics to Keep in Mind
When it comes to choosing the battery for your needs, it’s all about determining the most critical battery parameters. For example, if your application requires a high power, resistance (cell internal) must be reduced, which is often accomplished by increasing the surface area of anode and cathode electrodes.
The following are some significant factors to consider while choosing a battery:
1. Primary vs. Secondary – Main decision is to make a selection of whether you need primary or secondary batteries. The usage of a primary battery is recommended for applications with intermittent use. For example, a torch, toy, or smoke alarm. In addition, the primary battery is applicable for disposable applications where charging is impractical. For instance, watch, hearing aid, pacemaker, greeting card, etc. However, there are some exceptional cases found, i.e., smartwatch. In contrast, if batteries need to be used for long periods or continuously (e.g., smartwatch, cell phone, laptop), a primary battery is not suitable.
The primary battery has a very low self-discharge rate if charging is impossible before initial use. This is an important characteristic of a primary battery. On the other hand, secondary batteries waste energy at faster speed than primary batteries. This is less significant in most applications due to recharge ability.
2. Power vs. Energy – A battery can provide discharge current over time, which is determined by its capacity. This is denoted by Ah or mAh.
When comparing chemical batteries, it’s a good idea to compare their energy density. To calculate the energy density, multiply its capacity with voltage. A 1.2 V nickel battery and a 3.2 V lithium battery have the same power, but the lithium-ion battery’s higher voltage improves energy.
In energy calculation, an open-circuit voltage is usually used if the battery voltage is disconnected to load. For example, battery voltage is not connected to a load. On the other hand, the drain rate has a major influence on energy and capacity. In theory, capacity is determined only by the active mass and active electrode materials. However, real batteries only achieve a fraction number owing to the existence of kinetic limitations and inactive materials. Such characteristics prevent the complete utilization of an active material.
High-capacity batteries, such as those used in a power tool or a vehicle starter battery, can discharge quickly at high drain rates. A high-capacity battery typically has a lower energy density.
3. Voltage – Another essential factor is the operating voltage, which is determined by electrode material. For both primary and secondary batteries, water-based electrolytes are used in the nickel-metal hydride, lead-acid, and zinc-carbon with nominal voltages (1.2-2 Volt). Moreover, organic electrolyte is used in lithium batteries, which have a nominal voltage (3.2-4 Volt).
It is important to note that few electronic components require at least 3 volts to operate. Because lithium battery chemistry has a greater operating voltage. In this case, one cell can be utilized instead of 2 or 3 water-based cells in order to achieve the required voltage.
4. Range of Temperature – In battery application, the range of temperature is determined by the battery chemistry. For example, Zinc-carbon cells (water-based) are unable to operate under 0°C. Zinc-carbon cells (Alkaline cells) show a dramatic decrease at 0°C. Lithium primary batteries can operate at -40°C, but performance suffers significantly.
Lithium-ion batteries in rechargeable applications can only be worked at its highest rate within a small temperature range of roughly 20°-45°C. Low voltages/currents are required outside of this range of temperature, following in more sustained charging periods.
Lithium-based batteries can explode due to short-circuiting from contaminants, high-heat charging, overcharging, or low-temperature charging. To tackle such a situation, especially to prevent the feared lithium dendritic plating issues, a trickle charge is required under 5°-10°C. In this way. It can reduce the risk of thermal runaway.
There are also the following factors:
5. Battery Memory: Batteries can be ‘trained’ (for lack of a better term) to hold less than their full charge capacity. If you regularly discharge a Nickel-Metal Hydride battery from full charge to 40% of its full charge capacity, it will eventually only be able to hold 60% of its original charge capacity.
6. Lifetime: A battery longevity is determined by two factors: charge life and total life. The charge life of a battery means how long potential energy will remain in the battery without leaking out. The total life of a battery is the number of charge cycles it can support.
7. Durability: External physical elements might have a significant impact on your battery’s performance. Impact, temperature, humidity, vibrations, magnetic fields, and other conditions make some battery chemistries more vulnerable than others.
8. Transportation, disposal restrictions – Lithium-based battery transportation is highly restricted. Certain battery chemistries must also be disposed of according to regulations. For high-volume applications, this can be a factor to consider.
9. Cost – You may need to compromise a cost-sensitive battery due to superior performance characteristics. This is especially true for applications that require a large number of disposable items.
10. Shape and physical size – Coin/button cells, pouch cells, prismatic cells, and cylindrical cells are the most common size forms for batteries.
11. Chemistry – Cell chemistry is responsible for many of the traits listed above. In the next installment of this blog series, we’ll look at some of the most prevalent battery chemistries.
12. Shelf life – This is how long a battery remains in a warehouse or on a shelf before being used. The shelf life of primary batteries is significantly longer than that of secondary batteries. Secondary batteries, on the other hand, have the potential to be recharged, hence shelf life is usually more crucial for primary batteries. When recharging isn’t possible, make an exception.
Determine a battery size correctly
To figure the battery size, you’ll need to calculate your daily use and divide by dc volts (watts/day) (in volts). Allowing some batteries, particularly lead-acid batteries, to drop below 50% is not recommended. To calculate the lowest required power, divide the amp/day value by 0.5. When compared to working with 12 V, working with 24 V enables you to divide the amount of power required. It’s sufficient to have more power if you’re running multiple devices at once.
Check the measurements of your battery
Before purchase, we recommend that you compare the size and type of your current battery to the size and kind of your new battery.
If you’re not sure what size battery you need and can’t find it in your log book, use this handy illustration as a guide.
Each battery’s measurements are displayed on the battery product page, which can be reached using the More details buttons.
To ensure that your battery lasts as long as possible, make sure you select a battery that is compatible with your needs.
What are the different kinds of batteries?
Theoretically, all electrochemical cells and batteries can be divided into two categories:
- Primary (non-rechargeable)
- Secondary (rechargeable)
These two types of batteries are the basic types, despite the fact that there are countless different classifications within these two types of batteries. Simply said, Primary Batteries are non-rechargeable, meaning they cannot be recharged electrically, but Secondary Batteries are rechargeable, meaning they can be recharged electrically.
Primary Batteries
A primary battery is a simple and convenient power source for a variety of portable electronic and electrical equipment such as lights, cameras, watches, toys, radios, and so on. They are of the “use it and throw it away” kind because they cannot be recharged electrically.
Primary batteries are often low-cost, light-weight, compact, and easy to use, requiring little or no maintenance. The majority of single-cell primary batteries used in home applications are cylindrical and have a single cell structure (although, it is very easy to produce them in different shapes and sizes).
Secondary Batteries
A secondary battery is sometimes known as a rechargeable battery since it may be recharged electrically after being discharged. By delivering a current through the electrochemical cells in the opposite direction of their discharge, the chemical status of the cells can be “recharged” to its original state.
Other types of secondary batteries exist, but the four most common are:
- Nickel – Cadmium Batteries
- Nickel – Metal Hydride Batteries
- Lead – Acid Batteries
- Lithium – Ion Batteries
Why Secondary Batteries are more popular?
Although primary batteries are more expensive, they hold the benefit of being more cost-effective in the long run. Secondary batteries often have a lower capacity and initial voltage, as well as a flat discharge curve, faster self-discharge rates, and varied recharge life ratings. Secondary batteries typically have more active (less stable) chemistries that necessitate specific care, storage, and disposal.
What are the advantages of using alkaline batteries?
Lithium manganese dioxide (Li-MnO2) and zinc manganese dioxide (Zn-MnO2) are the most common alkaline batteries (Li-MnO2). They are primarily utilized in the home. There are two common battery cell types: button cell and cylindrical. However, such batteries are commonly used in portable devices (low-power), such as toys, clocks, flashlights, remote controls, and so on because of their size and weight.
Benefits:
- Available
- Economical
- Acceptable energy density
Drawbacks:
- Normally, not rechargeable
What are the advantages of using a nickel battery?
Nickel-metal hybrid batteries (NiMH) have practically fully replaced nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries due to their lower environmental impact. Ni-Cd batteries are difficult to recycle due to the presence of cadmium. NiMH batteries can be fully exhausted without causing them to fail.
Such batteries have some disadvantages, for instance, low capacity. As a result of this characteristic, they are more suited to portable devices with limited battery life.
Benefits of Ni-Cd batteries:
- Lighter than lead batteries
- Internal resistance is low, resulting in a high energy density and rapid charging capacity.
- Very high temperatures are not a problem for this material. They can be adapted with temperature -20° to +40°C.
- Up to a 20-year lifespan
Drawbacks of Ni-Cd batteries :
- Autonomy is average
- Before recharging, batteries are totally discharged due to the memory effect.
- Cadmium and Nickel are hazardous metals that pollute the environment. The cost of battery disposal and recycling is high.
- Higher price
Benefits of NiMH batteries:
- More independence
- Experiencing memory loss is less common.
- Ni-Cd is similar.
Drawbacks of NiMH batteries:
- Self-discharge is an option.
- Higher price
What are the advantages of using a lead battery?
In an automotive starter battery, a lead acid battery is ideal since it has the requisite high rate capability. It would, however, be an awful choice for a portable electronics application due to its toxicity and low energy density.
Lead batteries are classified into two categories:
- Gel electrolyte is used to seal lead-acid batteries. They offer the advantage of being maintenance-free and simple to handle (no leaks), with manufacturer-controlled stability. At 80 percent discharge, they typically give roughly 400 cycles.
- Sulphuric acid electrolyte mixed with water is used to open lead-acid batteries. This sort of battery is distinguished by its dependability and the fact that it employs a technology that has been well-known and mastered since the nineteenth century. The downside of these batteries is that they are affected by temperature variations. Their electrolyte dissipates over time, therefore they need to be refilled with distilled water on a regular basis.
Benefits:
- Low self-discharge rate, 5 to 10% per month
- Cheap
- No memory issue
- Good lifespan
- Constancy
Drawbacks:
- Energy density is low.
- Requires regular upkeep (only open batteries)
- Cold sensitivity
- Lack of autonomy
- Heavy
Applications:
- Rail and automobile vehicles (including trucks), airplanes, satellites, and other industry equipment
What are the advantages of using a lithium battery?
Lithium batteries offer a variety of types: Lithium-ion (Li-ion), Lithium polymer (Li-Po), Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4).
Benefits:
- The memory effect is limited.
- A wide range of shapes are available.
- Self-discharge is extremely low.
- Long life expectancy
- Rechargeable
- Maintenance-free
- High energy density
Drawbacks:
- Even if you don’t use it, it will wear out.
- Transportation restrictions are very strict.
- Expenses are higher than for other forms of technology.
Applications:
- Energy is transportable (e.g., batteries, converters, power packs)
- Adaptability (electric bicycles, electric vehicles, robotics, aeronautics, drones, boats, etc.)
- Applications that run on their own (traffic lights, radar speed signs, security cameras, parking meters, lighting of public spaces, etc.)
- Can be used to store electric energy
- Solar and wind energy can be stored.
Conclusion
When choosing a battery, there are numerous factors to consider. Several are chemistry-related, while others are concerned with battery design and assembly. This makes the batteries metric comparison more difficult and sometimes worthless without a deeper understanding of the elements that influence that metric, which we’ll cover in the next blog in this series.