Innovation Brings The New Battery Battery: Lithium Polymer Batteries
Lithium Polymer batteries were the next step from the Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) and Nickel Metal Hybrid (NiMH) batteries. While these batteries had served their purpose the developments in personal electronics created a need for lighter, longer lasting batteries. In 2002 the first of the Lithium ion Polymer batteries arrived. Though it is a secondary market for these batteries remote control and motorcycle hobbyists also jumped at the chance for a lighter, more advanced battery.
The heavier NiCad batteries developed a “battery memory” meaning that the battery would hold gradually less charge each time it was charged and discharged. Users were encouraged to fully drain the battery before recharging it but even so the over all life expectancy was not much better than about six months.
The Lithium Polymer ion Polymer batteries will not develop a memory at all, thus extending their expected life span to years. The primary application is in electronics like cell phones and laptops, and the most common Lithium ion Polymer cells are a slim rectangle with two tab-like contacts at one end.
The cells currently used by remote control devices such as airplanes and helicopters look different, coming in makes of two or three cells. Operators favor them because they have about one third the mass of NiCad or NiMH batteries and they get about triple the operation time between charges, both because the cell is lighter and because it hold more charge.
The batteries have also changed things for custom motorcyclists. The batteries take up far less room that a traditional battery on the motorcycle and weight about a quarter of what a lead acid battery would weigh. These batteries are also more environmentally friendly than traditional lead acid batteries when they do reach the end of their lifespan. The batteries superior charge capabilities make it possible to attempt to start the motorcycle enough times that the starter is no longer working before the battery stops working.
The battery is not totally safe however. With its tendency to accumulate heat while charging these batteries do represent a fire hazard and should not be left alone while charging. The batteries cannot be used with a turbo charger because they will explode. The multi-cell batteries require a balancer on even a trickle charger, often included in the charger, to be sure that they are at best performance. Another risk with Lithium ion Polymer batteries is that if they are run all the way to the zero mark the battery will not charge again.
It is vital that a damaged battery is never used because there is a risk of explosion. Keeping the battery protected and away from any kind of corrosive or water will help to maintain the life and safety of the battery.
Properly cared for, a Lithium ion Polymer battery will last for years. Lighter and holding more charge that its earlier counter parts, the Nickel Cadmium and Nickel Metal Hybrid batteries and more environmentally friendly the lead acid auto batteries, Lithium ion batteries have changed the way we use our personal electronics, motorcycles and radio control models.
If you want to find out more about the energy performance of a lithium polymer batteries, you can find them all over the Internet. When you use a lithium polymer battery, you will be delighted with the performance.