Comments on: Lithium-Ion, It's light, It's powerful, It's….

By: Nicholas Bodley

Nicholas Bodley — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:01:31 +0000

The XO laptop computer (One Laptop Per Child, OLPC) uses LiFePO_4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries. Apparently the only other common use for them is in electric bicycles. Why they aren't more generally used, I don't know.
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Btw, a "heads up" on spelling: you meant "lose"; it's a very common misunderstanding. "To loose" means to remove restraints, to free up, to release. Also, "it's" means "it is". Seems that almost everybody is confused about that one! Please feel free to edit out this second part of the message, btw. Regards, — nb

By: downsystem

downsystem — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:23:13 +0000

My experiance is that lithium polymer is far better battery technology so far. I recently bought a xds plus digital wireless system for my guitar and it last for 5.5 hours on a duracell battery, but on a nimh rechargable battery it last for like 1.5 hours. So this wasnt exceptable and i searched and found the lithium polymer 9 volt rechargables that were rated at 520 mah. These batteries charged in 1.5 hours on the special charger it comes with. So far the handfull of times ive recharged them, each charge has lasted almost six hours.

In my oppinion this li polymer tech will be the next type of batteries will be buying once the price comes down. It think i paid like 26 dollors for two but its so far been worth it, because its no fun having a battery die in the middle of band practice, and equally not fun is having to continually buy 9 volt alkalines just to be wireless.

By: Steve Hogan

Steve Hogan — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:57:47 +0000

Good question Roy, I think Lithium-Polymer is getting a push because of recent improvements in output and for use with power tools and maybe even transportation. It has great burst power potential. Think it just needs some more improvement to charge time. I view it as a part of Lithium technology although I know polymer has some challenging and promising differences to ion.

By: Steve Hogan

Steve Hogan — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:10:06 +0000

I'm sure there are individual differences but for most the chart is accurate. Li has a general overall life of 2 years. I know that's not always the case as I have laptop batteries that still hold a charge after that time but they are the exception. There are many misconceptions floating around about how to extend batteries life of all types. Li fall right in the middle on shelf life.

By: Ron Graves

Ron Graves — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:51:02 +0000

Michael VanGilder has a point. I have Ni-Cd batteries that are about three years old, and they just won't hold a useful charge.

Li-Ion batteries, by the way, live far longer, in use, if recharged well before they're discharged. Topping-up rather than full discharge-recharge cycles is about the only way you'll get close to the manufacturers' claimed life.

By: Michael VanGilder

Michael VanGilder — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:48:49 +0000

when in your chart, you mention Shelf life, I think it may be off by one carriage return. Are not Li batteries are almost indeffinate while Ni-Cd badderies are Poor? At least I always thought so. You have the oppisite listed.

Michael
mvangild@comcast.net

By: Roy Hartley

Roy Hartley — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:05:57 +0000

What about Lithium Polimer. It has an overall better life than Lithium Ion. Lithium Ion only lasts a couple of years if that, therefor i try to avoud these batteries.

By: Cliff Haynes

Cliff Haynes — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:43:39 +0000

Very informative & well thought out.
Keep up the great work.
Thank you for the information.

By: Lisa Smith

Lisa Smith — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:57:09 +0000

Great article. Keep the information coming!