What battery health is normal? Guide to battery health check
Batteries power multiple products nowadays, and even though they don’t need a lot of maintenance, they should be checked regularly and monitored to keep them in good shape and protect users.
There are many types of batteries used on different products like electronic devices, power tools, and even vehicles. Among those types we have lithium-ion batteries, thanks to their capacities and especially being lightweight, they are mounted on products we use in our everyday life.
They are used for work, navigation, security, and many other applications. Computers, and mobile phones occupy a major place in our routine, that’s the reason they should be available when we need them and that actually means they should have enough power.
Running out of battery is a challenge people face every day. Many battery manufacturers are racing to develop technologies capable of solving this problem. But no matter how your battery is good, you have to keep an eye on it to know how it’s performing and when to replace it.
How can I monitor my battery pack health
There are many ways to monitor and check the health of your battery. Most electronic devices like computers and mobile phones have operating systems with access to battery functioning data. They provide a full picture about energy consumption and could control capacities and inform user in case of a malfunction.
You can also check your lithium-ion battery’s health by measuring voltage using a voltmeter. You compare the results with standard parameters on the specification mentioned on the battery, if there is a significant difference it means there is a problem.
The other common ways to check health are monitoring charge and discharge time and of course heat. If lithium-ion batteries overheat it’s a sign of anomaly and they may catch fire so it is recommended that one takes caution.
How do I run a battery diagnostic
Smartphones and computers are equipped with lithium-ion batteries, their lightweight and high capacities make them perfect for users seeking fast charge and longer in-use time.
Checking methods and ways depend on the product:
•Lithium-ion batteries used on Electric vehicles, solar panels, power stations… usually have a battery management system. It gives information about: battery pack voltage and current signals, temperature. This allows the user to identify any problem by comparing provided data with battery specs.
•In case of a laptop with windows 10, you can check your battery’s health by doing the following steps:
i.Go to start button
ii.In search write: PowerShell and open it
iii.Type the commend: powercfg/batteryreport and press enter
Why my battery is draining so fast
Different reasons can explain fast-draining on batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are known for their high capacity so if they don’t last long, that means something is wrong. In general, fast-draining may be caused by high-brightness of the laptop screen.
It’s proven that the screen consumes a lot of energy and it’s recommended to adjust the brightness or set it on automatic. For battery packs it is possible to check whether the battery used in the device itself is faulty. It may be a second-hand battery, aging fast.
There may also be a problem with individual batteries or a problem with the protection board, which needs to be checked by a professional.
What kills your battery health
Lithium-ion batteries are powerful, but even so, they should be used in the appropriate way to provide steady energy otherwise they lose capacity and die.
The number one enemy of a battery is high temperature, overheating and exposure to sun or a heat source may reduce health and even cause fires and explosions in the cells. Using an inappropriate charger for a long while will disturb the battery’s cycles and affect its health.
In addition to that, long-term storage in a humid environment will also affect battery performance.
What does a BMS do
A BMS, or Battery Management System, is an electronic system that controls rechargeable batteries. The BMS monitors the battery, or the pack if many are assembled together, allowing it to operate in its safe operating area avoiding any disruption, it regularly checks its state and provides reports to the user.
How do I keep my battery healthy
You can keep your battery healthy by avoiding all factors that may reduce its life cycle. The first thing to do is to follow the battery manufacturer’s manual, it describes the product and gives precious advice. Use the original charger or a completely similar one.
Avoid over-discharge, if the capacity drops to 20%, try to plug the charger as fast as possible. Keep away from heat sources as they damage the internal cells in the case of lithium-ion batteries. Always monitor any weird changes, it may be a sign of incoming trouble.
Can you increase battery health
The life of the lithium battery cannot be increased, and the battery capacity will only decrease and not increase when stored there. It can only be used properly to maintain its performance and prevent the battery from depleting too quickly.
Some practices can help maintain your battery’s health. When using the battery, pay attention to whether its working temperature is within the range, use a dedicated charger and charge it in time when the battery capacity is low, but the link device should match. When a device overheats from excessive use, it would be better to stop for a while and let it cool down.
How to deal with unhealthy battery
Well, an unhealthy battery could mean it’s approaching the end of its life. In this case, you have to handle the battery carefully. Lithium-ion batteries are classified as environmentally friendly but that doesn’t mean they can be ditched anywhere. There are special containers designed to ditch batteries so they could be recycled. You have to separate them from domestic waste and get rid of them in specific locations.
To sum it up
Battery health could be maintained by paying attention to the mentioned advices. Monitor temperature to avoid overheat and remember as a user, some wrong practices may kill the battery so be careful.
