Innovation Brings The New Battery Supercharge: 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.

So called ‘memory’ was not a problem with the Lithium Polymer or ion Polymer batteries. This allowed the batteries to last far longer, even years. Mostly these batteries are used in personal electronics. Your cell phone battery might be a slim rectangle with two contacts at one end, in which case it is one of the most common Lithium ion Polymer cells.

Remote control hobbyists use a different type of the battery that is made up of two or possibly three cells. Hobbyists favor these batteries because they weight one third what and old Nickel Cadmium or Nickel Metal Hybrid battery. This lesser mass combined with a superior capacity gave the batter nearly three time the life.

Those who build custom motorcycles have also jumped at this opportunity for a smaller lighter battery than the traditional lead acid auto batteries that they used before. The less clunky batteries leave more room for other equipment on the motorcycle. The battery also weights about a quarter of what a lead acid battery would weigh. When the battery does eventually have to be discarded of it is less toxic than traditional auto batteries. Due to its advance charge capabilities the battery will continue to work through more attempts to start the motorcycle than most starters.

When using a battery you must be very aware of the safety hazards to get the best use of your battery. The batteries build up heat while they are charging and should never filled with a turbo charger or left unattended during charging. If using a trickle charger the batteries require a balancer, which is often built into the charger, to ensure that all cells charge equally and that the battery is at its best performance.

It is also very important to never use a battery that has been damaged as there is a high risk of explosion.

If you are careful and follow the safety guideline of the batteries the can last you indefinitely, they are lighter and longer lasting that Nickel Cadmium or Nickel Metal Hybrid batteries. The more environmentally friendly, lighter and more durable than lead acid batteries. Whether you are flying remote control planes, building a custom motorcycle or texting your best friend the Lithium ion Polymer battery has changed the way we use battery powered electronics.

If you want to learn more about the energy performance of a lithium polymer batteries, you should find them all over the Internet. When you use a lithium polymer battery, you will be delighted with the performance.