Why Most Batteries Weaken and Die Young | 8 Reasons – Uganda

Every battery is indeed supposed to weaken with use and eventually become too weak to hold power or die but the problem is that some batteries simply die young. Many people who have reached out to us in recent weeks wanting to buy new batteries tell us that their previous batteries weakened so much within 6 months and were completely dead by the end of 1 year.

Under recommended conditions, Lithium batteries (or powder as some people tend to call it) last more than 10 years, Gel batteries more than 5 years and Lead Acid Batteries are typically made with enough charge cycles to last 3-5 years.

However, the following can cause any of them to weaken and eventually die within months or a few years;

  1. The battery is substandard or counterfeit. Cheap counterfeits and substandard batteries are generally more susceptible to rapid degradation as the makers care more about quick sales. If your battery becomes weak and dies quickly, the battery may be counterfeit or of poor quality.
  2. Extreme temperatures. Both extreme heat and extreme cold temperatures cause  batteries to become weaker much faster. The rate depends on the battery type, with Lithium batteries being more tolerant of extreme temperatures. Always check the manufacturer’s guide for the temperature tolerance of your battery.

  3. Over-charging the battery. Overcharging of a battery occurs when a battery is exposed to a charging voltage or current that exceeds its safe limits for an extended period. This can be prevented by using the right charge controller and following the manufacturer’s guidelines for charging the battery.

  4. Keeping the battery connected to the charging port when fully charged can have the same effect. To prevent your battery from overcharging, disconnect it from the charging point as soon as it is fully charged and avoid charging batteries overnight.

  5. Over-discharging the battery is simply called deep discharge. This is the grandmother of the causes of battery weakening in Uganda. No matter what battery type or brand it is, and irrespective of whether it is labelled “Deep Cycle” or not, avoid draining your battery below 20% if you want it to last long. Keeping it between 50% and 30% at all times will give you the best results.

  6. Under-charging the battery. Not fully charging your battery can accelerate its weakening as it results in increased internal resistance and, the formation of lead sulfate crystals on the battery’s plates. Undercharging the battery also increases the chances of over-discharging the battery.

  7. Frequent partial charging, rather than allowing a battery to go through full charge and discharge cycles, can lead to a phenomenon called “battery memory effect.” This causes the battery to remember its smaller capacity, resulting in a quicker perceived weakening of the battery.

  8. High Current Drain. Because the battery carries 2kWh does not mean that you should use it up within 20 minutes as you power heavy machinery. Every battery is made with a limit on the rate of current drain. Using your device for power-intensive tasks or heavy gaming can lead to high current drain, causing the battery to heat up and age more rapidly. This can lead to premature weakening and capacity loss.
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