Golf Master Tips, The Death of Lithium Golf Trolley Batteries - These days, golfers are relying heavily upon lithium batteries to use their golf trolleys around the course. This is not surprising, as lithium batteries are more lightweight, last longer, have higher capacity, and need lower maintenance than the conventional golf batteries.
However, just like any other battery, a lithium battery does not last forever. Although lithium golf trolley batteries come with tempting longevity period, they are bound to die later or sooner. A few factors do lead to the death of these golf batteries.
The Death of Lithium Golf Trolley Batteries
If the electrolyte additives are improper, electrodes are bound to degrade over time. Further, even pressure loss in cells results in motorized degradation, which is often due to cell design defect. Both the causes can lead to premature battery failure or loss of driving range. However, these unwanted effects only become noticeable after using the product for a few years.
Suggested Solution: Correct additives and meticulous cells design certainly minimize mechanical degradation. By adding the right additives, the internal resistance is reduced though minimized corrosion and performance is improved in both low and high temperatures.
While at charge, lithium moves to the negative electrode also called the graphite anode due to which the potential of voltage is altered. A layer of lithium atoms gets accumulated on the anode's surface, which is called Solid Electrolyte Interface or SEI.
This layer contains lithium carbonate and lithium oxide. With the rise in the number of battery cycles, the SEI layer also becomes thicker. The increasing thickness eventually becomes a barrier that hinders contact with graphite. The growth of this barrier over time can cause golf trolley batteries to die finally.
Suggested Solution: To control the SEI growth on the anode, adding 1-2% vinylene carbonate is recommended.
While the anode develops the SEI layer, the cathode or positive electrode interacts with a similar obstructive layer. This layer is called electrolyte oxidation. It is caused when a voltage is over 4.10v per cell due to high heat. In simple words, retaining the cells at a high temperature as well as at high voltage is the major cause of electrolyte oxidation.
The ultimate effect of this oxidation is sudden breakdown that can do more damage than cycling. The more the time a battery spends its life with this oxidation, the worse is the degradation. The build-up of oxidation triggers a sudden capacity loss that cycling alone cannot foresee.
Suggested Solution: To control oxidation on the cathode, adding 1-2% vinylene carbonate is recommended.
Paul Rolland writing about lithium batteries. Of the various batteries available in the market, I put forth my views on how to improve the use of batteries to get the maximum out from them.
