Can you rebuild a lithium ion battery?

Today, lithium-ion batteries have become the first choice for various electronic devices. The advantages of lithium-ion batteries make them ideal for a variety of devices, from video cameras to laptops. But sometimes, we leave these batteries unused for a long time and then throw them away thinking they are dead. But that's not always the case. All the battery needs is a boot and it might start working again.

Therefore, here we will discuss the possibility of rebuilding, restoring and repairing Li-ion batteries. let's start.

Can you revive lithium-ion batteries?

Consumers must understand that lithium-ion batteries contain a protection circuit that protects the battery from death and abuse. It also shuts down the battery when it is overcharged. We all know that lithium-ion batteries will self-discharge under any circumstances. So when the battery pack goes into sleep mode, the battery is constantly drained.

If you're lucky enough to use a battery charger and an analyzer like Cadex, you'll get a wake-up feature built into the charger. This feature is used to power batteries that remain in ideal condition longer than usual. The charger sends a small charge to the protection circuit to reactivate it to reach the desired battery voltage. So, in this way, a lithium-ion battery pack that has been dormant can be brought back to life.

If the charger does not have this capability, the battery is deemed unusable and the battery pack is discarded without further investigation. However, the voltage range of Li-ion battery packs remains below 1.5 V/cell for at least a week. In this case, a copper shunt can form inside the battery and cause a partial or complete power shortage. Therefore, when refurbishing or restoring a battery pack, you need to be aware of certain factors that are critical to protection.

How to Repair a Failed Li-Ion Battery?

As we mentioned above, when updating Li-Ion batteries, we have to consider many factors. The battery is pressurized and the electrolyte is flammable, so you need to be extra careful. So instead of repairing the packaging alone, ask someone to help and follow the guidelines closely.

Before starting the repair process, you need to prepare a few things in advance. Gather the following tools:

goggles

Voltmeter

Li-ion battery charger

USB cable (just in case)

power source, such as another battery

alligator clip

Metal clips or paper clips

Once you have all the important items in hand, we can start the refurbishment process. One thing to keep in mind is that if you do not handle the battery pack carefully then you may have to suffer unintended consequences.

Step 1: Measure the voltage and shock the battery:

When the battery pack is in sleep mode, use the voltmeter to calculate the current reading. Service is the only way to start the battery pack at less than 1 V. We'll use another power source, another Li-Ion battery with the same voltage, and put them into the circuit. Get alligator clips and use them to connect the two batteries to each other.

Make sure to connect the positive to the positive and do the same for the negative. Now, let the batteries sit for about 10 to 15 minutes and keep an eye on them. After about 15 minutes, measure the voltage of the dead battery again and compare it to the previous reading. If the voltage increases a little, it means the battery pack can recover.

Step 2: Fully charge and discharge the battery:

Now insert the battery into the charger and wait patiently for the battery to charge gradually. Typically, the battery takes about 3 hours to charge properly. After the battery pack is charged, let it sit and discharge again. Use a device that places a heavy load on the battery, such as an LED flashlight, to drain the battery faster.

Step 3: Freeze a discharged battery:

The next step after discharge is to put the battery in a sealed bag and put it in the refrigerator for about 24 hours. Before putting the battery in the bag, remove the moisture. The next day, remove the battery pack and thaw it. Then leave the battery at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours.

Finally, charge the Li-Ion battery again and you'll see an improvement in battery performance. The battery pack is ready to be used again and will last longer between charge cycles.

How do I find a good lithium-ion battery rebuild service?

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a battery that can be repaired again. If the battery does not respond at all during charging, you need to find an experienced person to deal with it. There are many services that specialize in rebuilding and repairing lithium-ion batteries. When looking for rebuild services, keep the following in mind:

State-of-the-art facilities for reconstruction and repair work

government approval

Recycling services available as needed

Secondary Battery Grading and Balancing Services

A service that can create a second-life market for battery components

Battery recycling is one of the main aspects when you choose a rebuild service. There are many situations in which the battery will not recover. Therefore, they need to be completely disposed of. Lithium-ion batteries are not suitable for disposal in garbage or routine disposal because they are harmful to the environment. So make sure you get help from an expert and get your Li-Ion battery pack back in top shape.