How many volts would damage a cellphone battery?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the voltage and current specifications necessary for safely charging cellphone batteries, particularly focusing on the potential damage that could occur if these specifications are not adhered to. The conversation includes technical aspects of battery charging, safety concerns, and the variability of battery types.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to understand the voltage that could damage a cellphone battery and the average current required for charging.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the charging parameters depend on the specific battery type, noting that cellphone batteries are not standardized.
  • A participant warns against experimenting with charging methods, suggesting that incorrect charging can lead to severe consequences, including battery failure.
  • It is mentioned that Lithium-Ion batteries have specific charging requirements, and improper charging can lead to dangerous reactions.
  • One participant suggests researching the specifications of similar phones to determine safe charging parameters.
  • Another participant reiterates the risks associated with incorrect charging of Lithium-Ion and Lithium-Polymer batteries.
  • A later reply states that the maximum voltage a battery can handle is crucial and that exceeding this voltage can lead to damage.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of adhering to specific charging requirements for cellphone batteries, particularly Lithium-Ion types. However, there are multiple competing views regarding the exact voltage and current specifications, and the discussion remains unresolved on the precise limits.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the exact voltage and current limits for different cellphone batteries, highlighting the lack of standardization across models. There are also references to personal experiences with charging methods that may not be universally applicable.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in the technical aspects of cellphone battery charging, safety precautions, and the implications of using incorrect charging methods.

shoes
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I'm trying to charge my cellphone and would like to know how many volts would cause the cellphone battery damage? Also, how many amps would an average phone need to be charged?
 
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How are you trying to charge it?
 
Erk - don't try it if you value your battery.

The parameters depend strongly on the battery - cell-phone batteries are not built to a standard.
Generally you apply a very small current at a fixed voltage and the battery is charged when it's terminal voltage matches the supply voltage... so you seem to have the concepts backwards ... which contributes to the advise: don't try it. How you go about it is also important.

You can find someone with a similar phone and read what you need off their charger. Mine is rated 5V at 350mA. 5V is pretty standard but the current will vary between phones - I used to charge batteries with a variable PSU and a current divider - I'd start with a very low current through the battery and raise the parallel resistance until the battery got warm ... but then, I broke a lot of batteries figuring out the limits.

Work out the cost of a new battery against the cost of a new charger.
That's your risks.
 
shoes said:
I'm trying to charge my cellphone and would like to know how many volts would cause the cellphone battery damage? Also, how many amps would an average phone need to be charged?

Cell phone batteries these days are usually Lithium Ion. That type of battery has very specific charging requirements. doing it incorrectly can cause the battery to burst into flames or explode.
Do some google searching on Li-Io batteries

Dave
 
 
Last edited by a moderator:
nice one Borek

perfect demonstration of my warnings.
The Li-Io and Li-Po are both capable of that reaction if charged incorrectly

Dave
 
shoes said:
I'm trying to charge my cellphone and would like to know how many volts would cause the cellphone battery damage? Also, how many amps would an average phone need to be charged?

It depends the maximum voltage that your battery can bear.It can over the maximum voltage on your battery said.
 

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