Lithium Battery Life: High Setting, Cold Weather & Insulation

[Johnny_B]

I got a lithium battery pack for my ski glove. On high it last for 2 hour, 4 hours for medium but on low it only last 3 hours. Why does the battery not working long on high? Does the cold weather affect the batteries from operating at its peaks power. Would it be better if I use some type of extra insulation around the battery pack so the battery would be cold.


thanks for the help.

 

[davenn]

hi johnny
welcome to the forums

the battery doesn't last as long on high because more current is being drawn from it, that reduces its operating time before a recharge

not sure why it would operate for less time on low than on medium, unless it's already been used for a while on one of the other power settings ??

cheers
Dave

 

[NascentOxygen]

I got a lithium battery pack for my ski glove. On high it last for 2 hour, 4 hours for medium but on low it only last 3 hours. Why does the battery not working long on high? Does the cold weather affect the batteries from operating at its peaks power. Would it be better if I use some type of extra insulation around the battery pack so the battery would be cold.

Hi Johnny_B! First, have you confirmed that the setting marked "LOW" is actually the lowest heat setting; maybe it is wrongly wired and is really the MEDIUM heat setting?

 

[Johnny_B]

What I meant to ask is why is the batteries not lasting longer on low setting.

I will do a test on each setting today and post up some result so that you can see. Sent from my iPhone using Physics Forums

 

[NascentOxygen]

What I meant to ask is why is the batteries not lasting longer on low setting.

Coincidently, that is the very conundrum I was addressing.

I will do a test on each setting today and post up some result so that you can see.

Good idea!

 

[mfb]

If the batteries are very cold (with "low" setting?), they can discharge quicker. On the other hand, this discharging should make them warmer, stopping the effect...

 

[NascentOxygen]

If the batteries are very cold (with "low" setting?), they can discharge quicker. On the other hand, this discharging should make them warmer, stopping the effect...

Are you talking about self-discharge? This over a period of months?

 

[mfb]

Self-discharge is not an issue within hours, but I think the internal resistance depends on the temperature, too.