How to Charge a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) Battery with Safety Tips

If you've recently purchased a lithium-ion battery or are planning to invest in one, you know the benefits they've: lightweight nature, more life cycles, and quick recharge times. Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations feature highly efficient and powerful LiFePO4 or NMC batteries that recharge faster and help you charge the appliances for long hours.

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus is an ideal fit for people looking for generous power for their off-grid appliances, while the smaller Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus and Jackery Solar Generator 500 are great choices for charging devices during short outdoor trips. While Li-ion batteries excel above their nickel-cadmium or lead-acid counterparts, you must carefully understand how to charge a lithium-ion battery for a longer lifespan.

In this guide, we will reveal what these lithium-ion batteries are and how you can charge them safely. We will also discuss how to recharge Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations both on and off-grid.

Products	Image	Capacity	Rated / Peak Power	Battery	Size
Explorer 3000 Pro		3024Wh	3000W (6000W Peak)	NMC	Length: 18.6 in (47.24 cm) Width: 14.1 in (35.81 cm) Height: 14.7 in (37.36 cm)
Explorer  2000 Plus		2-24 kWh	3000W (6000W Peak)	LiFePO4	Length: 14.7 in (37.36 cm) Width: 18.6 in (47.3 cm) Height: 14.1 in (35.94 cm)
Explorer 2000 Pro		2160Wh	2200W (4400W Peak)	NMC	Length: 15.1 in (38.4 cm) Width: 10.5 in (26.9 cm) Height: 12.1 in (30.75 cm)
Explorer 1000 Plus		1.25-5 kWh	2000W (4000W Peak)	LiFePO4	Length: 14 in (35.6 cm) Width: 10.24 in (26 cm) Height: 11.14 in (28.3 cm)

What is a Lithium-ion Battery?

Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable, lightweight, and can store more energy in less space. They are made of a cathode (positive end), anode (negative end), porous separator, and electrolyte. These batteries typically contain a lithium-metal oxide, like lithium-cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), that supplies lithium-ions.

Pros

• Lithium-ion batteries generally have a higher charge density than their counterparts, meaning they can store more energy without being heavy.
• Since lithium is the lightest of all metals, these batteries are light in weight and perfect for portable appliances.
• They are safer than lead-acid batteries.

Cons

• You need to use a compatible lithium-ion battery charger for powering.
• There are certain safety risks involved, such as overheating and overcharging.

How to Charge a Lithium-ion Battery?

If you own a Li battery, you might be wondering how to charge a lithium-ion battery efficiently. While there are many charging methods, it's recommended to use the manufacturer-provided charger. Since the charger is built with the battery in mind, it is the safest solution. Here are the five ways to charge the battery.

AC Electricity: It's the most common method to charge the Li battery with the standard wall outlet of your home. Simply plug the battery into the outlet and start recharging.

DC Power: This current type is usually supplied by an RV or car adapter and works with various devices. You'll need a cable to connect the vehicle's 12V DC outlet and the battery for current transfer.

USB-C: Some lithium-ion batteries can even be charged using USB-C ports. Simply connect the battery to any USB-C source, like an external battery, desktop computer, laptop, or a wall adapter.

Solar Panels: PV or solar panels are becoming a popular solution to charge lithium-ion batteries off-grid. They are relatively easy to set up and can efficiently convert the sun's energy into electricity to charge the battery. Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station supports charging via solar panels, a car charger, and an AC adapter.

EV Charging Stations: Many EVs use lithium-ion batteries, and some even utilize LiFePO4. That said, EVs can also charge Li-ions and LiFePO4 batteries — though only a few have this feature.

But how to charge a lithium-ion battery without a charger? If you do not have the manufacturer-recommended charger, you can choose any of the above methods to recharge the lithium-ion battery, like via a USB-C port, solar panels, or an AC adapter.

Best Practices for Charging a Lithium-ion Battery

While it is essential to understand how to charge a lithium-ion battery to make sure it lasts longer, it is also advised to follow some best practices while charging and storing them.

Charging Temperature and Environment

You should mainly watch out for the temperature during charging. Avoid leaving the lithium-ion battery in sweltering conditions, as excessive overheating can cause fire hazards.

The environment in which you keep the lithium-ion battery significantly affects its lifespan. As a general rule, it is advised not to leave these batteries in chilly rooms or hot cars, as the extreme temperatures can harm the overall battery lifespan.

Battery Storage and General Care

If you want to store the battery somewhere for an extended period, leave it with around 50% charge. In addition, it is essential to choose an area that's neither too hot nor cold.

Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations are easy to use and easier to recharge. The three best charging methods include Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, a car charger, and an AC adapter.

Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations Explained

Jackery is the global leader in manufacturing portable and highly efficient solar panels, power stations, and solar generators. The Jackery Solar Generator comprises a Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels that work in tandem to generate electricity using free sunlight.

The Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels have monocrystalline silicon solar cells that convert the direct sunlight that falls on it into electricity and transfer the electric current to the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations via solar cables. The built-in pure sine wave inverter is responsible for converting the DC current into usable AC electricity for powering appliances.

Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station has an NMC battery with a 3024Wh capacity. It's best known for its ultra-fast charging, portable design, and all-around safety. Using the 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels, you can fully recharge the power station in only 3.5 hours. It also supports charging via an AC adapter and a car charger (12V), which takes around 2.4 and 35 hours, respectively.

Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station is an expandable charging solution perfect for versatile scenarios, including off-grid living, RVing, etc. It has a battery capacity of 2042.8Wh and can be expanded to 24kWh with the help of an additional Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus. Like the other Jackery power stations, you can charge this powerful battery backup in three ways: Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, wall chargers, and car chargers. While both 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels or a wall charger take 2 hours to fully charge the LiFePO4 battery, the car charger takes 25 hours.

Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station has an NMC battery of 2160Wh capacity and a 2200W output. The home battery backup can efficiently charge 96% of your appliances for long hours. It can be recharged completely in 2 hours using an AC wall outlet, 2.5 hours with 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels, and 24 hours with a car charger.

Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station brings more power in a smaller size. It has a LiFePO4 battery with 1264Wh battery capacity and is capable of charging 99% of appliances. You can recharge the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus using Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, a car charger, or an AC adapter. With 4*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels, the battery can be fully recharged in only 2 hours. The wall charger is the fastest and takes only 1.7 hours to charge the power station.

Safety Precautions and Considerations

While dealing with lithium-ion batteries, it's essential to understand a few standard terms, such as voltage, charge rate, energy density, operating temperature range, service life, and safety. Here is a brief explanation of these terms.

• Voltage: The lithium-ion voltage typically resembles the inverter's voltage.
• Charge Rate: It is the speed at which you can safely recharge the battery. Lithium-ion batteries typically have a high charge rate, meaning they can be restored faster.
• Energy Density: Li-ion batteries generally have a high energy density, meaning even compact power stations can store more energy.
• Operating Temperature Range: It's a typical range that determines when you can safely charge and use the batteries.
• Service Life: The time for which the battery works to its full potential is called service life.
• Safety: While lithium-ion and LiFePO4 batteries are much safer than traditional batteries, you must follow some precautions while charging them.

When the lithium-ion battery is charging, the Li ions move from the positive cathode end to the negative anode through the electrolyte in the battery cell. This effect causes electrons to move from the anode to the cathode through the external battery circuit. The movement of lithium-ions and electrons from their respective positions produces energy supplied to the appliances.

When the lithium-ion battery gets damaged, charged inappropriately, or exposed to a heat source, it could catch fire and even explode. Similarly, continuing to charge the batteries after they are full can increase the chances of fire hazards. Here are a few security tips to help you recharge the battery safely.

• You must always follow the manufacturer's instructions to charge the battery properly.
• While many advanced batteries are built with overcharging protection, try not to exceed the recommended charging time to improve lifespan.
• Avoid charging defective or damaged batteries, as they can cause fire hazards.
• It's essential to allow batteries to cool down after use and even before recharging.
• Only use the charger recommended by the manufacturer to charge the battery.

Lithium-ion Battery Charging FAQs

Can I charge a lithium battery with a normal charger?

Although you can charge a lithium-ion battery with a standard charger with no automatic equalization mode and a maximum voltage setting, it's highly recommended to use a battery charger optimized for lithium batteries. When you charge with a compatible charger, it increases the battery's lifespan and even improves performance.

What is the standard battery rating?

The standard battery rating or the charge and discharge rates are generally governed by the C-ratings. The battery capacity is commonly rated as 1C, which means a fully recharged 1Ah battery should provide 1A for one hour.

What voltage should I charge a lithium-ion battery?

The ideal voltage at which you should charge a lithium-ion battery lies between 4.2V and 4.35V. However, the exact voltage may vary depending on the anode and cathode materials used while manufacturing the battery.

Can you overcharge a lithium battery?

Overcharged lithium batteries have higher chances of overheating, which leads to explosion or fire. A slight overcharging can reduce the discharge capacity of Li cells, which eventually increases heat generation and impedance while decreasing the cell lifetime.

What is the maximum charging current for a lithium-ion battery?

The minimum current value that lithium-ion batteries can charge under maximum conditions is typically referred to as the maximum battery charging current. Generally, the standard battery charging current equals 0.1C or 0.3C-0.4C.

Final Thoughts

There are multiple answers to how to charge a lithium-ion battery effectively. Some methods include household AC power supply (or on-grid electricity) and car chargers. You can even power your lithium-ion or LiFePO4 batteries with the help of PV or solar panels. For example, the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations built with either NMC or LiFePO4 batteries can be charged off-grid using the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels or car chargers and on-grid using AC adapters. If you want a reliable off-grid battery backup source for your electrical appliances, consider checking the Jackery product range.