Optimate say: Never jump-start a lithium battery | NEWS
As winter starts to take hold, many modern scooter owners will start to suffer issues related to the battery on their scooter. After all, a faulty battery is the number one cause of breakdowns in the UK, according to the AA.
With many aftermarket batteries (and some OEM) ones being replaced with lithium, (LiFePO4) riders need to know how to care for them because it’s easy to damage both the battery and the electrical system of your machine.
Why are lithium batteries different?
A lithium battery is much lighter (up to 70%) and can be smaller in size than a lead-acid equivalent. They can also come with a lower Ah rating (Amps per hour is how much amperage a battery can provide per hour), meaning they may discharge quicker than a conventional ‘wet’ battery. The good news is that they often come with a built-in BMS (Battery Management System) so the battery will shut down before it’s completely flat meaning it can be re-charged without problems (unlike a flat, old lead-acid battery).
If your scooter isn’t being used frequently (or the battery is old/faulty) and power is being drained by an immobiliser/alarm/tracker or another accessory then the battery will go flat quicker than you might expect.
Can I jump start it?
It’s not advised to jump-start a lithium battery, the high-voltage shock can kill them. It also has the potential to make the battery swell and can even make them explode.
Can I use an ordinary charger?
You should avoid using just any old charger when charging lithium batteries. Instead, use a charger designed specifically (or one that at least has a lithium setting) for them. A charger like the OptiMate Lithium 0.8A is the safest way to recharge or maintain your lithium battery. It charges slowly to avoid overheating and balances each of the four 3.2V cells inside the battery until fully charged.
OptiMate does a range of chargers and smart chargers for both conventional and lithium batteries. The OptiMate Lithium 0.8 charger costs much less than most new batteries at £64.99, and their OptiMate Duo charges both lead-acid and lithium, that one costs £42.99.
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