Quand remplacer une batterie au lithium-ion ?

As gadgets and devices increasingly use lithium ion batteries, knowing when to replace them becomes more important. After all, you want your battery to last as long as possible.

But lithium ion batteries don’t last forever. At some point, their capacity and performance start to drop. And when that happens, it’s time to replace them.

Dans ce poste, en tant que professionnel fabricant de batteries au lithium, I’ll cover everything you need to know about when to swap out your lithium battery, including:

• How lithium ion batteries work
• The signs your battery needs replacing
• Battery testing tips
• Cost of replacement batteries

Plus plenty more lithium ion battery replacement basics. Let’s dive in!

Fonctionnement des piles au lithium-ion

Before we get into when to replace lithium batteries, it helps to understand what’s going on inside them.

Lithium ion batteries have three main components:

• The anode
• The cathode
• The electrolyte

The anode and cathode store the lithium. The electrolyte transfers ions between the electrodes.

As you use a lithium ion battery, the lithium ions move between the anode and cathode. That flow of ions is what provides power.

But over time, some of the material inside a lithium battery degrades. And the anode and cathode can’t hold as many lithium ions.

That reduction of “storage capacity” causes the battery to die more quickly between charges. And it’s why you eventually need to replace lithium batteries even if you take good care of them.

Now let’s talk about…

The Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Lithium Ion Battery

Lithium ion batteries last around 500 full charge cycles.

But other things (like heat exposure) also impact battery lifespan. So it’s tricky to predict exactly how long your battery will last.

That said, there are a few key signs that indicate it’s time to replace your lithium battery.

1. Shortened Runtime

The biggest indicator is faster battery drain.

For example, let’s say your phone used to last all day on a full charge. But lately the battery dies by 3 or 4pm.

That happens because the battery holds less power. And it likely means your phone’s lithium battery needs replacing soon.

Now runtime reductions won’t happen instantly. Expect lithium battery life to slowly decrease over weeks or months as capacity fades.

2. Temps de charge plus longs

It’s normal for charging to get slower as a lithium battery ages. That happens because the battery can’t absorb as many lithium ions as efficiently.

But if your device takes WAY longer to charge to 100%, that suggests it may be time for a battery replacement.

3. Swelling or Deformities

Lithium ion batteries contain flammable liquid electrolytes. And manufacturing defects can cause electrolyte leakage or gas accumulation inside the battery enclosure.

That buildup of pressure can deform your device’s battery and frame.

Slight battery bulging isn’t necessarily dangerous. But puffed or misshapen batteries often don’t last as long.

And if the swelling is extreme, stop using the device ASAP. Ruptured lithium batteries can damage nearby components or cause serious injuries.

4. Extreme Temperature Sensitivity

Lithium ion batteries work best around room temperature or slightly cooler. Once charged, most lithium batteries self-discharge less than 3 percent per month when stored properly.

But degraded batteries discharge MUCH faster in hot or cold conditions.

For example, your device might die almost instantly if you leave it in a hot car. Rapid discharge like that means the battery needs attention.

Temperature sensitivity that bad likely means imminent battery failure. So go ahead and plan for a replacement.

5. Unexpected Shutdowns or Reboots

Another issue with aging lithium batteries is voltage instability.

Healthy batteries output steady voltage even as the charge level drops. But worn out batteries sputter — delivering power inconsistently.

That unsteady voltage flow causes devices to unexpectedly shut down or spontaneously reboot.

If your gadget starts randomly crashing, suspect the lithium battery first. Odd shut downs often stop once you replace the battery.

Those are the most common signs that a lithium battery nears the end of its useful life. But how can you confirm if your battery needs replacing soon?

Testing Your Lithium Ion Battery Health

Waiting for your device to die to test battery health works. But it’s annoying… and risky if the battery fails at a critical moment.

Instead, use an app or external tester to check lithium battery capacity. Here are your options:

Built-in Battery Test Tools

Many phones and laptops include battery testing utilities:

• iPhone – Open Settings > Battery > Battery Health
• Android – Install the AccuBattery app
• Windows 10 – Open Settings > System > Battery
• MacOS – Open System Information > Power

These tools show current maximum capacity vs original capacity. If your battery dips under 80 percent of new, plan to replace it soon.

External Battery Testers

You can also use standalone battery testing devices:

• Cadex battery analyzers – Considered the gold standard, Cadex testers provide extremely detailed lithium battery health data. But they’re pricey at $300 to $1,000+.
• Inexpensive battery testers – More budget friendly testers in the $15 to $50 range generally provide basic voltage and capacity info. Useful for a rough battery health estimate.

I suggest external testing for devices without built-in tools. Just know cheaper testers usually aren’t as precise.

Now let’s talk about…

How Much Does Replacing a Lithium Ion Battery Cost?

The replacement cost for a lithium battery depends on a few factors:

• Battery size and type
• Whether you do it yourself or hire a repair shop
• If you need to replace other components

On the low end, many phone and tablet batteries cost $10 to $50. MacBook batteries run $100 to $200.

And boutique laptop batteries can run $300+. High capacity batteries for large drones or electric vehicles cost even more.

Here are typical lithium battery replacement costs:

Device	Battery Cost
Phone	$15 to $80
Tablet	$25 to $100
Laptop	$50 to $300
Power tool battery	$50 to $250
Electric bicycle	$100 to $1,500
Electric vehicle	$5,000 to $15,000

You’ll also pay a premium if you get your battery swapped at a repair shop instead of DIY replacing it. Expect to pay at least 2x the battery cost for installation.

And take into account that worn out batteries can damage linked components like voltage controllers. So your total replacement cost might exceed the list price of the battery itself.

The takeaway? Lithium ion batteries aren’t necessarily cheap to replace. But paying to revive your devices beats buying all new stuff.

Let’s wrap things up with…

When Should You Replace Your Lithium Ion Battery?

To maximize performance and lifespan of your rechargeable devices, plan to replace lithium batteries exhibiting any of the following:

• 20+ percent capacity loss
• Much slower charging times
• Noticeable battery swelling
• Extreme temperature sensitivity
• Unexpected shutdowns or spontaneous reboots

I suggest proactively testing lithium battery health once a year or so. That gives you lead time to buy replacement batteries BEFORE failure strands you deviceless.

And if your battery shows 80 percent or less of original full capacity, go ahead and replace it even if you haven’t had issues yet. That gives you a nice buffer to avoid getting caught with a dead device at a critical moment.

So that’s my take on when to replace lithium batteries! Let me know if you have any other battery replacement questions. I’m happy to help you keep your devices running strong.