How Small is a Lithium Battery?

Lithium battery sizes are about .2 x 3.8 x 4.5 inches for AA. The other batteries can be bigger or smaller depending on the type.

About Lithium Ion

These batteries are known for the high energy they contain. Compared to standard batteries, they last longer and are more powerful. That is the reason why it is used in cell phones, laptops and other gadgets. This was first used in 1991 by Sony.

Advantages

Compared to the standard nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad) batteries, those powered by lithium proved superior. Lithium is one of the most popular metals because it is very light.

That is why it has become very popular as a portable source of energy. Since the 1970s these batteries have been used in a non-rechargeable manner. One of the best known instances of this is the watch battery.

Charging

It took a while before lithium was adapted as a rechargeable battery. The problem is its instability when being charged. To solve the issue, the device utilizes ions instead of the metal. This is true regardless of what lithium battery sizes are used.

This makes the battery more steady. The combination of lithium and ions make the battery stable without losing too much power. These batteries are more than two times as powerful as the standard nickel-cadmium battery.

Memory Effect

Aside from being lighter and more powerful, the lithium ion or li-on batteries has other benefits. Unlike nickel-cadmium, the li-on battery is not afflicted with the memory effect. With the memory effect, a battery must be discharged fully prior to it being recharged.

The nickel-cadmium batteries always remember the last time they were charged up. What happens is the battery can only be charged to the level they remember. Some of the newer nickel-metal-hydride batteries have overcome this limitation. But they are not as powerful as those using lithium.

Other Information

No matter what lithium battery sizes are, make sure the battery is charged frequently. If you are using battery gauges, it may appear there is a memory effect. In fact, the problem is often with the gauge itself.

The lifespan of li-ion batteries depends on how long they are used. Some have a shelf life of ten years and will expire in that time whether used or not. But you can increase the lifespan of a battery if it is kept in a cool dry place. It is also a good idea not to store the batteries in places of extreme temperature.