What is 18650 NMC Battery Voltage?
18650 NMC batteries have a nominal voltage of 3.6 volts, a maximum charge voltage of 4.2 volts and a minimum discharge voltage of 2.5 volts. These batteries are widely used in a variety of applications including electric vehicles and portable devices due to their high energy density and cost effectiveness.
The voltage range of 18650 NMC batteries is between 3.6 volts and 4.2 volts, which is higher than the voltage range of 18650 LFP batteries (3.2 volts to 3.65 volts). This higher nominal voltage allows fewer cells in series, reducing the complexity and cost of the system.
To charge a 18650 NMC battery you need to use a special CC-CV charger. The maximum charging voltage of an NMC 18650 battery is typically 4.2 volts and the minimum voltage is 2.5 volts. However, it is recommended not to discharge below 2.5 volts to avoid damage to the battery. Overcharging the NMC 18650 above 4.2 volts will cause an overpotential, which may cause unwanted reactions within the cell. It is important to choose a good BMS (battery management system) to prevent overcharging or over-discharging the battery.
How to Charge 18650 Battery?
18650 NMC batteries, as mentioned above, are rechargeable and can be used in a variety of applications, including portable devices and electric vehicles. Their nominal voltage is 3.7 volts, their maximum charge voltage is 4.2 volts and their minimum discharge voltage is 2.5 volts. To charge an 18650 NMC battery, you can use a charger specifically designed for 18650 batteries. The charging process involves connecting the battery to the charger and letting it charge until it reaches the maximum charging voltage of 4.2 volts. It is very important to use a charger with compatible voltage and current rating to avoid damaging the battery.
When using an 18650 NMC battery, it is very important to monitor the voltage level to ensure it remains within the safe operating range. Overcharging or over-discharging the battery can cause it to degrade over time and reduce its performance. A Battery Management System (BMS) helps prevent the battery from dropping below the minimum voltage of 2.5 volts during discharge. To select suitable chargers, the number of series in the battery pack and the capacity of the battery are important. The maximum charging voltage is taken as 4.2 V and when you multiply this value by the number of series in your battery, you will determine the Voltage of the charger you will choose for your battery.
Below we have determined the values of the charger you will choose for a sample battery pack.
- Let’s specify a charger for the 4S4P (14.4 V 10Ah) HDA NMC BATTERY PACK made with HDA POWER 18650 NMC 2500 mAh Battery.
- In our battery pack (battery) 4 batteries are connected in series and 4 batteries are connected in parallel.
- The maximum charging voltage of NMC batteries is 4.2 V. So you can choose your NMC Charger as 4*4.2V = 16.8 V for 4 series in the battery pack (battery).
- The capacity of the battery pack in the example is given as 10 Ah. The A value of the charger determines how long it takes to charge your battery pack. For example, for these values, we have determined the voltage as 16.8V, and if we choose the A value as 5 A, our battery pack will be full capacity in 2 hours.
- Our battery pack in the example is 12.8V 10Ah and we chose our NMC charger as 16.8V 5A.
- The capacity of the battery we gave in the example is 10Ah and the charger we chose is 5 A. So we are charging this battery at 0.5C and this value is at normal levels. A value that will not consume the life of our battery pack quickly.
- NOTE: The life of batteries can be shortened during fast charging. In general, the normal charge value coefficient is preferred between 0.2 C and 0.5 C.
In the example, we conveyed the charger of a simple battery pack and the parameters that need to be done in technical terms without elaborating. You can contact HDA Power or HDA Enerji team from the contact page for your battery packs like this and more complex battery packs – projects.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Charge 18650 Battery
How Often Should I Charge 18650 Batteries?
Take care to charge 18650 NMC batteries at regular intervals without discharging them completely.
What Type of Charger Should I Use for 18650 Batteries?
You should use lithium ion chargers designed for 18650 NMC batteries.
Why is Battery Voltage Important?
Battery voltage is important for the safe and healthy operation of batteries. Keeping the battery within a certain voltage range protects its performance and lifespan.