Replacing Your Lithium-Ion Battery

Rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries are responsible for a significant improvement in consumer electronics. Lithium-Ion batteries are lighter than previous batteries and have no "memory effect" like previous batteries did. These facts alone represent a significant gain for consumers when Lithium-Ion batteries are installed in electronic equipment like personal music players or laptop computers.

Consumer Replaceable vs. Non-consumer Replaceable

Unfortunately, like all batteries, Lithium-Ion batteries degrade over time. Lithium-Ion batteries lose approximately 10% of their useful capacity each year whether the batteries are used or not. Eventually your Lithium-Ion battery will need to be replaced to keep your electronic device working acceptably. This is where it sometimes becomes frustrating. While some Lithium-Ion batteries (like those in laptop computers and mobile phones) are consumer replaceable, many are not. Many personal music players, PDAs, and other similar electronics are equipped with installed, rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries that cannot be replaced by the consumer. Check the manufacturers documentation if you have any question about whether your devices Lithium-Ion battery is consumer replaceable.

Replacing Consumer Replaceable Lithium-Ion Batteries

Consumer replaceable Lithium-Ion batteries are usually quite easy to replace. The procedure for replacing the battery is exactly the same as for any other type of battery. Consult your manufacturers documentation if you are uncertain where your Lithium-Ion battery is located or how to replace the battery.

Purchasing a replacement Lithium-Ion battery may be an unpleasant surprise, however. Lithium-Ion batteries cost, on average, about 40% more than comparable Nickel Cadmium batteries. This fact alone keeps many people from replacing their Lithium-Ion batteries when they age. Since the average life of a Lithium-Ion battery is three years many consumers simply replace the electronic equipment when the battery begins to fail.

You may find it tempting to search for a discount, replacement battery when you replace your Lithium-Ion battery. Keep in mind though that Lithium-Ion batteries age from the day they are manufactured - not the day they are installed. If the new Lithium-Ion battery you purchase has been sitting on a shelf for two or three years it is probably in no better shape than the battery you are replacing!

Replacing Non-consumer Replaceable Lithium-Ion Batteries

Unfortunately, the majority of rechargeable, Lithium-Ion equipped electronics sold today are designed with batteries that cannot be replaced by the consumer. This means that, even if your device is still under warranty, you must send the device to a repair center for battery replacement.

There is an entire industry springing up to meet Lithium-Ion battery replacement needs. An Internet search will produce many results for Lithium-Ion battery replacement options. Some of these companies offer discount prices for Lithium-Ion battery replacement. It is probably a good idea to have either the original manufacturer or an authorized repair center replace your Lithium-Ion battery though. Unauthorized repairs or maintenance on electronic devices usually voids the manufacturers warranty on the device.

Eventually your Lithium-Ion battery will need to be replaced. Remember to verify that any battery you install in your electronic device meets manufacturers requirements.