We show you the best batteries and battery technologies for powering mobile applications with high current requirements.
With the development of new battery chemistries and technologies, high current capability and high energy density no longer have to be mutually exclusive. New chemistries and technologies make powering motor applications, LEDs, cordless tools and other high current mobile systems easier than ever.
Cordless Tools: Powerful and Portable
In the cordless tool world, Nickel Cadmium (NiCD) was the dominant chemistry for a long time but toxicity problems caused it to be outlawed in much of European Union, except for specific uses. Cordless tool manufacturers then moved to the similar but less toxic Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) to support their high current motors. Recently cordless tool manufacturers have been able to move to lithium-ion and lithium-polymer battery cells as technology has improved to the point where they can handle the current needs of power tools.
You can achieve higher current handling capabilities for portable units in a couple of ways, depending on your application. NiMH cells still offer decent energy density if your application is not space constrained, which is why they have been the mainstay of the high current portable world. The Panasonic BK300SCP, formerly the HHR-300SCP, is a 57 gram 2800mAh NiMH cell that can handle 30A+ outputs, better than 10C. You only get about 5 minutes at that incredible rate, but it nonetheless shows how far NiMH cells have come.
Connecting Batteries in Parallel
By paralleling battery cells you effectively add their current capabilities together. So ten 1C battery cells in parallel would be able to effectively handle a 10C load. Batteries in parallel tend to self-balance, they even have an advantage over series cells because if one cell fails you don’t lose the whole pack. Paralleling is an especially good option if your system cannot handle the increased voltage of series battery cells.
Powering Burst Applications
If your high current needs are manifested as burst phenomenon and not continuous draw, you can use another component like a large capacitor or super-capacitor to handle the spikes. Adding a capacitor is a relatively lightweight and simple way to get your system past the hurdles of high current draws. Using a super-capacitor can give you an incredible amount of surge handling in a tiny package. The PHB-5R0V505 from Eaton, for instance, has 5 farads in a 21.3x32.5mm package.Lithium Polymer Battery Pack
In some cases, advances in chemistries have removed the need to piece together a battery system when one battery can just do it. The new lithium polymer battery packs being seen in multi-rotor copters can handle continuous discharges of 35C and bursts of up to 70C. To put that in perspective, that’s a 4 cell, 5200mAh battery cranking out 364A at 14.8V for 5300W of power. Definitely enough to get your system off the ground.
High Current Power Supply: Safety Concerns
High current power can do a lot of damage to electronics when incorrectly applied, and it can cause even more damage to a person. Discharging at high rates for an extended period of time will generate heat in the battery due to the internal resistance that can cause a fire or explosion. Properly monitor your battery pack temps and be sure to cool them as needed. Be aware that running batteries at high current discharges also shortens the overall cycle life of the battery.
Over drawing a battery with more current than it is meant to handle can also cause it to swell or ‘puff’. Reusing a puffed battery is a major fire danger. You should always properly dispose of a puffed battery.
Running batteries at high current discharges will shorten the overall cycle life of the battery since the internal components such as the anode and cathode will wear out at a faster rate meaning you will get less years of service from a stressed battery cell.
Want to know more about Lithium-Ion and battery safety? We answer burning questions here. Also, take a deeper dive into battery design with 5 Essential Factors for Choosing the Right Battery. Interested in long life battery design? We break down the facts here.
Ready to buy? To search for a specific battery chemistry (ex. Lithium, NiMH, alkaline), use the parametric search bar on the battery page, navigate to the Chemistry category, and search or scroll to select the desired battery chemistry.
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