What are the causes of battery cell failure?
2 Answers
Battery cell failure refers to the disconnection of the internal plate bridges, resulting in the car battery being unable to function properly (insufficient voltage). There are three main causes of battery cell failure: 1. Poor quality of the battery itself. 2. Incorrect usage of the battery: Prolonged deep discharge states and the use of high-power car chargers can both lead to battery cell failure. 3. Severe impact or dropping of the battery, causing internal plate disconnection. Regarding battery usage, please note the following: 1. Prevent over-discharge: Continuing to discharge a battery after it reaches the termination voltage is called over-discharge. Over-discharge can severely damage the battery, significantly harming its electrical performance and cycle life. 2. Prevent overcharging: Overcharging increases water loss in the battery, accelerates grid corrosion, softens the active material, and raises the likelihood of battery deformation. 3. Prevent short circuits: When a battery is in a short-circuit state, the short-circuit current can reach hundreds of amperes. The stronger the short-circuit contact, the greater the short-circuit current, generating substantial heat at all connection points, with more heat at weaker spots, potentially melting the connections and causing a short-circuit phenomenon.
After driving for so many years, I've seen quite a few cases of battery cell failure, mainly caused by severe vehicle jolts. For example, frequently driving on bumpy roads with excessive vibrations can shake loose the internal connections between electrode plates. Another cause is prolonged uneven charging and discharging, leading to thermal expansion and subsequent contraction cracks. Aging batteries with dried-up or depleted electrolyte also become structurally fragile, making them prone to failure from minor impacts. Extreme weather conditions, like freezing winters or scorching summers, accelerate these issues through thermal expansion and contraction. I recommend avoiding rough roads, regularly checking electrolyte levels, and cleaning terminals to extend battery life. Once a cell fails, the entire battery must be replaced—otherwise, you'll face starting issues and unnecessary delays.
