Deep cycle batteries are essential for bass boats, RVs, and other battery-powered machines, but quality ones can be costly. Protecting your investment is important. Fortunately, our lithium batteries include a battery protection mode. Breathe easy! We’ll explain what that means and which other battery types offer it below.
What Does Battery Protection Mode Do?
Our lithium batteries include a built-in battery management system (BMS) that protects performance and ensures safe operation. Most importantly, the BMS enhances safety by shutting down the battery in unsafe conditions, activating “battery protection mode.”
Do All Batteries Have Battery Protection Mode?
No, most batteries, especially lead-acid ones, lack essential protection.
While cheaper, they require monitoring to prevent overheating and excessive discharge, which can damage them or your vehicle. AGM and Gel batteries also lack this protection.
In contrast, Ionic lithium deep cycle batteries offer battery protection for peace of mind.
Reasons for Battery Protection Mode
Battery protection mode in lithium batteries can be triggered by overcurrent, short circuits, voltage fluctuations, extreme temperatures, loose connections, defective cells, insulation breakdown, or a malfunctioning fan.
The BMS activates protection mode when any of these conditions exceed safe limits.
Next, we’ll discuss actions to take if your battery enters protection mode.
What to Do if Your Lithium Battery Goes into Protection Mode
Battery protection mode indicates an unsafe condition. The battery will stay in this mode until the issue is resolved, turning back on automatically when it’s safe.
However, you can take steps to restore safety sooner.
High Voltage
If high voltage activates protection mode, disconnect the charging source to to bring the voltage back to safe levels.
Low Voltage
If the battery enters protection mode due to low voltage, recharge it to restore proper levels. If it has depleted to zero, jump-start it with a battery of equivalent voltage.
High Temperature
If high temperatures activate battery protection mode, ensure proper ventilation to reduce overheating, lower your load or charge rate, and move the battery to a cooler area.
Low Temperature
You can use lithium batteries in winter, but charging below freezing can trigger battery protection mode due to plating.
To avoid this, consider these options:
- Find a warmer location.
- Invest in a battery with a built-in heater to maintain the right temperature for charging.
- Use solar panels to keep the battery active and prevent it from dropping below freezing.
High Current/Short Circuit
A heavy current load can damage your battery’s cells, so you may need to reduce the load.
The issue could also stem from an internal or external short circuit, which must be fixed first to exit battery protection mode.
While internal problems are rare, if you can’t resolve the issue, contact the battery experts for assistance.