Experimental Comparison of Charging Algorithms for a Lithium-ion Battery

Comparing with conventional charging algorithm of constant current and constant voltage (CC/CV) for lithium ion batteries, many charging algorithms are proposed to improve charging time, charging efficiency and cycle life. However, the comparisons were conducted only between the charging algorithms and the CC/CV for different lithium ion batteries. In this paper, a new testing platform based on LabVIEW is developed to investigate various charging algorithms under the same battery with similar testing conditions, where the platform includes programmable power supply and electronic load. The experimental results of battery voltage, current and temperature are sampled to calculate the ampere hour and energy efficiencies and the times for charging up to 50%, 80% and 100% of normal capacity. The maximum temperature difference for all the charging algorithms during an entire charging period is less than 3 degree which indicates that all charging algorithms have similar effect on battery cycle life to the CC/CV.