Climax Deutschland GmbH

The lithium-ion batteries we use are an industrial standard product that has been used successfully worldwide for many years. Climax has delivered more than 200,000 devices with these batteries internationally. So far, there has not been a single case of a user experiencing any harmful effects such as smoke, fire or explosion. Our batteries undergo strict quality controls before installation and offer a high level of safety during operation. 

Safety precautions when charging

When charging the batteries, care is taken not to use the full nominal capacity. The charge is terminated before the end-of-charge voltage is reached, so that the batteries are only ever charged to about 80%. This strategy not only increases the lifespan of the batteries, but also minimizes the risk of overheating or other safety-related problems. 

Wear and tear and warranty

Despite their high quality, batteries are consumables and age faster than the other components of a device. Many manufacturers therefore exclude batteries from the warranty. However, this is not the case with us: we offer a full two-year warranty on batteries. 

Batteries age faster if they are rarely used and repeatedly charged immediately, i.e. always fully charged. This can particularly be the case with mobile emergency call devices that are mainly used at home. In such cases, premature ageing can occur, resulting in a loss of capacity and possible outgassing of some cells. Nevertheless, there is usually no danger as the protective mechanisms used work reliably. 

Signs of problems and replacement guidelines

If a device shows signs such as significantly reduced capacity (e.g. an operating time of only 24 hours), overheating or a bulging case, the device must no longer be charged. In such a case, the battery must be replaced. Regardless of the remaining capacity, we recommend replacing the battery after four years at the latest to ensure consistent safety.

Assessment of battery status remotely 

To be able to assess the status remotely, we have included an indicator of battery health in our device portal (CDMP). This is the last column in the device overview. You can sort and filter by this column. A new device has a battery health of 100. This indicator takes into account both the age of the device (days since start date) and the battery capacity (how quickly the battery discharges when the device is used on the go). As soon as the indicator drops to 20 or less, we recommend replacing the battery. 

Additional safety information

Lithium polymer batteries (LiPo) offer numerous advantages over other battery technologies, such as high energy density and low weight. However, they require careful handling, as improper use or damage can pose potential risks.

• Thermal safety: Our batteries are equipped with temperature monitoring systems that prevent overheating. If the temperature is outside the safe range, the charging or discharging process is automatically interrupted. 
• Mechanical safety: The battery cells are protected against shocks and vibrations, making them particularly suitable for mobile devices.
• Electronic protection systems: Our batteries have integrated protection circuits that prevent short circuits, deep discharge and overcharging. These systems contribute significantly to the longevity and safety of the batteries. 
• Storage: Lithium polymer batteries should be stored in a cool, dry place with a charge of about 50% if they are not used for an extended period of time. This reduces aging and increases lifespan. 

While there is generally no danger from batteries installed in devices, precautionary measures must be taken with removed batteries. These must be protected against short circuits. Defective batteries must be stored in approved safety containers. Damage to batteries must be avoided at all costs, as this can cause a fire. 

Bloating in batteries

Lithium polymer batteries are packaged airtight. The bloating is caused by the formation of gases inside the cells. Typical causes are: 

    Overcharging 

• leads to electrolyte decomposition and gas formation. 
• Modern charging electronics usually prevent this, but the risk is higher with defective electronics or cheap products.

    Deep discharge 

• If the voltage drops too low, it can cause copper dendrites to form and short circuits to occur in the battery. 
• This also leads to gas formation. 

    Ageing 

• Even with normal use, batteries age. Decomposition processes in the electrolyte lead to gas formation over time. 

    High temperatures / overheating

• Accelerate chemical reactions in the battery, which promotes gas formation and bloating. 

    Mechanical damage 

• A damaged separator can lead to internal short circuits and chemical instability. 

    Poor manufacturing quality 

• Cheap or poorly made batteries are more prone to bloating, e.g. due to impurities or poor cell chemistry.
  
  

The older the battery, the more likely it is that lithium polymer batteries can swell. If you find a severely swollen battery in the device during inspection, you should replace it with a new battery and dispose of the swollen battery properly.  

CAUTION: Do not damage swollen batteries! Swollen batteries are safe from mechanical damage in the Mobile Pro case. If you remove the battery and store it, this mechanical protection is no longer provided. For the storage of swollen batteries, we recommend a special fire-retardant Li-Po transport bag, which can be obtained from specialist retailers.