AW-LIC-3R8-70

The AW-LIC-3R8-70 is rated for maximum charge current of 70mA (1C rate). While the cell can accept higher currents up to 140mA (2C) for short periods, this reduces cycle life and is not recommended for regular operation. For optimal cycle life, charge at 35mA (0.5C) or lower. The charge current must be limited to prevent overvoltage - the cell voltage must never exceed 3.8V. Use a dedicated LIC charger IC or a current-limited supply with precise voltage regulation. Charge time from 0V to 90% at 70mA is approximately 90 seconds. At 35mA, charge time is approximately 3 minutes. The cell can be charged at temperatures from 0°C to 45°C. Charging below 0°C causes lithium plating and permanent damage - include temperature monitoring in your design if operating in cold environments.

For maximum cycle life, limit charge current to 35mA (0.5C). Use a dedicated charger IC for proper voltage regulation.

The AW-LIC-3R8-70 stores approximately 0.16 Wh of energy (E = 0.5 × 70F × 3.8V² = 505 Joules). Backup time depends on load current and minimum operating voltage. For a typical IoT application with 10mA average current at 3.3V (33mW) operating down to 3.0V: Usable energy = 0.5 × 70F × (3.8² - 3.0²) = 0.5 × 70 × 5.44 = 190 Joules = 0.053 Wh. Backup time = 0.053 Wh / 0.033 W = 1.6 hours or 96 minutes. For burst applications (e.g., 100mA for 1 second every 10 minutes), the cell can support thousands of transmission cycles over several days. The higher voltage (3.8V vs 2.7V) means less voltage conversion loss when powering 3.3V electronics compared to EDLC. For precise runtime calculations, contact our FAE team with your specific load profile.

Calculate your specific backup requirements or contact our FAE team for application-specific runtime analysis.

The AW-LIC-3R8-70 requires several precautions due to its lithium-ion content. Voltage limits: Never exceed 3.8V charge voltage or allow discharge below 2.2V. Use precision voltage monitoring and protection circuits. Current limits: Limit charge current to 70mA maximum, discharge current to 200mA continuous. Temperature limits: Charge only between 0°C and 45°C. Operation is allowed from -40°C to +65°C, but capacity and power are reduced at temperature extremes. Short circuit protection: The cell can deliver high currents when shorted - include appropriate fusing in your design. Overdischarge protection: Deep discharge below 2.2V can damage the cell; implement undervoltage lockout. Handling: Do not crush, puncture, or expose to temperatures above 85°C. Storage: Store at 50% charge (approximately 3.3V) in cool, dry conditions. Unlike lithium batteries, hybrid capacitors do not pose fire or explosion risks under normal conditions, but standard lithium-ion handling precautions should be followed.

Implement voltage and current protection circuits in your design. Review the safety datasheet for complete handling requirements.

The AW-LIC-3R8-70 exhibits significantly lower self-discharge compared to EDLC supercapacitors. Typical self-discharge is 5-10% of rated voltage per day at 25°C, compared to 15-20% per day for EDLC. This means a hybrid capacitor retains usable charge for weeks rather than days. The lower self-discharge is due to the different energy storage mechanism - the lithium-ion anode provides more stable charge retention than the electrostatic storage in EDLC. After charging to 3.8V, the cell typically maintains above 3.0V (usable voltage for most electronics) for 2-3 weeks at room temperature. At elevated temperatures, self-discharge increases - approximately 15% per day at 45°C. This characteristic makes hybrid capacitors much more suitable for applications with intermittent use and long standby periods, such as emergency devices, backup systems, and sensors that transmit infrequently. The improved charge retention is one of the key advantages justifying the higher cost of hybrid capacitors over EDLC.

For applications with standby periods exceeding 48 hours, hybrid capacitors provide significantly better charge retention than EDLC.

Yes, the AW-LIC-3R8-70 can be connected in series for higher voltage applications, but active balancing is essential. When series-connected, voltage imbalance occurs due to cell-to-cell variations. Without balancing, individual cells may exceed their 3.8V rating during charging, causing permanent damage through lithium plating. For two cells in series (7.6V), simple passive balancing using resistors may be adequate for low-duty applications. For three or more cells, active balancing using dedicated ICs is strongly recommended. The balancing circuit should handle both charge and discharge cycles. Cells should be from the same production batch to minimize parameter variation. Series connection reduces total capacitance (C_total = C_cell / n) while multiplying voltage (V_total = V_cell × n). A 2S configuration provides 35F at 7.6V. Never connect hybrid capacitors in parallel without individual cell protection, as voltage mismatch can cause high equalization currents.

For series applications, use active balancing circuits. Contact our FAE team for balancing IC recommendations and circuit design.

The AW-LIC-3R8-70 has an expected calendar life of 10+ years when operated within recommended parameters. Calendar life is the time before capacitance degrades below 80% of rated value during storage or light use. Factors affecting calendar life: Storage voltage - storing at 3.3V (50% charge) provides maximum calendar life; storing at full charge (3.8V) reduces life by approximately 30%. Temperature - Arrhenius relationship applies; every 10°C increase approximately halves calendar life. At 25°C, 10+ years is expected; at 45°C, approximately 5 years; at 65°C, approximately 2-3 years. Operating conditions - frequent cycling with shallow depth of discharge has minimal impact on calendar life; deep cycling accelerates degradation. For maximum longevity, store and operate at moderate temperatures (below 35°C) and avoid maintaining the cell at full charge for extended periods. The cell's lithium-ion chemistry is more stable than standard lithium batteries.

For maximum calendar life, store at 50% charge (3.3V) and moderate temperatures. Avoid continuous operation at 65°C or above.