How to properly charge and prolong the life of Lithium batteries

[slowbiz]

When charging a battery, do you need to give it a full charge?

[busky2k]

I'd give the laptop battery a full charge. However if you use it as a desktop (plugged into the AC all the time), I'd actually remove the battery. This is because the heat from the laptop makes its way into the battery, which shortens its life slowly. Alternatively, if you use it as a desktop for weeks or more, i'd drain the battery to 40% and then remove it.

[m3rs4]

Originally Posted by busky2k

I'd give the laptop battery a full charge. However if you use it as a desktop (plugged into the AC all the time), I'd actually remove the battery. This is because the heat from the laptop makes its way into the battery, which shortens its life slowly. Alternatively, if you use it as a desktop for weeks or more, i'd drain the battery to 40% and then remove it.

no offence but I would strongly advice against this practice. I have seen the charging circuitry?(or the battery?) dies on notebook whose owner insists of "removing the battery whien connected to the AC power". In 2005, the costs of a Li-Ion notebook batt is about US$100 bux. Is it really worth the hassle of removing / installing the battery frequently? Besides, the cost of replacing the motherboard is more expensive than the battery itself.

Sometimes BAttery will act as an super big capacitor for some electronics device. for example, your car 12V battery acts as a large capacitor to filter out voltage current spike when your motor is running. You can disconnect the 12V battery and the motor still runs fine. However, it may also fry the car's CPU.

My advice use your electronic device in a normal and convenience way you feel more comfortable until the day it calls it in.

Again, YMMV.

[busky2k]

m3rs4, I respect your opinion. What I meant to come across is situations where a laptop is really a desktop replacement that sees little or no portable use (ie always on AC power). I too would not advise someone to remove it frequently.

Also the myth about the battery regulating the laptops power supply is well and truely old. Maybe in old skool laptops yeah.

[Chri5peed]

I knew most of that being an electrician, but certainly very handy. Proper care for my Zen Touch battery has meant its kept its capacity for nearly a year, it nearly lasted all the time I was away on vacation last week, well over 20 hours.

Also its important to know that Li-Ion batteries charge at 4.2Volts per cell and USB2 ports run at 5Volts. So in fact DAPs which charge through the USB port are getting the same level of charge as using the mains.

Also, I didn't know, but USB2 ports stay energised as long as your PC is plugged in, but it doesn't need to be turned on. Li-Ion batteries can't be overcharged so its okay to leave your DAP connected to the USB constantly.

[adam917]

Originally Posted by Luke

Interesting. I've seen the first link before, but not the second. I always wonderered why the JB1 had a 9 volt AC charger, and the JB3 had only a 5 volt AC charger. The second link seemed to explain this. It also seems to explain why I can't find a AA or AAA rechargeable li-Ion battery. My digital camera accepts a Li-Ion battery (in place of two AAA batteries), but it's not rechargeable. You have to use it until it's dead, then throw it away (er, dispose of it properly).

Nothing is mentioned there about AA or AAA batteries...

[donunus]

Any links for gumstick battery charging? Do those have to be discharged every once in a while? or only for initial charge???

[hulkster]

great link, very useful. thankyou

[zowie]

first link says "an aged battery can be kept longer in applications that draw low current as opposed to a function that demands heavy loads"

Exactly what I suspected. When I try to upload wave filed recorded on my Nomad Jukebox 3, which works the HD hard, after a minute it gives a low battery warning and shuts down. Repeating the proceedure causes the same result. However, if I restart it after that happens it still has juice to play back MP3s for a considerable period of time.

[richsto]

Excellent info - many thanks!

[acp6s]

be sure not to recharge when relatively full, best way is to drain then recharge then

[athenaesword]

Originally Posted by Chri5peed

I knew most of that being an electrician, but certainly very handy. Proper care for my Zen Touch battery has meant its kept its capacity for nearly a year, it nearly lasted all the time I was away on vacation last week, well over 20 hours.

Also its important to know that Li-Ion batteries charge at 4.2Volts per cell and USB2 ports run at 5Volts. So in fact DAPs which charge through the USB port are getting the same level of charge as using the mains.

Also, I didn't know, but USB2 ports stay energised as long as your PC is plugged in, but it doesn't need to be turned on. Li-Ion batteries can't be overcharged so its okay to leave your DAP connected to the USB constantly.

ah i know this's old but mebbe someone ard here can still answer my question =p

so the usb2.0 runs at a higher voltage than what the Li+ battery is supposed to charge at.. issit not advisable then to charge via usb but use a 4.2V ac charger? or will it charge at 4.2V all the same.

i read the 1st link. it mentioned charging at higher voltages increasing the capacity but decreasing the life cycles of the battery..

[virtuoso]

hey.. many thanx for the above links...
they were very informative...
its funny.. i am on this forum from 2 weeks now.. and i visited this thread today for the first time... :P

[Demix500]

40% charge... Had no idea.

Thanks

[Tgun5]

good info, thanks