How to take good care of your battery!
The Do and Don't for your battery
Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
Used in: Cell phones, laptops, video cameras.
Charging: Do charge the battery often. The battery lasts longer with partial rather than full discharges. Lithium-ion is a low maintenance battery. No periodic discharge is needed and charging can be done at random. A random charge means that the battery does not need to be fully depleted before recharge. In fact, it is better to recharge before the battery gets too low. Full discharges put an unnecessary strain on the battery. A recharge on a partially charged battery does not cause memory because there is none.
Do not use if pack gets hot during charge. Check also charger.
lithium-ion cannot absorb overcharge and no trickle charge is applied on full charge. This allows lithium-ion to be kept in the chargers until used. Some chargers apply a topping charge every week or so to replenish the capacity lost through self-discharge while the battery sits idle in the charger. Repeated insertion into the charger or cradle does not damage the battery though overcharge. If the battery is full, no charge is applied. The battery voltage determines the need to charge.
On the negative side, lithium?ion gradually loses charge acceptance as part of aging, even if not used. lithium?ion batteries should not be stored for long periods but be rotated like perishable food. The buyer should be aware of the manufacturing date when purchasing a replacement battery. Aging affects battery chemistries at different degrees.
Charge methods: Constant voltage to 4.20V/cell (typical). No trickle-charge when full. Li-ion may remain in the charger (no memory). Battery must remain cool. No fast-charge possible.
Rapid charge = 3h
Discharging: Avoid full cycle because of wear. 80% depth-of-discharge recommended. Re- charge more often. Avoid full discharge. Low voltage may cut off safety circuit
Service needs: No maintenance needed. Loses capacity due to aging whether used or not.
Storage: Store at 40% charge in a cool place (40% state-of-charge reads 3.75-3.80V/cell at open terminal.
Do not store at full charge and at warm temperatures because of accelerated aging.
Disposal: Should be recycled. Low volume household Li-ion may be disposed
