| Author |
Message |
    
compsy
Citizen
Username: Compsy
Post Number: 186
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 1:42 pm: |     |
Can someone explain to a non-electrician how to know the best way to ensure longest battery life in rechargables, say, on your laptop, and on your cell phones.
What kind of batteries need to be discharged fully regularly for longest life, and what kinds need to be kept "charging" most of the time?
I know for example that nickel metal hydrides, whatever they are, need to be cared for differently than other kinds...what's the story here? I bought a new battery for my laptop within the past year, and it's usually "charging," but now it hardly holds a charge for twenty minutes....
Plus, some cell phone batteries claim to need to be removed from their chargers or they overcharge, thus shortening their life....
Any clarification out there??? |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 299
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 6:34 pm: | |
No, I can't answer your questions, but try discharging your battery fully, then charging it. That usually fixes your battery problems. It is possible that your battery is a dud and you should return it for a new one. |
upondaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 188
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 9:13 pm: | |
NI-MH, (nickle metal hydride) is pretty much the standard "stock" battery for devices using rechargeable batteries, such as cellphones, cameras, laptops, etc. This type of battery doesn't suffer from the "memory" problems that plaque nickel cadmium bats. NI-MH batteries should be fully charged and discharged several times when first put into service. After that, they can be charged whenever you wish, regardless of whether they are drained. I wouldn't leave them on charge for more than 24 hrs. at a clip and as always, follow the manufacturers guide lines for charging. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 6826
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 10:34 am: | |
I believe all rechargeable batteries have some memory. Nickel cadmium have the most, nickel metal hydride have less, and lithium ion have the least. They are also ordered in cost in the same order.
If you leave your laptop on all the time, it may be a good idea to take the battery out for most of the time. Heat is not good for its life, and charging it heats it up.
Still, since your battery has gone south so soon, it might be replaceable by its warranty. |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1515
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 1:51 am: | |
Most manufacturers consider batteries "consumable," meaning they're only covered for one year under a standard warranty. |
enigmabomb
Citizen
Username: Enigmabomb
Post Number: 322
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 6, 2005 - 5:22 am: | |
Actually lithium Ion and lithium polymer batteries run better when warm (below 130F) and it will not hurt them in any way.
Josh |
kevin
Citizen
Username: Eloso
Post Number: 54
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 6, 2005 - 10:35 pm: | |
My experience with laptop batteries is that if you leave them plugged in all the time they will steadly loose capacity until they die. This usually happens after the one year warranty expires.
I always recommend that people try to use their laptops on battery power as much as possible and only plug them in to charge. Using this method the batteries outlast the usefullness of the laptop.
If the battery still won't hold a decent charge after you have drained it and recharged it - then you will need to buy another one. Just don't leave it plugged in all the time. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 7341
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 6, 2005 - 10:42 pm: | |
Yeah, I think it's the heat that kills it.
Another idea, and this may not be so convenient, is to run the laptop on the power cord and take the battery OUT. |
enigmabomb
Citizen
Username: Enigmabomb
Post Number: 323
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 6, 2005 - 10:52 pm: | |
The heat really has no adverse effect on lithium polymer cells. If you look at some discharge graphs for lithium polymer cells, the heat helps them discharge more current. In reality, we're lucky to get 300 cycles out of any laptop battery.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=430768
Start Temp. 71.6F / 80F @ .200Ah / 100F @ .400Ah / 130F @ .89 Ah (end)
Max. Temp reached 133.9F approximately 30 seconds after test, resting volts 10.94.
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