Battery Charges

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Battery Charging: A Helpful Guide

Charging batteries properly is crucial to maximizing their lifespan and performance. With lithium-ion batteries now powering most of our devices, from phones to cars, it’s more important than ever to understand how to charge them correctly. This article will provide a helpful, easy-to-understand guide to charging battery-powered devices.

How Lithium-Ion Batteries Work

Unlike the old nickel-cadmium batteries of the past, lithium-ion batteries have no “memory effect.” You don’t need to completely drain them before recharging. But they do still prefer a partial rather than a full discharge.

Lithium-ion batteries work by lithium ions moving between a positive electrode (cathode) and negative electrode (anode) through an electrolyte solution. Charging forces the lithium ions to accumulate on the anode; discharging reverses the process. But each charge/discharge cycle causes incremental damage through unwanted side reactions. The key is minimizing these reactions.

General Charging Tips

Here are some basic tips for charging lithium-ion batteries:

Don’t fully charge or discharge. Keep the charge level between 20-80% when possible. Fully charging stresses the battery.
Use slower chargers when possible. Fast charging causes more electrolyte degradation. Overnight charging at 1 amp or less is ideal.
Avoid high temperatures. Don’t leave batteries charging in hot cars. Heat accelerates side reactions.
Partially charge rather than fully charging. Go to 80% rather than 100% when you can.
Unplug when fully charged. Don’t leave the charger connected for days on end.
Avoid deep discharging. Recharge before the battery gets too low.
Don’t let batteries sit unused for months on end. Give them a partial recharge every 6 months or so.
Consider removing the battery if device will be unused for many months.

Following those simple guidelines will maximize the lifespan of your lithium-ion batteries. Now let’s look at some specific situations.

Charging Your Smartphone

Smartphones have become an indispensable part of everyday life. But their lithium-ion batteries don’t last forever. Here are some tips for charging your smartphone battery:

Use the included charger and cable. Avoid cheap third-party chargers.
Don’t charge overnight. Your phone just sits at 100% for hours, which stresses the battery.
Recharge at 20-50%, not empty. Completely draining the battery puts extra strain on it.
Turn off fast charging if available. Fast charging degrades the battery faster over time.
Avoid charging phone in very hot/cold temps. Heat and cold accelerate chemical damage.
Unplug once fully charged. Don’t leave the phone plugged in indefinitely.
Consider charging to only 80%. Select this option if available.
Turn off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS when charging. These use power and cause excess heat.
Don’t use phone while fast charging. The heat degrades battery quicker.
Replace battery after 2-3 years or when capacity drops. Old batteries charge slowly.

Following those tips will help your smartphone battery last. If you notice it charging slowly or draining quickly, it may be time for a replacement.

Charging Your Laptop

Laptops live and die by their batteries. Here are some tips for properly charging your laptop’s lithium-ion battery:

Use the included AC adapter to charge. Avoid using a lower wattage adapter.
Discharge battery to 20-50% before recharging. Avoid full discharges.
Remove battery if using laptop plugged in for months. Heat degrades unused batteries.
Store laptop battery around 40% charge if unused for weeks/months.
Set charging threshold to 80% if available. 100% puts strain on battery.
Avoid exposing laptop to temperature extremes while charging.
Run on battery power once per week if using laptop plugged in. Keeps battery functional.
Replace battery after about 1000 charge cycles or 70% capacity.
Don’t leave laptop dormant for months with battery installed. Give it a partial charge every 6 months.
Consider removing battery for long-term storage. Energizer has tips for battery storage.

With proper care, your laptop battery should last 2-4 years. If you notice it draining very quickly, it’s probably time for a replacement.

Charging Your Power Tools

Cordless power tools rely on lithium-ion battery packs. Here are some charging tips:

Use only the included charger. Avoid knockoff or universal chargers.
Don’t charge cold batteries. Let them warm to room temperature first.
Avoid leaving batteries in the charger for days on end after fully charged.
Store batteries around 30-50% charge if unused for weeks or months.
Drain to 20-50% before recharging for maximum lifespan.
Store batteries separate from tools to prevent accidental power drain.
Store batteries in a cool, dry place. Don’t leave in hot shed or garage.
Consider an AC adapter if using a tool for prolonged periods. Saves battery cycles.
Replace batteries after 2-3 years or when running time decreases substantially.

Follow the usage and charging guidelines to get the most life from your lithium-ion power tool batteries.

Charging Your Electric Vehicle

Electric vehicles (EVs) rely on much larger lithium-ion battery packs than consumer devices. But the same general charging guidelines apply:

Avoid full charges. Charge to 80-90% for daily use.
Use slower Level 2 chargers when possible. Fast DC charging stresses the battery.
Unplug once charging is complete. Don’t leave the EV plugged in for days.
Avoid exposing EV to temperature extremes during charging.
Store EV batteries around 30-50% charge for long-term storage.
Consider timed charging to finish when needed. This minimizes time at 100%.
Follow the automaker’s charging recommendations closely.
Expect EV battery range loss of 5-10% per year. Higher use means faster degradation.

With proper care, an electric vehicle battery should last 8-10 years before needing replacement. Follow the automaker’s charging recommendations to maximize battery lifespan.

What to Avoid

To summarize, here are some things to avoid when charging lithium-ion batteries:

Leaving batteries at 100% charge for prolonged periods
Exposing batteries to high temperatures during charging
Completely draining batteries before each recharge
Using third-party power adapters or chargers
Leaving batteries unused in devices for months at a time
Charging already hot batteries
Charging batteries in very cold temperatures
Using a lower wattage charger than specified

Avoiding those harmful practices is key to maximizing the lifespan of your lithium-ion batteries.

Signs Your Battery Needs Replacing

Here are some signs that your device’s lithium-ion battery needs replacing:

It drains much faster than when new
Charging times are much longer
You see a significant loss in usage time
The battery feels hot while charging
You notice swelling or deformation
Your device randomly powers off when not low on charge
Usage time drops below 50-70% of original capacity
The battery is 2-4 years old, depending on usage

When you notice those issues, it’s probably time to replace the battery. Third-party replacement batteries are available for many devices, often at lower cost than an official replacement. Just be sure to get one made by a reputable brand.

Battery Charging Myths

There are some common misconceptions about how to charge lithium-ion batteries. Here are a few myths and the realities:

Myth: You need to fully drain batteries before recharging.
Reality: In fact, partial charges are better for battery health.

Myth: Chargers trickle charge when full.
Reality: Chargers stop charging when the battery is full.

Myth: You should deplete phone battery monthly.
Reality: Partial discharges are better than full discharges.

Myth: Charging overnight damages batteries.
Reality: Slow overnight charging is fine unless phone gets hot.

Myth: Running batteries low is good conditioning.
Reality: Deep discharges strain batteries.Knowing the facts on lithium-ion batteries can help you maximize their lifespan. Avoid battery myths that can actually be harmful in the long run.

Battery Charging FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about charging lithium-ion batteries:

Should I unplug devices when fully charged?
Yes, it’s best to disconnect once fully charged to avoid trickle charging.

Is it bad to top up battery charges?
No, partial charges are actually better for battery health than full discharges.

Can I use a higher wattage charger?
No, use only the included charger to avoid damage from excess voltage.

Should I drain laptop battery before charging?
No need to fully drain, just discharge 40-80% before recharging.

Can I use my phone while fast charging?
It’s best to avoid use while fast charging since the heat can degrade the battery.

Should I drain phone battery fully each month?
No, just use phone normally. Partial charges/discharges are best for lithium-ion.

Is it safe to charge overnight?
Yes, as long as the device doesn’t get excessively hot while charging.

Can I pause and resume charging?
Yes, lithium-ion batteries have no memory effect, so you can safely do this.

How many charge cycles do batteries last?
Around 300-500 cycles for phones, 400-1000 cycles for laptops.

When should I replace batteries?
When you notice significantly reduced runtime or charging takes much longer.

In Summary

Avoid full charges/discharges
Use slower chargers when possible
Unplug when fully charged
Keep batteries cool when charging
Consider removing batteries from unused devices
Charge to around 40% for storage
Replace aging batteries every 2-4 years

Following the tips in this guide will maximize the lifespan of your lithium-ion batteries. Let me know if you have any other battery charging questions!