How to maximize the life of your battery?

A common difficulty with portable equipment is the gradual decline in battery performance after the first year of use.

Although fully charged, the battery eventually deteriorates to a point where the available energy is less than half of its original capacity, resulting in unexpected downtime. For a battery to reach its natural life, proper maintenance is necessary. There are several things you can do to maximize the useful life of your battery.

f you purchase a new mobile phone (or a new battery), the rechargeable battery is shipped uncharged and must be fully charged prior to its first use. The first time you charge the battery, the device may indicate a false full charge after 10 to 15 minutes. This is normal. Unplug it and plug the charger to “restart” the charging process. Several charging-discharging cycles (2-3) are required for the battery to reach maximum capacity, best performance, and hold a full charge.

Make sure that the battery is charged and drained fully before recharging. This will properly condition the battery and will ensure that it operates at its maximum capacity. This is recommended for many types of mobile phone batteries. You can discharge most mobile phones by unplugging the power adapter and leaving it turned on until completely discharged. 

Keep the battery and the contact terminals clean. Battery contacts are the number one source of charging problems. Clean the battery contacts (battery + device) with alcohol and a cotton pad. Make sure no cotton is left on the contact points.

Avoid letting your battery sit dormant for extended periods of time. Batteries that sit idle for lengthy periods of time without charging tend to lose their ability to hold a charge and will self-discharge. Charge and re-condition (full charge/discharge) when the battery is new or after an extended idle period.

Unplug your power adaptor if you are not using your device or mobile phone. Batteries that sit idle for extended periods of time without charging begin to lose their ability to hold a charge and will self-discharge, so remember to charge them again before use.

Avoid using a cigarette-lighter adaptor for charging your battery, if you can. The battery can be damaged and its performance reduced by the use of cigarette-lighter adaptors, which do not properly regulate the incoming current.

Always store batteries in a cool, dry place away from heat and metal objects.

You can increase your actual battery life by removing some features, user options, and accessories that you do not really need: for mobile phones, remove or switch off GPRS, Bluetooth, backlight, ring volume, vibration mode, etc…

For optimal performance, it is recommended to use genuine batteries made by the device manufacturer.

Avoid exposing the battery to extreme heat, sun, and cold.

Depending on your battery type, overcharging or undercharging could result in a shorter life. Due to the chemical processes involved, batteries deteriorate over time. After a certain number of cycles, the battery’s maximum charge capacity drops to below 80% of its original capacity.

If you do not fully discharge the battery before recharging it, the capacity of the battery will gradually be reduced. This is called the “memory” effect and is due to the accumulation of gas bubbles on the cell plates.

NiCad batteries are especially prone to this problem, therefore users should try to discharge the battery fully after each use, a process called “conditioning”.

NiMH batteries are less susceptible to the memory effect, but even then you should condition them once every one to two weeks. Li-ion and Li-Po batteries are immune to the memory effect.

 

Safety Precautions - While Charging a Battery

Danger 

  • When charging the battery, use dedicated chargers and follow the specified instructions.
  • Do not connect directly to an electric outlet or cigarette lighter charger.
  • Do not store battery close to fire or inside a car where the temperature may be over 60°C/140°F.
  • Use the battery only in the specified equipment.

Warning

  • Stop charging the battery if charging is not completed within the specified time.

Caution

  • Thoroughly read the user’s manual for the charger before charging the battery.
  • Do not charge in a place that generates static electricity.
  • The battery can be charged within 0°C/32°F~45°C/113°F temperature ranges.

Safety Precautions - While Using the Battery

Danger 

  • Do not heat or throw the battery into a fire.
  • Do not store battery close to a fire or inside a car where the temperature may be over 60°C/140°F.
  • Do not immerse the battery in fresh or saltwater, or apply fresh or saltwater to it.
  • Do not put batteries in your pocket or a bag together with metal objects such as necklaces, hairpins, coins, or screws.
  • Do not short circuit the (+) and (-) terminals with metal.
  • Do not place the battery in a device with the (+) and (-) in the wrong way or when you connect a battery to the charger.
  • Do not pierce the battery with a sharp object such as a nail.
  • Do not hit it with a hammer, step on it, throw or drop it – can cause a strong shock.
  • Do not disassemble or modify the battery.
  • Do not solder directly.
  • Do not use a battery that is severely scarred or deformed.

Warning

  • Do not put the battery into a microwave oven, dryer, or high-pressure container.
  • Do not use batteries with dry cells and other primary batteries, or batteries of a different package, type, or brand.
  • Stop using the battery if abnormal heat, odor, color, deformation, or abnormal conditions occur.
  • Keep away from fire immediately when leakage or foul odor are detected.
  • If liquid leaks onto your skin or clothes, wash well with fresh water immediately.
  • If liquid leaking from the battery gets into your eyes, do not rub your eyes. Wash them well with clean water and contact a doctor immediately.

Caution

  • Store batteries out of reach of children so that they are not accidentally swallowed.
  • If a child uses a battery, their guardian should explain proper handling.
  • Before using the battery, read the user’s manual and warning on handling thoroughly.
  • For information on inserting and removing from equipment, thoroughly read the user’s manual for the specific equipment.
  • Batteries have life cycles. If the time that the battery powers the equipment become shorter than usual, the battery life span is at an end. Replace the battery with a new one. Remove a battery whose life cycle has expired from equipment immediately.
  • When the battery is thrown away, make sure it is non-conducting by applying vinyl tape to (+) and (-) terminals or put it in a recycling box for a rechargeable battery recycling program.
  • When not in use for an extended period, remove the battery from the equipment and store it in a place with low humidity and temperature.
  • If the terminals of the battery become dirty, wipe with a dry cloth before use.
  • The battery can be used and stored within (-20°C/68°F~60°C/140°F) temperature ranges.