Lithium batteries are advancing rapidly,and they provide longer use times than nickel and lead based batteries.Their use has been adopted as the standard for most of the spy cameras,and other electronics on the market today.Here are six tips to extend the life of your lithium-ion based electronic device.However,the technology is not mature,and every few months new advances increase the battery life,resulting in longer recording times.On average,you can charge a lithium-ion battery 300 to 500 times before it won’t take any more charges.
The typical lithium-ion battery lasts 2-3 years.Eventually oxidation lowers internal resistance,causing it to not be able to deliver the stored energy, even though the battery is charge.Lower current draw applications will add to the life vs.high draw devices with cobalt based Li batteries,like laptops,cameras,and cell phones.The bottom line,be gentle to your lithium-ion batteries.If you excessively charge the battery,with high voltages,and heavy load conditions,it will shorten your battery’s life.It’s best to charge at a slower rate.Following the tips above will give you several years of use from your lithium-ion powered electrical device.
Here are some things you can do to increase the life of your lithium-based battery:
Laptop computer uses: If you keep the battery in your laptop for everyday use,and power it from the wall socket,unplug the power every few days and let it run off the battery,as a battery at 40% capacity lasts longer than one at 100% capacity. if you don’t travel with it,you should remove the laptop computer battery when on fixed power.Store laptop batteries correctly: You can remove the battery from your laptop if you are running it on electricity.In order to maximize the life,store it at 40% capacity in low temperatures.Storing a battery in hot conditions at 100% capacity can shorten the life by 1/2.Keeping it at full capacity,like plugging in your laptop all the time,will give a life of 12-16 months.Ideally,keep the charge level at 40% for stored batteries yields the longest life.
Avoid constant full discharges: Li batteries prefer a partial discharge,over a full discharge.You should not frequently fully discharge the batteries,rather charge the battery more often,if possible,daily to insure a long life.Recalibrate: We suggest a full discharge every 30 charges for batteries with fuel gauges,like laptops and mobile phones to recalibrate the battery. Just let it run until it stops,then recharge.
Keep it cool: The life of the battery depends on the temperature and the state of charge.High temperatures and high charge levels will lead to a short life.At 25C,you have 96% capacity at 40% charge,and 80% at 100% charge.The warmer it gets,and the higher the user charge level,the quicker it will die.Try to keep the temperature down and the ideal storage place is inside the refrigerator at 40% capacity.Avoid buying spares: Unlike wine and cheese,Li 18650 battery do not improve with age.Avoid the temptation to buy spares,unless you use them frequently.Check the manufacture date,and never buy an old battery,even if on sale.
