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12/19/2008 11:19:44 PM · #1 |
I've learned with Laptops that it is best to completely drain the battery once a month to keep the battery gauge accurate.
Should I do the same for my camera battery to keep my cameras battery gauge accurate?
Thanks a bunch!
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12/19/2008 11:59:43 PM · #2 |
With rechargeables in general, particularly the modern ones, it's a good idea every so often (though perhaps not necessarily as often as once a month) to let the battery completely discharge, then leave it overnight and then put it on a full charge, usually for around 12 hours or so if possible.
I'm not sure as to the chemistry behind this but I have read over and over again that doing this will increase the useful life of the battery and keep it in good condition allowing it to retain charge better.
I'm sure there will be someone here who can explain exactly why this is, and I would be pretty interested to hear if they can! |
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12/20/2008 12:10:48 AM · #3 |
| is it bad to just leave batteries charging for great lengths of time? i think i heard somewhere that that is bad, but im not sure... |
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12/20/2008 12:39:32 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by JDubsgirl:
is it bad to just leave batteries charging for great lengths of time? i think i heard somewhere that that is bad, but im not sure... |
Hope not, I sometimes forget about mine and leave them for ages! |
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12/20/2008 04:00:22 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by Covert_Oddity:
With rechargeables in general, particularly the modern ones, it's a good idea every so often (though perhaps not necessarily as often as once a month) to let the battery completely discharge, then leave it overnight and then put it on a full charge, usually for around 12 hours or so if possible.
I'm not sure as to the chemistry behind this but I have read over and over again that doing this will increase the useful life of the battery and keep it in good condition allowing it to retain charge better.
I'm sure there will be someone here who can explain exactly why this is, and I would be pretty interested to hear if they can! |
I thought they'd pretty much overcome the "memory" problems of earlier rechargeables? |
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12/20/2008 12:54:38 PM · #6 |
I had thought so too BeeCee but it seems over time even the modern batteries lose their max capacity. I think the average is 1-2 years from the battery manufacture date before it losses most of its capacity.
As for leaving the batteries charging all the time there is a simple way to check I believe, put your hand on it a couple hours or longer after it is charged, if it is warm or hot then it harming it, if it is cool your charger knows enough to turn off. I think most chargers these days know, it isn't a very complicated trick.
A battery is conductive, meaning voltage can pass through it, this is in fact how batteries are charged. As they become full, less and less voltage can pass through. The charger can monitor this and adjust the voltage it uses to charge with. Ideally for best battery health a charger should stop at 75% and then continue at half-voltage, this gives the battery a chance to relax and cool.
One other thing that can affect the modern battery is it becoming stale. If a battery is not used (charged and discharged at least a little a few times a month) it can become sluggish. This is because the electrons inside get lazy and comfortable and don't want to get moving.
So sitting on a charger a lot means less discharging and the battery can get lazy, thankfully this is easy to fix, just use one to about half, then charge again, and repeat a few times and it will loosen up.
And thank you Covert_Oddity for your input. I thought that was the case but had never heard anyone mention it before like I've heard about laptops recently. I guess it is just something people over look. :)
Be well all, keep any questions coming if I have confused anyone with the above.
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12/20/2008 02:25:37 PM · #7 |
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12/20/2008 02:48:23 PM · #8 |
Rechargeable batteries only really have a 3 year life span, no matter how vigilant you are in managing their life.
If you don't discharge the battery like the manufacture recommends, that life span decreases dramatically.
Boston Power has the next generation portable lithium ion batteries available with a 3 year warrenty attached, unlike other lithium ion batteries that only have 1 year warranties. Meaning, the BP battery is a longer lasting, environmentally friendly battery.
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