08-14-2006, 11:32 AM
This is called cycling a battery, and should be done to all non lead acid batteries. Especially important in the first 3 or 4 charging cycles. You should notice longer life after that.
Im a bit of a nazi about it, I always let my cell completely discharge before charging back up (i have a cheap ebay battery that i use while main battery is charging)
same with my digi camera and mp3 player.
my old phone was on its original battery when the screen broke, and it had better life than when it was brand new.
newer technology lithium ion and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) show less of a memory effect but it is definately still there.
With laptops its very important, since much of the time you use the laptop while plugged in which really magnifies the memory effect. I have coworkers whose laptops wouldnt go 15 minutes on a full charge.
periodically I unplug my laptop until it gives me the 3% warning then plug it back in.
Im a bit of a nazi about it, I always let my cell completely discharge before charging back up (i have a cheap ebay battery that i use while main battery is charging)
same with my digi camera and mp3 player.
my old phone was on its original battery when the screen broke, and it had better life than when it was brand new.
newer technology lithium ion and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) show less of a memory effect but it is definately still there.
With laptops its very important, since much of the time you use the laptop while plugged in which really magnifies the memory effect. I have coworkers whose laptops wouldnt go 15 minutes on a full charge.
periodically I unplug my laptop until it gives me the 3% warning then plug it back in.