Electronic Toy Batteries

[Ginger]

Ok.

I've got a couple expensive electric toys. Notably, I caved on my cell phone and bought a nice one, and I've got an iPod Nano. Somebody told me, about the phone once, that I should use it until the battery is 100% dead to make sure that it doesn't develop a memory. I did, and noticed that the battery life seemed to be much greater after the completely dead rechard. I tried the same thing on my iPod to good results. Ever since then I've tried to do this once every couple weeks or so.

Is this something you should be doing to all rechargable batteries to get good service life out of them? Will it ultimately shorten the life of them? Am I the subject of a bad placebo effect? I'm thinking about buying a friend's laptop - would the same advice carry over to those batteries?

[Evan]

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.

[CaptainHenreh]

Li-Ion batteries do not have a memory effect.

Ni-MH have a minimal memory effect (or actually, no memory effect at all, just a voltage drop problem)

NiCD batteries are the ones you have to watch, but I very seriously doubt you're using a NiCD in your iPod.

In other words, don't worry about it. Your Lithium Ion batteries in your ipod, cell phone, and probably laptop DO NOT develop "memories".

[Evan]

In other words, don't worry about it. Your Lithium Ion batteries in your ipod, cell phone, and probably laptop DO NOT develop "memories".

they sure do. marketing material says they dont, but tests and personal experience says they do.

[CaptainHenreh]

In other words, don't worry about it. Your Lithium Ion batteries in your ipod, cell phone, and probably laptop DO NOT develop "memories".

they sure do. marketing material says they dont, but tests and personal experience says they do.

Show me.

[Evan]

In other words, don't worry about it. Your Lithium Ion batteries in your ipod, cell phone, and probably laptop DO NOT develop "memories".

they sure do. marketing material says they dont, but tests and personal experience says they do.

Show me.

I have coworkers whose laptops wouldnt go 15 minutes on a full charge.

also, my first cell phone (li ion) wouldnt last a day of standby after 6 months of plugging it in every night.

ipods are notorious for batteries going dead, which is compounded by the battery not being replacable.
Apple actually got class action sued for this a couple years ago.

YMMV, but Ill cycle mine. It sure doesnt hurt.

[Kaan]

Li-Ion batteries do not have a memory effect.

Ni-MH have a minimal memory effect (or actually, no memory effect at all, just a voltage drop problem)

NiCD batteries are the ones you have to watch, but I very seriously doubt you're using a NiCD in your iPod.

In other words, don't worry about it. Your Lithium Ion batteries in your ipod, cell phone, and probably laptop DO NOT develop "memories".

I have all three types of batteries for my R/C car. I have three discharge systems, a cycler, and one of the best chargers ever made for them... the cells STILL develop memory! i sware on all that is holy! buy me a new pack and we can run the hell out of them (after letting them cool after each use) and i'll show you how fast memory will creep in... even with all the dischargers, cyclers, and awesome chargers... cells still die they read great numbers... for about 15 seconds lol

[ViPER1313]

My cell battery (Li-ion) is 3 years old, I charge it up at the end of every day and it has never developed a memory - it will still go for 3 days or so before dying. I have never had the best of luck with Ni-MH batterys - they are really suceptable to overheating if your charger is too powerful and die quickly afterwords. In my experience, if you have AA or AAA rechargeables you can extend their life a lot by not using a quick charger - it seems to burn them out in short time.

[CaptainHenreh]

Well, YMMV indeed.

I had to study this shit when I worked for RS. Batteries are a large portion of profit for the 'Shack, and they attempt to train their associates accordingly.

LiIon batteries lose their life over time, and the life is further reduced by exposure to heat.

In fact, Lithium Ion batteries *can't* be discharged to Zero. An IC in the battery pack prevents this. So if you can't discharge it fully, what's the point of manually discharging it?

I say, don't worry about it. It's not such a big deal you need to fuss over discharging your battery before every charge.

[Evan]

I worked for circuit city.
I also stayed at a holiday inn express last night

wheeeeeee!

[Kaan]

well i dont recommend trying it at home... but the LiIon battery "discharger"... bascially shorts them out everything associated with the R/C world said to do it... they wont run for the full time like they used to but they make good practice and break in packs. so i still have some of those.

[CaptainHenreh]

I worked for circuit city.
I also stayed at a holiday inn express last night

wheeeeeee!

Look, all I'm saying is that everyone says anecdotal evidence doesn't count. All I'm asking is for some evidence that LiIon batteries have a memory effect.

Do they lose capacity after being exposed to heat? (like an Ipod left in a hot car?) Yes! Do they lose capacity over time, as much as 20% a year? YES! Do they have a memory effect? No. So, should you discharge them fully before you charge them? I say no, but my words are backed only by science.

[Evan]

relax Rex, it was a joke, see the -> <- ?
i gave my opinoin and cited some examples and im fine if you dont agree. Im not out to change the world
ps- if you are going to claim science, lets see it. Im genuinely interested. A radio shack training manual doesnt pass for it.

[CaptainHenreh]

relax Rex, it was a joke, see the -> <- ?
i gave my opinoin and cited some examples and im fine if you dont agree. Im not out to change the world

Yeah, I know. But after driving the RX-8 yesterday (as opposed to the Manly, But Boring Durango) I've got fire in my blood and I want to fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!!!

YOUR MOM'S A WHORE!

[Evan]

relax Rex, it was a joke, see the -> <- ?
i gave my opinoin and cited some examples and im fine if you dont agree. Im not out to change the world

Yeah, I know. But after driving the RX-8 yesterday (as opposed to the Manly, But Boring Durango) I've got fire in my blood and I want to fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!!!

YOUR MOM'S A WHORE!

I told you fuckers that its a good car!!!
damn Haters! (oh wait, thats me)

[JustinG]

But after driving the RX-8 yesterday (as opposed to the Manly, But Boring Durango)

u got an RX-8? or just T-Driving

EDIT: Clarified by the ass hat known as Adam

[CaptainHenreh]

But after driving the RX-8 yesterday (as opposed to the Manly, But Boring Durango)

u got an RX-8? or just T-Driving

EDIT: Clarified by the ass hat known as Adam

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.mmsports.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=91185#91185">http://www.mmsports.org/forum/viewtopic ... 1185#91185</a><!-- m -->