I like to think of myself as technologically-inclined, but one thing I still can't grasp is batteries and what is and isn't a good thing for your batteries. I feel I'm getting close to a concrete answer now though. I was wondering if I could get some clarification? It's my understanding that with Nickel-Cadmium batteries (I think that's what NiCad stands for), they developed a memory and you had to be super careful not to charge it until it was absolutely necessary, otherwise you might be dealing with a battery that lasts only 20 minutes as opposed to 2 hours. But Lithium-Ion batteries are highly advanced past this danger period. Older generations of Lithium-Ion batteries you had to be careful about overcharging and running out of life completely, but it seems these problems are now over with, the "running out completely" being alleviated by devices that know when to shut off and whatnot. So now, do I have the rules of new-age Lithium-Ion batteries correct here? - Their lives are based in charge cycles, meaning going from 0% to 100%. - it's actually healthier to charge the battery when it is between 60% and 90%, and charging frequently is recommended. - it is safe to have your devices on their charger for a long period of time. And there is no risk of your battery losing capacity - it's recommended that you do a full cycle charge every month Do I finally have these rules right? I'm asking mainly for my iPad 2. Like is it a bad idea to wait until it is at 5% battery to charge it, and would it be a good idea to charge it between the 60 and 90 percent range instead. And are there any risks of the battery getting hurt and losing capacity if I kept the iPad 2 on the charger when I wasn't using it? I don't know anything about these batteries 100% except that rechargeable batteries are more resilient than ever, and LiIon >>>>>>> NiCad. Those are the only things I'm 100% sure on. Thanks in advance for any clarifications and help
Conditioning your battery can never hurt, but the newer Lion batteries shouldn't have the memory effect problem at all. It used to be that if you didn't run them down all the way, it would think something like 50% left was actually 0% left. My rule of thumb for my iPad is using it till it's around 10%, then charging it. I don't take it out of the house much, so I'm always near a charger. One charge will easily last a day of heavy use though. As far as overcharging, I can attest to it not having an effect on an iPad 1. I'll leave it on overnight, and the whole next day, and it's still just as good as when I bought it. Different people will tell you different things, but if your that worried about it, follow those rules and it'll be just fine.
Those are the rules I follow exactly. Or the rules I say I follow but actually charge my device whenever I feel like it.
I think the only thing you can rely on is they only last about 500 charges and all apple devices are designed so you can't change them and this is taken to even further extremes with the ipad2 where not even apple can switch them easily because the screen is glued permanently on and to change the battery will mean a new screen as well. So basicly you get about 500 charges each gradually worse than the last you also need to charge them regularly even if you aren't using the device or they will die anyway. Battery conditioning apps are a complete con by the way.
Pretty much, but the part about leaving devices on charge for longer actually depends on the device hardware/software, not the battery. Pretty much anything Apple should be safe, but cheaper stuff might not be. If it recognises when it's fully charged similar to how the icon changes on an iPhone from an electricty bolt to an electrical plug then it's probably safe. If it seems to think it's charging forever then you might have a problem.
These all look great - the only one I've heard debate on is the "full cycle once a month" - not even our engineers are decided on that one. I'm in the "charge any time I can" camp. If I'm at my desk for more than a few minutes (at work or at home) I plug in my iPhone (often with Flip Clock running ) and quite often I can be seen in one of the break rooms lounging on a couch with a charger and a USB extension cable. Phone stays plugged in all night at home as well. Battery is still holding up well on my 2nd gen iPod Touch from usage like this (daughter now has the iPod.)
