We all hate it when our phone vibrates to tell us that the battery is running low — especially when you made the effort to charge it befo...
We all hate it when our phone vibrates to tell us that the battery is running low — especially when you made the effort to charge it before leaving home.
Unfortunately, if your battery runs low very quickly, it is likely partially your fault. A new study from Battery University tells us that everything that we thought that we knew about charging our devices might be wrong.
According to the study, lithium-ion batteries experience a certain amount of stress. And, like humans, it's best to treat this stress with softness and care.
Battery University is an information site that gives tips on how to maintain its batteries used by the Cadex brand. Here are three tips that the University gives to help make your battery's life easier.
1. Don't Leave Fully Charged
Devices Plugged In After you do intense exercise, you stretch out to relax your muscles. Now imagine that, after the effort, you continued for several hours straight. That is exactly what happens when you leave your phone charging overnight. According to the Battery University website, leaving your device plugged in after the battery is recharged can damage the battery after a certain period of time. When the battery is full and is connected, it switches to "trickle charge". This keeps the battery on and always 100%, but eventually damages the drivers in the long run. It is much better for the life of the battery if you unplug it once it's charged.
2. Don't Charge Your Battery to 100%
This may come as a surprise, but Battery University even advises not to charge your device completely, at least, if it is not essential. As it points out, "lithium-ion batteries do not need to be fully charged, and it is not desirable to do so. In fact, it is even better not to make a full charge because the high voltage stress the battery and use over the long term. [sic]" This may seem absurd, especially if you just have a few minutes of power, but it helps to prevent the battery's chemical components from reacting badly.
3. Charge Your Battery Several Times a Day Rather than an extensive charge when your battery dies, Battery University suggests charging it several times throughout the day. According to the website, it would be ideal if you could recharge each time your battery is drained by 10%, though this is not very convenient, especially when on the go. Instead, you should plug in your device as soon as you can and connect and disconnect the battery several times a day. This not only keeps the battery in good condition, but keeps your battery level stable, and allows you to keep using applications and energy-conserving features, such as GPS, for longer. Keep it Cool You've probably noticed that smartphones hate heat. For example, iPhone users who leave their devices in the sun might receive a message indicating that the phone is overheating. To avoid overheating, keep smartphones in the shade or cover them.
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