In modern society, very often you can hear opposing opinions about the features of using batteries. A similar situation has arisen due to the fact that the development of innovations in the field of portable electronics and technology is very impulsive and society does not always have time to quickly respond to improvements.
It is precisely because of this that numerous stereotypes breed, which do not always correspond to the reality of modern times.
City's legends
Previously, in almost all types of electronic devices, nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride batteries were installed. When using these galvanic cells, it was necessary to completely discharge, which allowed to extend their service life and prevent a drop in energy intensity. Now these batteries have not lost their positions, but the scope of their application has shifted, now they can not be found in mobile phones, laptops or tablets. But the seller’s catchphrase “first discharge, then charge, repeat three times” still occurs. After all, such a useful advice in society was remembered, and now it is passed from mouth to mouth. However, the development of progress went on, and Ni-Cd, Ni-MH-energy cells began to be replaced by a Li-ion battery, and a little later, by a lithium-polymer one. Nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride cells began to be found in less efficient electronics - calculators, navigators, amateur cameras, and so on. While their more innovative counterparts have found their niche in laptops, mobile phones, smartphones, tablets and more.
Principles of use
The design by which a Li-ion battery is created requires a specific relationship to it. He does not tolerate a deep discharge and may even fail if such a situation repeats. Therefore, all devices that use them are not sold shrunken - the service life of their energy cells is significantly extended. However, the ossified thinking of the masses does its dirty deed - you still hear voices transmitting word of mouth how to charge a Li-ion battery, focusing on the common rules for Ni-Cd, Ni-MH galvanic cells or not even focusing on their type . After all, even the storage of these energy cells must be carried out in different ways. It is important to completely discharge nickel-cadmium or metal hydride, while lithium-ion and lithium-polymer must, on the contrary, leave an energy reserve of 60-80 percent.
Complaints and Liability
Very often you can hear from people that the Li-ion battery you purchased does not last for a long time and you have to change it again. For example, after a while, the phone discharges very quickly. Although after the purchase, he could work for a very long time and pleased his owner. If you look, then the blame for such a mess lies not with the manufacturers, but with the conditions under which the Li-ion batteries were charged and used. After all, all the harmful models of human treatment with them have already been described above, and the owner only strictly follows them.
Application features
So, when modern energy cells work in harsh environmental conditions (in cold or cold), the battery spends much more resources than in a warm room, which leads to its increased wear. In such cases, it is most rational to use electronics not too intensively (do not start GPRS Internet, navigation, games and other resource-intensive applications), then the service life will be much longer. A logical question also arises: how to charge a Li-ion battery under such conditions? The device must be connected to power sources in a warm room, when it is not completely sat down. Thus, the battery is operated in the most favorable conditions for which it was developed.
"Preservation" of galvanic cells
If you need to keep the Li-ion 18650 battery, which is used irregularly or one-time for various devices, in working condition, then the following measures should be taken:
- charge it up to 40-50 percent;
- Remove from device
- hermetically pack in polyethylene, if possible, create a vacuum in this package;
- fold each battery separately from the others;
- move the galvanic cells to the refrigerator (but not to the freezer);
- once a few months, remove from there and after warming up at room temperature, restore to the above capacity;
- fully charge before intensive use.
These measures will help preserve your battery, and it will not lose its effectiveness. Since they are intended for continuous use only in conditions where you yourself would feel comfortable - at room temperature or close to it.
Using quality equipment
In addition, any type of battery - Li-ion, Ni-Cd, Ni-MH - must be charged with the original device, which is recommended by its manufacturer, since cheaper analogues are very different from the original equipment in their parameters. Indeed, even a slight excess of the rated voltage can reduce the battery life by almost half. With the opposite course of events, that is, a decrease of only 0.1 volts, the battery life is reduced by more than 10 percent, and the battery never fully charges. With regular use in this mode, it loses its capacity and no longer matches the manufacturer's declared values.