On 3/20/07, Aaron Konstam <akonstam@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
The issue I think is this. Some types of batteries have memory in the sense if you change them when they are half charged they will henceforth only discharge halfway. Batteries generally put in laptops and cell phones (LI-Ion) this fault as far as I know and therefore they can be discharged and charged at will. Also it is my belief that the circuitry in these devices will not allow over charging.
Please read the Wikipedia article on Li-Ion batteries. It is quite informative and well referenced. What you describe is characteristic of Ni-Cad batteries. In summary, the tips to keeping a healthy Li-Ion battery are: - Use them new ... don't keep spares as they start aging as soon as they are manufactured - Don't completely deeply discharge them as it may kill them but partial cycling is fine - Store them with partial charge rather than at full charge - Store them in the cold (but well above -40deg) - Read your owners manual - Do not eat :] (OK ... maybe I made up those last two ... but they are good advice anyways) Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li-ion
