Do you need to charge your phone twice a day after using it for a short time? Do you always worry about the battery life of the newly bought electric car, but it is too expensive to replace it? This is a common problem for many people. In fact, as long as you master some simple and correct maintenance methods, you can make the battery last longer. Not only can you save money on replacing batteries or equipment, but it will also be more worry-free and even more environmentally friendly. This article is to provide you with a set of best practices based on scientific principles, which are very practical and easy to operate.
Table of Contents
ToggleKey factors affecting battery life and countermeasures
Shallow charging and shallow discharge, scientific charging. You need to break the misunderstanding of full charging and full discharge. It is recommended to maintain the power level in a comfortable zone of 20% to 80%. Lithium batteries have no memory effect, so it is completely fine to charge them whenever you use them. It is better to charge them in small amounts and multiple times. It is recommended to use original or quality-certified chargers and data cables to reduce the risks that may be caused by inferior products.
Fast charging can definitely bring you convenience, but long-term or frequent use (especially at high temperatures) may indeed cause some additional loss of battery life. If you are not in a hurry, it is recommended to use normal charging mode instead.
Temperature management is very important. High temperature is the biggest killer of batteries. Leaving your phone in the car in the summer, in direct sunlight, or covering the heat dissipation port while charging, etc., these scenarios in our daily use will accelerate the aging of the battery. In addition, it is strictly forbidden to charge the battery below zero degrees (0℃), which can easily cause permanent damage. Room temperature (15°C ~ 25°C) is the best working temperature for the battery.
If you need to store it for a long time, the best practice is to keep the battery at 40%-60% and store it in a cool, dry environment. If the storage time is particularly long, we recommend taking it out every few months to measure the battery level. If it is too low, replenish it to the recommended storage level.
How to extend battery lifespan
Now that we have explored the factors that affect battery life, we have summarized and distilled them into a series of best practice steps that you can follow directly.
Avoid extreme temperatures
Stay away from extreme temperatures. High temperatures (such as exposure to the sun, hot car interior) are accelerators of battery aging, and charging is absolutely prohibited in severe cold (especially below zero degrees). This is an important principle for us to avoid extreme temperatures.
Maintaining a partial charge level
Try to avoid leaving the battery at 100% or completely drained (0%) for long periods of time. The ideal state is to keep it in the middle area (such as 20%-80%).
Use proper charging method
It is recommended to charge with an original or reliable charger and data cable, and try to choose a charging rate of 0.2C ~ 0.5C. Of course, many lithium batteries now support fast charging, 2C, 5C, etc. If it is not an emergency, fast charging is not recommended.
Store batteries properly
Keep the battery charge at about 50% and store it in a cool, dry environment. If conditions permit, it is recommended that you store the battery in a separate room and avoid storing it together with flammable materials, cartons, etc.
Minimize high loads and pressures
Long-term high-power operations, such as playing large games and running complex applications, especially when charging or in high-temperature environments, will put additional pressure on the battery and generate more heat, thus affecting its lifespan. We recommend that you use it in moderation, and pay special attention to avoid squeezing battery performance under extreme conditions.
Monitor self-discharge rate
Every battery will self-discharge, but monitoring the self-discharge rate requires professional tools and skills. You can try to use a multimeter to measure the current voltage and record it. After half a month, measure the battery voltage again and compare the voltage drop to determine whether the power loss rate is normal. A fast voltage drop is a sign of battery aging or problems.
Update device software
Device manufacturers often optimize power management strategies and improve energy efficiency through software updates. Therefore, keeping the operating system and applications updated to the latest version is a good habit to indirectly maintain the battery.
Replace in time
Finally, here is some practical advice on the end of the battery life cycle. After all, lithium batteries are consumables. When their capacity drops significantly, such as the battery life is only half of the original, or when physical damage such as bulging occurs, they should be replaced in time.
Common misconceptions
Today’s lithium batteries have no memory effect, do not require so-called activation, and do not need to be deliberately fully discharged.
Modern smartphones and chargers are designed with a perfect overcharge protection system. When the battery is fully charged, it will automatically stop or greatly reduce the charging current. Therefore, from a safety perspective, it is generally okay to charge overnight. However, if it is convenient to keep the battery at 100% full for a long time, you can unplug it after it is fully charged to make the battery last longer.
There is no need to calibrate the battery. Trust your device’s fuel gauge and use it normally. There is little need to bother with calibration, just let the system take care of it.
Conclusion
Stay away from extreme temperatures (especially high temperatures and sub-zero charging taboos), try to avoid leaving the battery fully charged or completely empty for a long time, and always use reliable charging equipment. Developing these good habits will be very beneficial in extending battery life and improving user experience in the long run, and this small investment is worth it. You can also contact us for more information.