- How should I charge my battery the first time?
- How long does it take to fully charge a
battery?
- Will overcharging my battery hurt it?
- What is "Memory Effect"?
- What is the difference between a
Lithium-ion and a Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery?
- Why is my battery
performance less than the advertised Talk and Stand-by times?
- How can I maximize the performance of my
battery?
- How long will a battery last?
- How can I find out the size and battery capacity
information?
- Why can’t I find
a Lithium-ion battery that matches the voltage specified for my phone?
-
What is the difference between battery models (Slim, Super, Extended, Auxiliary etc.)?
- Where can I go to learn more?
For
the first 3 charge cycles, a new battery should be fully charged
before being used and then allowed to fully discharge before recharging.
This will help ensure a true "full charge" of
the battery during the first few cycles and will condition the
battery for optimal performance. Proper conditioning of
a new NiMH battery is critical to achieving optimal performance.
While less critical for Lithium-ion batteries, proper conditioning
will provide benefits to new Lithium-ion batteries. Note
that when a new battery is first charged, it is not unusual for
the battery to show a full charge after only a short period of
time. If this occurs, keep the battery on the charger overnight
to help ensure a true full charge. Removing the battery
momentarily from the charger and then replacing it may also help.
(see
BatteryTips
).
The
time required to charge a battery depends on the battery type, the capacity
of the battery, and the type of charger being used. A higher mAh battery will take longer to charge than a lower mAh
battery. In general, it will take 3-4 hours to "rapid charge"
a battery to the 80% level, and an additional 8 hours to “slow or
trickle” charge a battery to the 100% level. A good approach is to charge your battery overnight for about 12
hours. (more about chargers)
Yes,
overcharging a battery causes it to overheat and can result in damage
to the battery, causing degraded performance and eventual failure.
As a general rule, do not charge a battery for more than 24 hours.
"Memory
Effect" is a condition of reduced battery performance (and
eventual failure) due to a battery only using those cells that
are fully discharged and charged on a regular basis. In
other words, if on a regular basis a NiCd or NiMH battery is only
partially discharged before being recharged, it "forgets"
that it has usable capacity to further discharge all the way down.
The result is degraded battery performance and shorter battery
life because the battery is using less than it's true full capacity.
Lithium-ion batteries do not develop "memory effect".
NiMH batteries, while considerably better than their NiCd counterparts,
are prone to developing "memory effect." However,
proper care and conditioning over the life of a NiMH battery will
significantly reduce the potential negative impacts.
(see
Battery
Tips ).
In
general, a Lithium-ion battery will provide slightly higher performance
at a lighter weight than a NiMH battery (a Lithium-ion battery
will typically offer 10-20% better performance and weigh 20-35%
less than a NiMH battery with equivalent mAh).
In addition, Lithium-ion batteries are the only batteries
not susceptible to "memory effect". As a result,
you will typically pay a premium for these qualities.
NiMH batteries, while much better than their NiCd counterparts,
may develop the "memory effect" and experience degraded
performance over the life of the battery. Proper care
and conditioning of a NiMH battery will significantly reduce the
potential negative impact of the "memory effect."
(see
Battery
Tips ).
Many
factors affect the actual talk and stand-by times of a battery.
The conditioning of the battery, the type of service – digital
or analog, the options selected on the phone, service area signal strength,
the accessories used, the typical operating temperature, etc., all affect
battery performance. The
manufacturer’s specified talk and stand-by times typically represent
"up to" or maximum battery performance under optimal conditions.
Depending on these factors, the performance you experience may
be more or less than the specified talk and stand-by times.
There
are several things that can be done to maximize battery performance:
In summary,
- Properly
"condition" your battery when it is new (this is particularly
important for NiMH batteries)
- Keep
your phone, batteries, and the contact terminals clean. The contacts
can easily be cleaned with cotton swab and rubbing alcohol.
- Avoid
exposing the battery to extreme heat and cold.
- Use
the battery. If possible, avoid letting your battery sit dormant
for long periods of time.
- Use
only the phone options and accessories that you really need.
- If
the battery is to be idle for an extended period (a month or more),
store it in a cool, clean, dry location. Charge and re-condition
it upon re-use.
In
general, the life of a regularly used battery is between 300 and 500 charge/discharge
cycles. Depending on the battery, this translates into a 1-to-2
year timeframe. As a battery nears the end of it's productive life
(typically considered 50% of its original capacity), the talk and stand-by
times of the battery will be noticeably shorter. It is interesting
to note that a Lithium-ion battery will, over it's useful lifetime, maintain
more of a full capacity charge and then "die" rather suddenly;
a NiMH battery will demonstrate a more gradual decline in performance
as it nears the end of it's productive life.
Size
and performance specifications for batteries are found in the product
tables.
Where available, specifications for Weight, Thickness, Talk and
Stand-by time, milli-Ampere hours (mAh), and Voltage are provided.
Lithium-ion
batteries typically operate at slightly higher voltage levels than their
NiMH counterparts (for example, a 7.2V Lithium-ion is the typical equivalent
for a 6.0V NiMH).
The higher voltage Lithium-ion batteries are completely compatible
and will not adversely effect the phone.
Different
battery models provide different performance advantages.
In general:
Slim:
A thinner, lighter battery manufactured to still provide excellent
capacity.
Extended:
A battery manufactured for increased capacity (longer talk &
stand-by times).
Main:
Main battery for phone models that allow for simultaneous use of
a main battery and a second, auxiliary battery.
Auxiliary:
The second (“piggyback”) battery for phones that allow
a main and auxiliary battery.
Super:
A battery manufactured with “extra, extra” performance,
such as a Slim Super.
Vibrational:
A battery manufactured to enable “vibration mode” on
phones that support this function.
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