Got brand new batteries for my smok alien. I’ve read articles that say keep your batteries at a high charge for the longest battery life (short and long term) and I’ve also read articles that say I should let them get close to dying before charging them to preserve battery life (again both short and long term). So I’m not sure which one is the better option. Does anyone know which is better for the batteries?
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I really don't think it makes much difference unless you let them drain down too low. Most mods cut them off around 3.6 v to prevent that.
You might get a little better lifetime with recharging before they get that low. But not worth the hassle.
I have batteries that are over a year old and still in good shape. They are cheap anyway so no problem to replace.
You might get a little better lifetime with recharging before they get that low. But not worth the hassle.
I have batteries that are over a year old and still in good shape. They are cheap anyway so no problem to replace.
- Long term storage of unused batteries should be done in a dry place at room temperature (69 degrees F) at 40% voltage. Dispose of old unused batteries at a recycling center such as Radio Shack or Hope Depot.
Here is a Great Source of Information on Batteries...
How to Prolong Lithium-based Batteries - Battery University
Battery Information Table of Contents, Basic to Advanced
Unless you're using a mechanical mod, over-discharging your batteries is very hard to do.
It is good for Li ion cells to hit the charger at 3.3v, which where all but one my regulated mods say "charge!" The other stops me at 3.4v.
It is good for Li ion cells to hit the charger at 3.3v, which where all but one my regulated mods say "charge!" The other stops me at 3.4v.
It is either or in all honesty, or like Baditude posted above, for storage, long term their is a median charge between 3.4 to 3.7v for long term storage and keep them topped off and checked for voltage about every month to 2 months to keep them in that 3.4 to 3.7v range.
The next issue will be from your mod itself, amp limits on a dual battery mod like the Alien 220W, if you are 150watts plus you "Do Not" want to go down below 50% charge on your batteries with that mod, because it will battery error out at 5.6v total voltage (2.8v per battery) and that is way to low for the amount of amps that mod can ask from a pair of batteries.
220watts/5.6v=39.28amps
220watts/7.4v (3.7v per battery)=29.73amps.
Just FYI
Unless you over discharge them, the life isn't going to be affected much either way. LiIon batteries have a natural life cycle, and it is about 300 recharges. However, that's 300 full charges. If you recharge them at the halfway point, you only "use up" half of a charge. The short answer is don't over-discharge and otherwise don't think about it. They'll last long enough provided you buy quality cells.
Welcome and glad you joined.
I have followed the recommendations below for years and found the article to be accurate with regards to maintaining max. full charge between use.
Might like to read:
7 Best Practices to Keep Your Charge
Yup 300-500 and my mods cut off at 2.85v, 3.11v and 3.3v where batteries cut off at 2.5v so say with the 3.3v cut off you can expect closer to or over 500 charges. I had someone tell me I'm in for trouble using them almost 2 years now... they are fine. Drop 0.05v after charging overnight and don't get weak battery alerts till around 3.3v. Storing them incase of power outages but could easily get 2 years the way I vape.
I've rarely let my batteries drain all the way down before charging/swapping a fresh set. Almost all my batteries are 1-2 years old. Last week I had 1 battery in a three paired not accept a charge. So I broke that by tossing the bad one and keeping a two sat instead. I also ordered a bunch of batteries on Thanksgiving sale last week just to have a buffer. I have about 18 batteries (maybe, I lose count) and this is the first time an issue ever arose. Good batteries are reliable but they're not immortal.
"These ain't your granddad's rechargeables." Today's lithium batteries don't have the "memory" issues associated with ye olde NiCd batteries from the days of yore. Keep them topped up, go ahead and recharge whenever is convenient. There's no need to let them discharge all the way, and in fact letting them drain below 2.5 volts can permanently damage the battery. They don't hold up especially well to long-term storage under any conditions, but best results can be achieved at about half charge, or just under 3.7 volts.
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