Charging batteries early

[ubergeek922]

Any harm in charging protected or Imr batteries early? If I'm going out of the house for a bit I usually grab a fully charged battery if I'm not sure when I'll be back. This means the battery in taking out may only be at 3.8 or 3.9. Any issues here? Should I use it again to lower the voltage before charging?

 

[AttyPops]

Short answer....go ahead and do either. Not discharging as far may even extend battery life. However, I'll bet that in practicality you don't get those #'s or it would already be a nearly fresh battery. They drop from 4.2 volts to about 3.7 volts fairly quickly.

Many charge at just under 3.6 volts deliberately. However, charging before that (like when it's 3.7) "wastes" the extra time you'd have for the battery since it's rated as a 3.7/3.6 volt battery anyway.

 

[AlexB]

Charging AW's early is actually recommended to prolong battery life, contrary to popular belief. Think of it like a rubber band. When you completely charge and drain a battery, it is like stretching a rubber band as far as it can go. While you can do this a few times, eventually, the rubber band will lose its original elasticity, and become useless. Whereas if you stretch it only half way, it will prolong its lifespan. Same concept applies to batteries.

 

[volume control]

It is best to charge your battery at 60-80% to get the most overall mah throughout its lifespan

 

[greywolff]

I would apply the cell phone battery philosophy ... doesn't really matter when you charge it as long as you charge it all the way