Brava.
Actually, Ryan, and I hope I'm not alone in saying this, I would love for you to continue to post about your experience with batteries. As Katya said, many of us were "taught" as young vapers about li-ions having no memory, so this is news to me as well. INTERESTING news, and I would very much like to hear and learn more.
In fact, I have some preliminary questions. Is it too late to follow your protocols if one has already recharged the 'Stick when it was 1/2 to 1/4 full? Are there any repercussions (to the life of the battery) if one continued to fully discharge/recharge after the initial 4-5 charges? (would that hinder? help?)
Oh gosh, I don't wanna stir up any trouble so I will try to make this short and sweet.
First MAJOR problem is the factory shipping these at a full charge. Any and every lipo battery has a "storage charge", basically if you don't plan to use it for awhile, than it should be stored around 3.8 volts. A full charge storage can cause weakening of the internal cells, and less than half is where you run into the minor possibility of losing enough charge to where it gets overly discharged, rendering it trash can material. So, that is a major problem from the factory themselves.
Now, I would like to point out that the first 3-5 charges are the most crucial for the life of your battery. These initial charges kind of "program" the battery, I call it a break in period. Like with any electronic device, most all require a proper break in. I also like to start at lower voltages when it is brand new, and gradually work up. Kind of like when I put a brand new head in my Nauti, or slap a new coil on my dripper, I start low, and work up.
Now I am slightly ocd / perfectionist, so bare with me! I myself, like to always fully discharge between every cycle. Is it gonna kill you to charge on a half dead battery....no way. But, if you are as frugal as I am in making things last, than this is the approach you want to take. But, if that is to much for you, I would say at least every 5-10 charges, run it all the way down. I also like to have the device turned off during my charges. Taking the atty off during charges is mostly my ocd coming into play, but I don't deem this necessary!
So to sum up. Anytime you can fully discharge between each cycle is good. Try to do it as often as possible. Doing so you will surely get at least 400-500 long lasting cycles in the device. But as stated, the initial charges in a brand new cell is what really sets the tone! Now, does this mean that since you didn't fully discharge your new iStick a few times when you got it that it is gonna be worthless? Not the slightest, BUT! In time, you may start to see a descend in how long each charge lasts, as well as a shortened life span. With all of that said, heat is a batteries worst enemy. So, as long as she isn't ever getting say above 100 degrees F, than really you are doing a good job.
I gotta stop now, this is turning into a damn novel. Hope this helps someone for what it's worth.
Much love to all of you and this amazing forum that helps us all learn from honest individuals with real life experience.
Oh ya, did I mention how sexy the blue iStick is?
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