How Often Should I Charge My PV's Battery to Prolong Its Lifespan? - Tip

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originally posted here http://wp.me/p2luP3-a2

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There's more to just chagrin a battery when it is depleted - they require some maintenance in order for them to continue to function correctly and prolong their lifespan.


Lithium-ion batteries are different from older, nickel-based batteries - charging them incorrectly can decrease their lifespan. Most lithium batteries should last you a few years, but improper care can decrease that lifespan - your battery will be unable to hold a charge, or unable to hold as big a charge as it used to, and take longer to charge.


If you own more than one PV there is a good chance that they don't all use the same battery type. If you're not rotating your PV's often - your batteries aren't getting the exercise they need to stay strong - a good charge!


Exercise your batteries
Most of us have a few bats we don't use often and end up sitting on our shelf. There's nothing wrong with that - but make sure at least once a month you pull them out and give them a shallow charge just to keep the electrolytes going. If they sit to long with no activity they will die a lot quicker.


Shallow Discharges
Lithium-ion batteries work best when you don't discharge them to 0%. Battery University recommends that discharges to 50% are better for your battery's long-term lifespan. This is because 50% discharges provide the best number of cycles-to-usage ratio.

However, that being said most vapers tend to lean towards the 30%-40% discharge - this is when less vapor is produced and flavour can start to decrease - regardless of the voltage.


Some modern MOD's have on board features that shut your PV down before your battery is at 0% - that' a cool and useful feature. I know the Lavatube 1.5-T does this.


You don't have to charge to 100%
Similar to shallow discharges - lithium-ion batteries work best when they are not fully charged to 100%. You may have heard of the 40%-80% rule - this is a good guideline to follow. Staying within that range can help prolong your batteries lifespan. However, if you do charge it to 100% don't leave it plugged in to long, most of do this, it can degrade the batteries health quickly. If you are charging over night, which is not recommended, make sure to use a smart charger - a charger that shuts off when the battery reaches it's capacity.


Don't overheat your PV
This is pretty obvious - but still needs to be said. Always make sure to keep you batteries cool! Most modern MOD's have vent holes and other on board features to help prevent batterires from over heating, however it can still happen.


Hopefully these tips will come in handy - remember these are only guidelines and you don't need to be strict. In the end no matter what we do our batteries will still die in few years.
 

Phoenix07013

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Very good info, thanks, I researched this a while back, here's a quote from Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries
Which is where I saw that table
"Li-ion does not need to be fully charged, as is the case with lead acid, nor is it desirable to do so. In fact, it is better not to fully charge, because high voltages stresses the battery. Choosing a lower voltage threshold, or eliminating the saturation charge altogether, prolongs battery life but this reduces the runtime. Since the consumer market promotes maximum runtime, these chargers go for maximum capacity rather than extended service life."

My questions are these, is it different on Li-Mn batteries? How would I check and monitor my battery's charge level on lower end chargers?
Thansk for your input, I'm still super new at all of this
 
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My questions are these, is it different on Li-Mn batteries? How would I check and monitor my battery's charge level on lower end chargers?
Thansk for your input, I'm still super new at all of this

Both are Lithium Ion base battery but with slightly different chemical properties.

As a consumer there is no difference in terms of performance. However, Li-mn are encased in metal like regualr AA Alkaline battery, Li-po are are encased in a soft gel pack.

They both use the same type of charger.

However, Li-Mn packs don't explode if overcharged or over-discharged.

In terms of checking voltage - use a multimeter.
 

Phoenix07013

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May 31, 2012
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clarkston, mi, USA
Both are Lithium Ion base battery but with slightly different chemical properties.

As a consumer there is no difference in terms of performance. However, Li-mn are encased in metal like regualr AA Alkaline battery, Li-po are are encased in a soft gel pack.

They both use the same type of charger.

However, Li-Mn packs don't explode if overcharged or over-discharged.

In terms of checking voltage - use a multimeter.

Lol, fair enough...
Another question, I read in the orbtronic site that fully charged batteries should not be stored for extended periods of time. Any input as to why this is? What's considered an extended period of time?
I bought 3 sets of batteries for my Vmax that I like to keep charged and on reserve for when I need them, after reading this I've started using my batteries until they drop to a voltage reading of 7ish and then put them away and switch to the next set. I'm just curious as to why. I'm assuming lifespan... Any safety concerns?
 
Lol, fair enough...
Another question, I read in the orbtronic site that fully charged batteries should not be stored for extended periods of time. Any input as to why this is? What's considered an extended period of time?
I bought 3 sets of batteries for my Vmax that I like to keep charged and on reserve for when I need them, after reading this I've started using my batteries until they drop to a voltage reading of 7ish and then put them away and switch to the next set. I'm just curious as to why. I'm assuming lifespan... Any safety concerns?

As far a I know Lithium-ion batteries can hold a charge for months (how many, not sure). It is best to store a lithium-ion battery with a partial or full charge. Occasionally, if a lithium-ion battery with a very low charge is stored for a long period of time (many months) its voltage can slowly drop to below the level at which its built in safety mechanism allows it to be charged again.

But I have never really found any "real" data on this.

As mentioned in in post, make sure you charge your bats monthly.
 
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