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How to prolong lithium based batteries

batteryuniversity.com

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Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#21

Post by ssl-3 »

_yb2s wrote: post #19

Some tools I use to actually follow this advice on various devices: I use Chargie devices (chargie.org - no affiliation) to control maximum charge level, and set thermal limits on smartphones and other small devices that can't limit charge internally with software. I also use a Peltier cooled phone holder and charger in the car (about $50 on Amazon), so it keeps the phone cool when charging and processing hard during…

I just clip my phone cradle to an AC vent on the dash. I've been doing this since [checks calendar] 2014, when I retired the last phone I ever had that had a specialized window mount accessory available.

It cools when it is hot, and sometimes it warms when it is cold. Both things can be useful functions.

(Even on old junk I've had without functioning aircon, turning the selector to "Vent," the temperature to "Cold," and the fan to some speed other than "Off" works to circulate air around the phone.)

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#22

Post by oidar »

crazygringo wrote: post #18
gruez wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>1. It’s ok to keep laptop plugged in, even at 100% battery It might be "ok" to keep it plugged in at 100%, but if your laptop has a "battery conservation" mode that limits the charge to 80% (or similar), that's even better.

If you're on a Mac, you can install the free version of AlDente: https://github.com/AppHouseKitchen/AlDente-Charge-Limiter I keep my MBA at 60% since it basically never goes for more than a couple hours within being plugged in.

Also batfi - https://github.com/rurza/BatFi

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#23

Post by VygmraMGVl »

user_7832 wrote: post #11
girishso wrote: post #2

1. It’s ok to keep laptop plugged in, even at 100% battery 2. Keep temperature as low as possible, maintain airflow 3. Avoid fast chargers

> 3. Avoid fast chargers Isn't this primarily due to heat produced? Aka cool fast charging is better than warm slow charging. I seem to remember a tweet I think by Mishaal Rahman (or another android journalist) on this.

It's due to heat produced, gas generated from overvolting the battery, and stress gradients from different levels of charge across the battery.

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#24

Post by _yb2s »

ssl-3 wrote: post #21
_yb2s wrote: post #19

Some tools I use to actually follow this advice on various devices: I use Chargie devices (chargie.org - no affiliation) to control maximum charge level, and set thermal limits on smartphones and other small devices that can't limit charge internally with software. I also use a Peltier cooled phone holder and charger in the car (about $50 on Amazon), so it keeps the phone cool when charging and processing hard during…

I just clip my phone cradle to an AC vent on the dash. I've been doing this since [checks calendar] 2014, when I retired the last phone I ever had that had a specialized window mount accessory available. It cools when it is hot, and sometimes it warms when it is cold. Both things can be useful functions. (Even on old junk I've had without functioning aircon, turning the selector to "Vent," the temperature to "Cold,"…

That works on some cars, but I prefer having the phone up high so I can keep my eyes on the road, and I drive a convertible with the top usually down, so like to leave the HVAC off.

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#25

Post by VygmraMGVl »

kccqzy wrote: post #20
ssl-3 wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In absolute terms, cooler isn't always better. For example, Tesla has a pre- heat function for their cars' batteries that can be used prior to charging. https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/model3/en_us/GUID-F907200...

That affects charging speed, not battery longevity.

It can affect battery longevity. If you charge lithium ion at cold enough temperatures, you get lithium plating which rapidly degrades capacity and can lead to internal shorts and fires.

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#26

Post by delecti »

zimpenfish wrote: post #6
ianschmitz wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish more devices offered a way to enable a “slow charge” mode. When I’m plugging my laptop into my dock to work for the next 8 hours it doesn’t need fast charging. When I’m plugging my phone in before bed to charge for the next 8 hours it doesn’t need fast charging.

> When I’m plugging my phone in before bed to charge for the next 8 hours it doesn’t need fast charging. iPhones do this with "Optimised Battery Charging" turned on (which I believe is the default setting) - "allow iPhone to wait to finish charging past 80% until the time you need to use it" (which it learns over time.)

Android has something similar. A notification pops up when I plug in at night, letting me know that it's charging slowly because I usually leave it plugged in overnight, and that I can disable it (once or permanently) to switch to fast charging.

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#27

Post by ein0p »

crazygringo wrote: post #18
gruez wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>1. It’s ok to keep laptop plugged in, even at 100% battery It might be "ok" to keep it plugged in at 100%, but if your laptop has a "battery conservation" mode that limits the charge to 80% (or similar), that's even better.

If you're on a Mac, you can install the free version of AlDente: https://github.com/AppHouseKitchen/AlDente-Charge-Limiter I keep my MBA at 60% since it basically never goes for more than a couple hours within being plugged in.

I think (though I might be wrong) charging of Apple hardware detects usage patterns and it would already not charge the battery to 100% if you’re frequently plugged in.

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#28

Post by serpix »

Filligree wrote: post #7

I wish I could find this information for LFP batteries. There’s a lot out there, but it’s all mixed with advice for LiPo; I can’t find anything I trust to tell me the optimal voltages for maximum lifetime.

Lfp voltages are all over the place and even after charging to 90% the voltage drops back down. They might not care much at all being charged to high percentages. There is no reliable way to know the SoC other than coulomb counting and regular 100% top balancing.

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#29

Post by izzydata »

speedgoose wrote: post #8

I’m not a battery expert but some coworkers from the battery lab at work are, and they say that charging more often is better than doing big cycles. On most chemistries. In more concrete terms, it’s better to keep the state of charge between for example 60 to 30% compared to for example 80% to 15%. Big cycles like 100% to 5% are the most damaging over time.

Do you know if it is true that a battery reporting 100% is really only 80% and 0% is really about 20%? I heard that somewhere, but have had trouble confirming it. At least for something like a common smartphone.

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#30

Post by locofocos »

_yb2s wrote: post #19

Some tools I use to actually follow this advice on various devices: I use Chargie devices (chargie.org - no affiliation) to control maximum charge level, and set thermal limits on smartphones and other small devices that can't limit charge internally with software. I also use a Peltier cooled phone holder and charger in the car (about $50 on Amazon), so it keeps the phone cool when charging and processing hard during…

TIL there's a name for this! (Chargie)

I have an old Mac multiport adapter (USB C / USB A / VGA) that I use only to limit the current going into my smartphone, for the sake of battery health. It effectively downgrades any fast charger to a slow charger. This looks nicer, thanks for sharing.

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