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How to prolong lithium based batteries

batteryuniversity.com

51–60 of 115 posts

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#51
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…

The Chargie looks nice but ~6 of them for your devices gets pretty expensive.

I'm looking for some device like a 6-port Chargie... Or a 6-port charger like this Anker: https://www.anker.com/products/a2123?variant=37436925477014 that would allow you to control the charge status of each port via Zigbee / Wifi. Something like A/C smart plug functionality but for each USB port.

Anyone see that?

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#52
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Kind of, it's described here [1]. But that only applies if you have a "charging routine", e.g. you always charge overnight and use it on battery all day long starting at 9:15 am: "When the feature is enabled, your Mac will delay charging past 80% in certain situations. Your Mac learns your charging routine and aims to ensure that your Mac is fully charged when unplugged." But in my experience, the feature doesn't do…

Useful info, thanks. There’s really no reason for my MBP to be charged 100% - I rarely unplug it

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#53
post #49

I think all systems that allow for fast charging should, after plugging in, ask: "Do a slow charge instead?" and perhaps: "Only charge to 80%?". These could be two check boxes that are unchecked by default. Maybe you could change the default in the settings. Anyway, the way this is currently solved e.g. in Android is clearly suboptimal. You can only configure charging in the settings, but obviously it depends on your…

I actually have a couple of chargers that just do _exactly_ 5V/1A for this reason.

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#54
post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it's hard to define "the true 100%". It's always a matter of finding a tradeoff between capacity and lifespan – by defining a voltage range.

True 100% seems easy for LiPo; it's the point at which it spontaneously catches fire.

“Spontaneously” seems to imply that it’s not actually a deterministic point.

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#55
Note that in most battery chemistries, the degradation floors at around 80% whatever you do.

These advices are to get to that 80% slower. If you are fine with having 80% in like 2 years instead of 10 years, you don’t have to really limit yourself.

A better way will be manufactures to advertised 100% as current 80% and allows you to boost you to 120%.

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#56
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…

The Chargie looks nice but ~6 of them for your devices gets pretty expensive. I'm looking for some device like a 6-port Chargie... Or a 6-port charger like this Anker: https://www.anker.com/products/a2123?variant=37436925477014 that would allow you to control the charge status of each port via Zigbee / Wifi. Something like A/C smart plug functionality but for each USB port. Anyone see that?

Do you really need one for every device you own? Having it just for my phone is mostly fine. It is possible to configure a chargie to limit charge level based on current draw on non-phone devices, but complex, and usually not worth it in my opinion, I only use it for my iPhone.

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#57
Two unconventional things I do to improve my iPhone's battery health (which follow this article's findings): 1) Don't use a case - Otherwise, you are literally wrapping your phone in a rubber insulator 24/7, increasing its overall temperature. 2) Don't charge at night - Turn off your phone at night. Instead, charge it during the day when you're at your desk. This reduces the number of cycles over years (because your phone is continually draining/recharging all night even when you aren't using it)

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#58
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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,"…

I remember the first time I upgraded android phones and logging in triggered 100+ apps to start downloading. The phone got to hot to old, so I put it in the freezer. As a bonus the metal blocked enough of the wifi signal to meter the downloads. Not the best initial user experience!

Yeah, the Motorola Droid 4 was that way for me sometimes long after I began using it.

It wasn't clear what the combination of triggers was, but sometimes the Play Store would wake up and start updating everything that could be updated -- and do all of these updates in parallel.

Once or twice, it did this when I got in the car, plugged my phone in, and started driving -- sucking down what was (at the time) an enormous amount of [thankfully unmetered] cellular bandwidth and using enough power that the battery either would not charge, or would slowly discharge.

It'd get a pretty toasty.

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#59
post #37

The article mentioned heat. I park my ev in the sun in CA. Definitely hotter than 86 degrees. Does the car protect the battery somehow with cooling, or do I need to find shade asap.

My car will run the AC on the battery whenever it needs to, even if I'm away.

ill have to check: its a 2023 bolt euv

Re: How to prolong lithium based batteries

#60

Note that in most battery chemistries, the degradation floors at around 80% whatever you do. These advices are to get to that 80% slower. If you are fine with having 80% in like 2 years instead of 10 years, you don’t have to really limit yourself. A better way will be manufactures to advertised 100% as current 80% and allows you to boost you to 120%.

Check the article, it contains a graph where the capacity is reduced to 10%.
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