BU-808: How to Prolong Lithium-based Batteries (2023)

(batteryuniversity.com)

25 points | by eswat 2 days ago ago

5 comments

  • user_7832 5 minutes ago

    +1 for battery university, they're an excellent source. Does anyone have any other suggestions for similarly technically deep (while approachable) articles on any other facet consumer electronics?

    My understanding from this article is that:

    1. Charge the battery to as low a max percentage as possible (till about 65%) 2. Keep it as cool as possible (up to zero degrees C at least) 3. Use it as little as possible before recharging it (minimize charge-discharge bandwidth)

    Aka, over-rate and over size the battery if you're building the device, and minimize extremes on any side of soc (state of charge).

    Do EV manufacturers use any other tricks not covered by this?

    (Of course, use the device as needed, these are just guidelines for the best perfomance.)

  • JamesTRexx an hour ago

    After the first battery of my Samsung S4 expanded at the end of its life in less than 2 years, I found a utility that didn't work perfectly but could limit charge anywhere between 30 to 100% most of the time, and it prolonged the lifetime of the couple of later batteries during the 10+ years I used the phone with a limit around 66%.

    I was glad to see my new Samsung XCover 7 has a built-in option to limit charge to 80%, although a flaky usb cable could sometimes overcharge to 100%. And also has a removable battery.

    • Mistletoe an hour ago

      You only charged your phone to 66% for ten years?

      • gattilorenz an hour ago

        Veeeeery slow charger :)

        But yeah, at some point we should also consider the tradeoff between convenience and battery life. Batteries can be replaced, having to charge twice a day is a PITA for me.

        • BLKNSLVR 21 minutes ago

          My charging solution is that I've purchased three (cheap and therefore slow) wireless charging docks that sit my phone slightly leaning backwards, therefore nicely viewable if necessary.

          One sits on my desk at work, one sits on my desk at home and the third sits on my bedside table (it acts like a clock radio / alarm clock). I just place it on the relevant charger while working / sleeping and it's always got enough charge when I need it.

          (I also use the surprisingly fairly recent addition of charging protection to limit it to 80% charge)

          I'm aware this won't work for all use cases, but it's great for mine.