The Battery Doctor - How to keep your battery healthy
Break In New Batteries
New batteries come in an uncharged condition. To break in a new battery, we suggest charging and then
discharging the battery 2 to 4 times so they can reach their full, rated capacity. You can discharge most batteries
by unplugging the AC adapter and leaving them turned on until completely discharged. Some phones have a
desktop charger/conditioner which will speed up the process.
Charging Your Battery
Never charge your battery for more than 14 hours. If you are using a
Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMh) or Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery, your charging time should be less than 14 hours.
Manufacturers’ manuals normally state not to charge a battery for more than 24 hours, but if you leave it on the charger for more than 14 hours you risk damaging the battery by overcharging.
Eliminate Memory Effects
Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) batteries suffer from an affliction known as the memory effect. The battery will only charge to the level of
which the battery was last discharged due to an accumulation of gas bubbles on the cell plates. If a battery is
discharged to 30% and then recharged, the battery will only charge to 30% of
its capacity and thus shrinking the
battery’s "gas tank."
Burp Your Battery
The best way to eliminate memory and remove the accumulated gas bubbles on the cell plates is to "burp", or
condition it. This means draining the battery until your portable phone shuts off, and then recharging it. Again,
the desktop charger/conditioner will speed up this process
Exercise Your Battery
To increase the life of your batteries, don’t leave them dormant for extended periods of time. Even if you use AC
power most of the time, use the battery periodically to keep it fresh and healthy. Unplug your AC adapter when the
phone, computer, etc. is not in use.
Battery Storage
Store batteries in a cool, dry place away from heat and metal objects. Batteries left idle for extended periods of time
will self-discharge. Just remember to charge them before use.
Battery Replacement
If your battery used to last 8 hours and now only lasts 2 hours, it could be memory effort or just time for a new
battery. NiCad batteries last approximately 700 charge/discharge cycles, or about one and a half years on average.
However, NiMh batteries will normally last for only approximately 400 charge/discharge cycles.
Recycle Dead Batteries
Please be kind to the environment and not throw your batteries in the trash. The
environmental protection agency
(EPA) estimates that 200 tons of cadmium and 260,000 tonnes of lead enter the waste stream annually.
Please send
your old batteries to EarthVision for safe recycling (address to "Recycling Dept.)
or use one of these organizations:
Cellular Phone News
www.cellularphonenews.com
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