Nowadays, lithium batteries are found in a lot of devices, such as digital cameras, laptops, mobile phones, and a lot of other electronic devices. If you want to maintain your battery pack and extend its life, we suggest that you follow the tips given below. These tips will also protect your smartphone and other devices from damage. Read on.
Charge your batteries first
Once you buy a battery pack, make sure you charge it for 12 hours before putting it in your device. As a matter of fact, all manufacturers recommend charging these batteries for at least 12 hours before first use.
Actually, if you have a lithium-ion battery, this approach is very important. Unlike the regular Ni-MH Ni-CD batteries, lithium-ion batteries are pre-activated. Since they have a low self-discharge rate, make sure you charge your batteries first.
As soon as the charger gives you the indicator, you can remove the batteries and put them in your device. Here, it's also important to note that these batteries need to go through at least 3 cycles before reaching their full capacity.
Use the right charger
All of us take good care of our electronic gadgets but we tend to ignore the outcomes of using the wrong charger. When you buy a charger, make sure you opt for the original charger. If you can't get the original one, we suggest that you choose a high-quality charger with overcharge protection. Buying a low-quality unit is not a good idea as it may result in a shorter run time, battery failure, or fire/explosion.
Don't overcharge
Typically, low-quality chargers end up overcharging the battery. What happens is that the substance inside the battery heats up, which may reduce the lifespan of the battery. Therefore, it's better that you fully charge your battery. In some cases, overcharging may cause the battery to explode.
Don't touch the metal contacts
For the highest performance, make sure you clean the battery contacts on a regular basis. When you carry the batteries with you, you might want to prevent the contacts from touching metal stuff like your car keys. This is important if you don't want to face a short circuit. If this happens, you may end up damaging your battery. In a worse scenario, fire or explosion can also occur.
Don't use the battery in extreme temperatures
Usually, lithium-ion batteries can work well only if the temperatures are in a certain range. If used in extreme temperatures for a long time, the backup time and useful cycles will decrease.
Don't store your battery without charging
If you leave your battery without charging for more than 3 months, you may cause damage to it. Ideally, in this situation, make sure you partially charge your battery pack before putting it in your drawer for a few months. Ideally, it should be charged at least 30% of capacity.
Long story short, if you are going to buy a lithium-ion battery pack, make sure you follow these tips. By following these tips, you can extend the lifespan of your battery.