subject: Getting The Most Out of Your Cell Phone Battery [print this page] If you are going to be away from your phone for an extended period of time, like on an airplane or outside of cell coverage, turn your phone off or place it in Airplane Mode to save battery life.
What can I do to make my battery last longer?
There are several things that you can do to ensure the maximum production from your battery:
Never leave your battery in its charger for more than 24 hours. Doing so will shorten the life of your battery.
Break in your new batteries. The best way to do this is by fully charging and discharging your new battery several times in order to reach its maximum capacity.
Keep your batteries clean. Clean dirty batteries with a cotton swab and alcohol. A clean battery will ensure a good connection between your battery and its device.
Do not leave your battery dormant. Generally, a battery should be used every two to three weeks.
Initial Charge Cycle --
New cell phone battery must be trickle charged (slow charged) prior to their first use and for the first several uses. As all of our batteries are new, they are uncharged. All batteries require a "break-in" period, so don't be alarmed if your battery doesn't hold a full charge right away. A new battery may show false full charge as indicated on your phone or charger. Also the battery may not power up the phone because of low voltage. For the First Three Cycles, please make sure to charge the battery fully and drain it fully before recharging. This will properly condition the battery and will ensure that it will operate at its maximum capacity. This is recommended for all cellular phone batteries. You can discharge most portable phones by unplugging the AC adapter and leaving it turned on until completely discharged.
How to maximize the life of your cell phone battery --
There are several things you can do to maximize the useful life of your battery: Dirty battery contacts are the number one source of charging problems. Clean the battery contacts with alcohol and a cotton swab from time to time. Make sure no cotton is left on the contact points. Don't leave your rechargeable batteries dormant for extended periods. Take them for a "spin around the block" every so often. Even if you use AC power most of the time; use the battery periodically to keep it fresh and healthy. Unplug your AC adapter if you are not using your cell phone. Batteries that sit idle for extended periods of time without charging begin to lose their ability to hold a charge and will self-discharge, so remember to charge them again before use. Always store batteries in a cool, dry place away from heat and metal objects.
It seems like my battery isn't giving me as much power as it did in the past. Why?
Your battery is suffering from a battery phenomenon called "memory effect." Basically, this means that if a battery is repeatedly only partially discharged before recharging, the battery will "forget" that it can further discharge. The best way to prevent this situation is to fully charge and discharge your battery on a regular basis.
The term "memory" in reference to batteries means the battery "remembers" its usual discharge point and superficially "needs" a charge whenever it hits that point. In other words, if you have a NiCad that always gets discharged to only 50% of its capacity; it will eventually not run below that 50% mark if you ever wanted to discharge it to a lower point.
How long should my battery last?
Under normal conditions, the life of a rechargeable battery for cellphone is anywhere from 500 to 800 charge-discharge cycles (up to three years). A decrease in the battery's running time is the best indication that it is time for a new battery.
What is the best way for me to store my batteries?
Batteries should never be left in direct sunlight or in extreme temperatures (below 30 degrees Fahrenheit or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit). They should always be stored in a cool and dry place and should be fully charged before being stored for long periods of time.
My charger shows that my battery is fully charged, but it is not working why?
This is known as "false peak" and is very common condition during first time battery use (or using a battery that has been discharged for several months). The charger light may go out after only five or ten minutes, indicating that it is fully charged when it is not. Should this happen, simply leave the battery on the charger for about an hour. Remove it, and return it to the charger immediately. The battery will resume normal charging and the charger light will indicate when the batter is ready for use.
