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Tips to extend the life of lithium-ion batteries

May. 05, 2022
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Tips to extend the life of lithium-ion batteries

All new Plantronics headset models are equipped with a lithium-ion battery. To ensure the battery life of your device, keep the following battery care tips in mind.

Keep the battery at room temperature. When a battery is subjected to high temperatures (for example, in a hot car), it loses its ability to store energy.

If your device containing a lithium battery is stored for an extended period of time, discharge it to approximately 40% to 50% charge. If the battery is fully charged, the lithium ions will oxidize at the highest rate, resulting in faster deterioration.

Stop fully discharging or discharging for long periods of time as the battery loses its ability to be fully charged.

Tips for Keeping Lithium-Ion Batteries Healthy

Today's lithium-ion batteries are strong, but they can't handle that much heat. For example, if you are charging the battery and it starts to get too hot, perhaps because the CPU or graphics processor is working hard or the weather is too hot, then turn off the device and remove the battery if possible. Give it a rest so it can cool down, or you can switch to somewhere at lower temperatures. For example, most modern laptops have sealed batteries, in which case it is highly recommended to turn off the machine and let it cool down if your goal is to optimize battery life.

The following are some tips for keeping lithium-ion batteries healthy.

Your battery and software

It is important to upgrade your device's software so that it can keep telling you how long your battery will last. Companies are working to improve the way software updates allow programs to use power. In future updates, the same operating system can use less battery power, thus allowing the device to last longer without any changes. So, check your operating system and keep updating your system and its energy on a healthy diet.

Your battery and temperature

It is most important not to use your device in places where it may get hot. This includes your car on a hot summer day, under a window in direct sunlight or near a space heater. Unusual conditions like these can cause a lot of damage to your battery in a short period of time, although you may not know this right away.

Low temperatures are usually not a problem to some degree, and it is recommended to store the battery in a cool place, but not to put the device in the freezing point. In addition, being too extreme can permanently damage the battery or shorten its life. Therefore, keep the battery at optimal temperature or room temperature.

Keeping the battery in the area

You don't have to repeatedly completely drain your Li-Ion battery and then refill it to reset or calibrate it, somehow this is a wasteful process that is very difficult on your battery. It is still an open question whether it is a good idea to do a complete discharge a few times a year. In general, the consensus seems to be to let the battery discharge (without bottoming out, aiming for about 20%) and then charge it for best practice whenever possible.

Tips for Buying a Quality Lithium-Ion Battery

The following are tips for buying a quality lithium ion battery.

1 - Measure the size of battery you need.

This is simple. If your device runs on AAA batteries, you will need it. For instructions on the required battery size, you can check the device itself, or consult the instruction manual.

To choose the right size for your phone, you don't need to know much about batteries. Finding it is as easy as looking at the batteries already in the system and replacing them with the same size (i.e., if there is a AAA battery there, that's the size you need to buy). If you don't already have a battery installed, check the instructions on the unit or look at the instruction manual.

2 - Decide between disposable or rechargeable batteries.

Disposable batteries are positively cheaper and have a long shelf life, but rechargeable batteries can be used over and over again, ultimately making them a more cost effective option.

Disposable batteries.

Simply dispose of them when they run out of juice (look for a battery recycling option near you). Alkaline and lithium batteries are the two main types of disposable batteries.

Advantages.

Initially cheaper than rechargeable batteries.

Very low self-discharge rate and long shelf life (power loss when not in use).

Plenty of availability.

Disadvantages.

Requires disposal when fully discharged.

Rechargeable Batteries.

These batteries are designed to be recharged time and time again, in some cases up to 500 or more times. Nickel metal hydride and lithium ion are the two main types of rechargeable batteries.

Advantages.

They produce less waste than disposable batteries because they are rechargeable.

These offer better long-term quality than disposable batteries (the cheaper these batteries are, the more you use them).

Disadvantages.

The upfront cost is more expensive than disposable batteries

3 - Get the right type of battery.

Understanding how batteries work and knowing the differences between alkaline and lithium and lithium ion batteries can help you choose the best battery for your application.

Once you have agreed on a battery size and made a decision between disposable and rechargeable, you may find it helpful to learn more about the various types of batteries. With a basic understanding of how batteries work and what's inside them, you'll be able to make a more informed decision about the type of battery for your needs.