Post by ScottPost by alan_mPost by ScottOn Sun, 17 Nov 2024 16:35:20 -0000 (UTC), Tweed
Post by TweedPost by ScottMy new iPad Mini has an option to stop charging the battery when it
reaches 80%. Is this a good idea? I thought battery life was
determined by the number of charge cycles. If it is only an 80%
charge, it will need to be charged more often. I also thought the
software optimised charging to prevent over-charging.
https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/623358/wouldnt-charging-a-lithium-battery-to-80-only-defeat-the-purpose-of-putting-th
Put simply, fully discharging or fully charging a lithium ion battery is
detrimental to its lifespan. When you see 0% it isnt really empty. Some
charge is always left by the battery management circuit. Likewise, choosing
to charge to 80% is better for lifespan but at the detriment of run time.
If you know you are going to need a longer run time it doesnt really hurt
to charge to 100% one in a while. In fact Apple state your iPad will do
this automatically from time to time, even if you have it set to 80%.
Battery chemistry and use is a complicated subject.
Thank you. This certainly persuades me to accept Apple's offer to
restrict the charge to 80%.
My Samsung phone comes with the option to only charge to 80% to prolong
the life of the battery.
My Huawei laptop comes with some software to do the same and for the
same given reason. On the laptop this only works as long as the laptop
is operational or in sleep mode. If the laptop is fully shut down the
software cannot run and if the charging lead is left in the laptop
battery will charge to 100%.
Tips for power saving
https://bouncepad.com/blogs/resources/maximize-ipad-battery
My Pixel comes with a mysterious function called 'battery
optimisation' but it is unclear what it does. I just turned it on
anyway.
Probably similar to the iPhone. My iPhone will charge more slowly if
plugged in overnight, to reach full charge when I get up. Slower charge
rates are always better for battery life. You can disable this if it
doesn’t suit your lifestyle, eg you are on call and might get dragged out
of bed in the middle of the night needing a fully charged phone.
There is lots of information here:
https://batteryuniversity.com/articles
I’m working my way through the book they sell. I liked this from the
introduction:
“The battery is a feeble vessel that is slow to fill, holds limited energy,
runs for a time like a wind up toy, fades and eventually becomes a
nuisance. It exhibits human like qualities in that it needs recuperation
from the daily travails by applying a long and restful charge. It then
delvers for a time and quits on its own terms. Some batteries need as much
charging time as they deliver, and there is a resemblance to growing
teenagers.”