How to take care of L-Ion Batteries?

[OOZ662]

I remember the days of needing to deep cycle batteries to keep them fresh. It seems that isn't highly recommended for these, but I don't really understand what's good for them.
I have an iPhone, meaning I can't remove the battery and (due to cost) want to preserve it. The phone is always on right now, so should I be keeping it plugged in or shallow cycling it? If I ever run into the situation of keeping the phone but not the plan, is it best to shut it off and store it or keep it plugged in?

[batch]

They say regardless of how you care for them you can only expect 3 or so years out of one........ Ive had mine on 24/7 for bout 2 1/2 years now without any degradation... but that doesnt mean its not coming

I like to hook mine up about every third day and let it charge back up.......... and about once a month I let it completely go dead (they say this is needed to reset the "internal cycles")........

of course its all fairly pointless since I recently got a new phone and dont even use the old one anymore LOL

so in that regard they are designing them to last just about as long as needed...... since every 2-3 years youre going to get a new phone and the old one will be a relic anyhow

[Ghosth]

Very good question!

While I don't have a cell phone, I do have a E-book reader with a non replaceable battery.
3 years you think for probable life?

[batch]

theres no hard and fast rule for life expectancy........ just everything Ive read suggests the "average" life to be around 3 years......... of course some may last longer and some shorter

unlike other types of batteries that for lack of a better term "corrode" from the outside in...... li-ion batteries breakdown and "corrode" from the inside out..... while they have no charge memory like other types of batteries....... as they age they will become denser and have less room for a charge til eventually they wont charge at all

they still work extremely well compared to other types of batteries because they dont have a charge memory....... other than a suggested complete draw down and recharge periodically to reset the "timings" if you will

the fact that they have an average life of 3 years is not bad considering most devices they go in wont last that long or will be replaced by newer technology within that timeframe

[Ghosth]

Thanks for the advice.

[Fulmar]

Batch has covered it pretty well.  Your non-replaceable E-Book reader battery may actually be replaceable, but it may be soldered into the circuit board.  What make/model is it?

For an Iphone, depending on how much you use it, I wouldn't expect much more than a year.  Laptop batteries you can generally hold up better over time because they're not used daily like your Iphone, and the cylindrical li-ion cells generally hold up better the prismatic ones you find in cellphones and smaller electronics.

I really have a grudge against Apple products because a lot of what they design is not serviceable and if it is, it's tough.  The Iphone, Ipods, upgrading computer parts, etc.  Especially on something like an Iphone where pretty much every other phone or smartphone on the planet has an easily accessible battery.  It's really a crime as their aesthetics are more important than serviceability in hopes of you rather sending it into them for repair or wanting you to just buy a new phone/ipod/computer.

[OOZ662]

Well, I only got a tiny warranty (since I bought a refurbished one but ended up with a new one; long story), so I was planning on desoldering and replacing it myself anyway instead of paying more than the cost of a new phone for them to do it.

[Fulmar]

I've never taken apart any of the iphones so I can't comment on how hard it is to do.  I've done dozens of various ipod models over the years.  Depending on the version and generation, some have the battery wires soldered to the circuit board, and you'd need a very fine soldering tip to do it, or splice the wires.

[Ghosth]

Ectaco Jetbook, and no I haven't cracked the back cover yet.

However you are correct in that it may be a simple connection to change it. I guess at this point I'm going to leave it alone till it dies, or the charge won't last. (Currently does about 20 hours of use on a charge, which is quite good)

I believe its made by a Russian Company, which got its start doing dictionary's and phrase books.

[RTHolmes]

http://www.apple.com/batteries/

http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/service/faq/

[Charge]

Do not fully discharge a Li-Ion battery and do not store it fully loaded. So unfortunately Li-Ion batteries should be charged so that they do not go totally empty but at the same time they are not to be charged full if they are not going to be used for a while.

-C+

[Fulmar]

Ideal storage (generally 3+ months) conditions for Li-ion batteries is keeping it at 50-60% charge level.  But these devices appear to be used frequently so this doesn't really apply.

[Fulmar]

www.dantona.com

One of the secondary vendors for Batteries Plus.  They carry the battery for the Ectaco Jetbook so its available for order through Batteries Plus stores.  You cannot order directly from Dantona.  Their part number is a PRB-3 which according to the image shows a plug type battery.  From looking at the pics for the Ectaco Jetbook, it doesn't look too bad to take a part.  I think its very doable if the time ever arises.

[Ghosth]

Thanks for the info Fulmar, very much appreciated!  <S>

Looks like its just a matter of removing 4 little rubber pads, screws hidden underneath.
Connector on the batter should make it a snap.

[WpnX]

LiIon and LiPo batteries do not have a "memory" and therefore do not require cycling (discharging until nearly dead then recharging until full) - in fact, cycling is a practice that will degrade LiIon batteries. Cycling a battery is something recommended for Nickel Cadmium/NiCad or Nickel Metal Hydride/NiMH batteries which do have a "memory".
If you really want to optimize the life of a LiIon batt, then never fully charge it and never fully discharge it. Heat is another battery killer so keeping it at a cooler temp will prolong the life. Recommended storage conditions are 50-60% charged and stored in the refrigerator (not freezer). So if you leave your laptop plugged in to AC power, pull the batt when it is around 60% charged and put it in the fridge until needed.