| A cell phone without power is worth nothing, | | | | when it comes to charging. Lithium-ion batteries |
| that's why it's important to ensure that your | | | | do not have the same memory effect. However, |
| battery lasts for as long as your phone is | | | | many devices that use lithium batteries have a |
| connected to service. Of course, there are cell | | | | meter that shows the user how much power has |
| phone batteries available for almost any model, | | | | been left. Lithium-ions oxidize in the battery, thus |
| however I am sure anyone out there would | | | | shortening its life. After a certain period of time, |
| rather choose to have their original batter to last, | | | | the battery exhibits slightly different electronic |
| than need to go searching for a replacement | | | | properties, which the device can only detect when |
| battery. | | | | the battery is completely discharged. This type of |
| So lets discuss today what steps need to be | | | | problem is known as a virtual memory effect and |
| done in order to get the most out of your original | | | | it's "symptoms" are when you notice your |
| battery and get it to last as long as you have | | | | battery meter shows a high charge, then |
| your cell phone in use. | | | | suddenly drops to low charge when the battery is |
| Let the Battery Fully Charge Before it's First Use. | | | | almost dead. To prevent this from occurring, |
| This step is probably the most known, however | | | | every thirty charging cycles, you should discharge |
| due to it being very important we will put it first. | | | | lithium ion batteries until the phone gives a low |
| New batteries should be fully charged before their | | | | battery warning, then fully recharge it. (DO NOT |
| first use to get maximum capacity. If your cell | | | | fully discharge a lithium-ion battery! Lithium-ion |
| phone has Nickel based batteries you should initially | | | | batteries' life is shortened every time you fully |
| charge them for 16 hours and then run through 2 | | | | discharge them. Instead, charge them when the |
| to 4 full charge-full discharge cycles. With Lithium | | | | battery meter shows one bar left.) This battery |
| Batteries, get them charged for about 5-6 hours. | | | | reconditioning ensures that the battery meter on |
| Make sure ignore the phone telling you that the | | | | your lithium ion cellphone stays accurate. The |
| battery is full, as this is not accurate before the | | | | virtual memory effect however does not affect |
| battery has undergone the initial charge. | | | | the battery capacity as in the nickel based |
| Always Charge Your Phone Correctly. | | | | batteries. |
| Most new cell phones have lithium-ion batteries, | | | | Batteries Should Be Kept Cool at All Times. |
| while the older ones usually have nickel based | | | | Batteries last longest if they are used near room |
| batteries. (Read the label on the back of the | | | | temperature. Avoid leaving your phone in a hot |
| battery or in the technical specifications of your | | | | car or in direct sunlight, and don't carry your |
| owner's manual to determine your battery type) | | | | phone in your pocket, where your body heat will |
| Nickel-based batteries (NiCd and NiMH) have a | | | | raise its temperature, instead get yourself a cell |
| phenomenon known as "memory effect." This | | | | phone holster. Also make sure to check the |
| means that if you charge the battery only | | | | battery while it's charging, see if it feels hot. If it |
| partially, eventually the battery forgets that it can | | | | seems excessively hot, your charger may be |
| have a full charge. For cell-phones with nickel | | | | malfunctioning. Remember, that nothing wears on |
| batteries make sure to discharge them | | | | a battery like extended exposure to high |
| completely once every two to three weeks, this | | | | temperatures. |
| will prolong the battery life. (If you feel that your | | | | Keep Your Battery Clean. |
| nickel-based battery is "suffering" from the | | | | Make sure to clean the metal contacts on the |
| "memory effect", it can be reconditioned. In order | | | | battery and on the phone. Over time, contacts |
| to recondition the battery completely discharge it, | | | | accumulate dirt. The best way to clean them is |
| then completely recharged (several times). This | | | | by using a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol. This |
| will help the battery regain it's duration. | | | | will maximize the efficiency of energy transfer. |
| Lithium-ion batteries are completely different | | | | |