Came across this forum thread from OCworkbench:

http://www.ocworkbench.com/ocwbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=000694;p=

Do you think this is worth a try? Or is it a joke/hoax?

Can't view the link but the best way to prolong life of a battery whether its LiOn or NiMh is to drain the battery once a week by keeping your phone open until it automatically shut off. Medyo matagal sa Nokia Phone kasi the phone has a battery saving feature.

I read otherwise for Lithium Ion batteries... In order to prolong its useable life, keep it fully charged as much as possible...

Here's a snippet from http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li-Ion:

---------------------------------

Guidelines to prolonging Li ion battery life

Unlike nickel based rechargeable batteries (NiCd and NiMH), Li ion batteries should be charged early and often. However, if they are not used for a longer time, they should be brought to a charge level of around 40%. Never use the ``battery care'' functions some cellular phones provide for nickel based batteries. (This will deep cycle the batteries.)

Li ion batteries should be kept cool. Ideally they are stored in a fridge. However, they should not freeze. Aging will take its toll much faster at high temperatures. Burning hot cars can kill lithium ion batteries.

Buy Li ion batteries only when needed. Look at the manufacturing date. That is when the ageing process commenced.

A specific note for notebook users: When running from fixed line power over extended periods, it is advisable to remove the battery and store it in a cool place. Remember how hot notebooks can get...

Being in the Telecoms industry since 1994 this is the first time I've heard that LiOn battery should be stored in the fridge in order to cool it down. Even Engineers from Nokia and Motorola never suggested such thing.....Hmmmmmm

Pero para sa akin I won't try it, kasi very expensive ang Lithium Ion battery kung masisira. The one I suggested below is proven already and battery would lasts for 2-3 years.

Originally posted by reekee98
... the best way to prolong life of a battery whether its LiOn or NiMh is to drain the battery once a week ...

Yes, this method works for me. I've been doing this since the advent of NiCd batteries while playing with RC cars. (NiCd's are still by far the most sensitive to memory effect).

Originally posted by Jonathan Bugayong
I read otherwise for Lithium Ion batteries... In order to prolong its useable life, keep it fully charged as much as possible...
...........

Yep, some aging rechargable batteries might go "dead" if not fully chraged ASAP or at least have enough juice on it. If not, it'll start to have "dead" cells on it. Before, my dad is used on draining his cell phone battery before he charges it that's why his batteries don't last more than a couple of months and always have a dead cell on it. I told him not to follow that method and he never had any problems with his battery again. I adviced my dad not to be dependent on car chargers since car chargers are fast/quick method of charging and it will shorten battery life, probably for emergency use only.

Here in Baguio, some cell phone shops do is to "jump start" a "dead" cell battery, they introduce a higher voltage .... say 9 to 12 volts 1-2 amps....... onto the battery leads, this really works 90% but ........ not guaranteed to work long enough...... it'll lasts only for a couple of hours depending on how old the battery is .... which satisfies a client for a few hours too. :D Some shops even do this and sell the battery as NEW or use it on for sale 2nd hand cell phones.

Originally posted by Jonathan Bugayong
..................Do you think this is worth a try? Or is it a joke/hoax?


It worked !!!

I searched for my old "dead" cell batteries and tried the experiment 11 days ago.

I've been using it for six days now and still working like new. Wow, cool. :) It lasts more than 3 days on my mobile phone, unlike before it only lasts less than a day.

But I think It's only applicable to Lithium Ion Cells, my three Lithium Ion batteries worked like new and my two Nickel Metahydrite cells didn't work.

We used to do the ref thing with our NiCd batteries for our R/Cs, and with the Lithium Ions, I used to disharge it until it dies before I charge it. But with the Lithium Polymers, the one that is being used by newer phones, the technician at Semicon recommended that I charge it even before it dies on its own. He said that it takes much longer to charge a fully drained battery and it will shorten the stand-by time than recharging at an earlier time.

I noticed this was the case with the old phone I had. I only charge it after it dies but it doesn't last longer than when I charge it with still some left in it.

Just my opinion based on my observation . . .