One misconception about using lithium batteries is that using them less will extend their lifespan to some extent.
This is incorrect because it ignores the inherent aging nature of lithium batteries. Lithium-ion batteries begin to lose capacity continuously after leaving the factory. Even without cycling, some of their capacity will be permanently lost; this phenomenon is known as the battery's "aging effect." Like the "memory effect" of nickel-metal hydride batteries, it causes a reduction in battery capacity.
Lithium-ion batteries rarely exhibit the memory effect of nickel-cadmium batteries. Overcharging and over-discharging will cause permanent damage to the positive and negative electrodes of lithium-ion batteries. This leads to the following two misconceptions:
Myth #2: Lithium batteries must be completely depleted before they can be recharged.
This is incorrect. It's best to charge the battery when it's between 20% and 40% charged. Lithium-ion batteries typically have charge and discharge control circuits. For lithium batteries, partial discharge is preferable to complete discharge. Actual testing shows that if the battery is discharged below 2.5 volts per cell, although the internal safety circuit will activate, the battery will become less usable. Ultimately, this will only shorten the battery's lifespan.
Myth 3: The first three charges should take 12-14 hours to fully charge.
This is a sign of overcharging. Some people believe that deep charging and discharging can stimulate battery activity and increase the actual capacity of lithium-ion batteries. However, experts say this is merely an interesting misconception stemming from a lack of understanding of lithium battery mechanisms. Deep charging and discharging only cause permanent damage to both the positive and negative terminals of the lithium-ion battery.
Sometimes, the battery level display on a new battery is incorrect; for example, it might show 96% even when fully charged. After several full charge-discharge cycles, it will gradually reach 99%-100%. This is because the battery's internal detection circuit hasn't collected enough data to correct the value in the register. The battery's actual charge level is determined by its chemical properties, and the displayed value is only a reference. The idea of "activating" a new battery by performing three full charge-discharge cycles before use is, in the eyes of experts, a misconception.
In conclusion, lithium batteries simply need to be charged normally. Moreover, modern lithium battery chargers are equipped with indicator lights; the light will change from red to green when charging is complete.
If your battery is already activated, there is absolutely no need to fully discharge it before recharging.
Many lithium batteries are already activated at the factory. This is because many consumers are unfamiliar with lithium batteries and treat them like nickel-metal hydride batteries, which shortens their lifespan. Therefore, many batteries are already activated at the factory.
Lithium batteries are activated by 3-5 normal charge-discharge cycles.
Some common misconceptions about using lithium batteries in digital cameras
One misconception about using lithium batteries is that using them less will extend their lifespan to some extent.
This is incorrect because it ignores the inherent aging nature of lithium batteries. Lithium-ion batteries begin to lose capacity continuously after leaving the factory. Even without cycling, some of their capacity will be permanently lost; this phenomenon is known as the battery's "aging effect." Like the "memory effect" of nickel-metal hydride batteries, it causes a reduction in battery capacity.
Lithium-ion batteries rarely exhibit the memory effect of nickel-cadmium batteries. Overcharging and over-discharging will cause permanent damage to the positive and negative electrodes of lithium-ion batteries. This leads to the following two misconceptions:
Myth #2: Lithium batteries must be completely depleted before they can be recharged.
This is incorrect. It's best to charge the battery when it's between 20% and 40% charged. Lithium-ion batteries typically have charge and discharge control circuits. For lithium batteries, partial discharge is preferable to complete discharge. Actual testing shows that if the battery is discharged below 2.5 volts per cell, although the internal safety circuit will activate, the battery will become less usable. Ultimately, this will only shorten the battery's lifespan.
Myth 3: The first three charges should take 12-14 hours to fully charge.
This is a sign of overcharging. Some people believe that deep charging and discharging can stimulate battery activity and increase the actual capacity of lithium-ion batteries. However, experts say this is merely an interesting misconception stemming from a lack of understanding of lithium battery mechanisms. Deep charging and discharging only cause permanent damage to both the positive and negative terminals of the lithium-ion battery.
Sometimes, the battery level display on a new battery is incorrect; for example, it might show 96% even when fully charged. After several full charge-discharge cycles, it will gradually reach 99%-100%. This is because the battery's internal detection circuit hasn't collected enough data to correct the value in the register. The battery's actual charge level is determined by its chemical properties, and the displayed value is only a reference. The idea of "activating" a new battery by performing three full charge-discharge cycles before use is, in the eyes of experts, a misconception.
In conclusion, lithium batteries simply need to be charged normally. Moreover, modern lithium battery chargers are equipped with indicator lights; the light will change from red to green when charging is complete.
If your battery is already activated, there is absolutely no need to fully discharge it before recharging.
Many lithium batteries are already activated at the factory. This is because many consumers are unfamiliar with lithium batteries and treat them like nickel-metal hydride batteries, which shortens their lifespan. Therefore, many batteries are already activated at the factory.
Lithium batteries are activated by 3-5 normal charge-discharge cycles.
