I. Correct practices for lithium-ion batteries
An important point to note regarding the charging and discharging of lithium-ion batteries during use is:
1. When the machine displays a low battery warning, you should start charging it as soon as possible;
2. Charge according to the standard time and procedure, even for the first three times;
3. Lithium-ion batteries do not require any special activation method; they will activate naturally during normal use of the device. Insisting on using the commonly circulated method of charging for 12 hours three times to activate them will actually be ineffective.
Therefore, all practices that pursue 12-hour ultra-long charging times or use lithium-ion batteries until they automatically shut down are incorrect. If you have been following these incorrect practices, please correct them as soon as possible; it may not be too late.
II. How to charge a new battery
Regarding the activation of lithium-ion batteries, many people believe that charging time must exceed 12 hours, repeated three times, to activate the battery. This claim of charging for more than 12 hours for the first three times is clearly a continuation of the practice with nickel batteries (such as nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride). Therefore, this claim can be considered a misconception from the outset. Lithium-ion batteries and nickel batteries have very different charge-discharge characteristics, and I can assure you that all the serious, official technical documents I have consulted emphasize that overcharging and over-discharging can cause significant damage to lithium-ion batteries, especially liquid lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, it is best to charge according to standard times and methods, and especially avoid charging for more than 12 hours.
Lithium-ion battery processing and customization
It's important to note that lithium-ion batteries enter a dormant state after being stored for a period of time, at which point their capacity is lower than normal, and their usage time is shortened. However, lithium-ion batteries are easily activated; they can be activated and restored to normal capacity after just 35 normal charge-discharge cycles. Due to the inherent characteristics of lithium-ion batteries, they have virtually no memory effect. Therefore, users do not need special methods or equipment to activate new lithium-ion batteries. Not only is this true in theory, but based on my own experience, using the standard charging method from the beginning for natural activation is better.
Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries and chargers automatically stop charging once the battery is fully charged; there is no trickle charging for over 10 hours as claimed by nickel-cadmium chargers. In other words, leaving your lithium-ion battery on the charger after it's fully charged is pointless. And since no one can guarantee that the battery's charge/discharge protection circuitry will never change or that its quality will be flawless, your battery will be constantly teetering on the edge of danger. This is another reason why we oppose prolonged charging.
