Phone chargers???Is it better to keep your cell phone on charger all the time, or to let it run down?

Question

If you let it run down all the time is that ok or just needs to be left run down all the way the first few times you use it??
Is it ok to recharge it everynight even if it doesn't need it??? PLEASE HELP ,,I've heard too many ways to do it right,,Do you KNOW???

Answer 1

The very first thing you need to determine is which type of battery your phone uses. Different battery chemistries require different handling and that is probably why you hear such differing advice.

Ni-cad batteries - used mostly in older phones had a bad reputation for losing capacity if charged often without fully discharging. That is why you hear a lot of advice about fully discharging a Ni-cad battery before charging it.

Ni-mH batteries were developed to increase battery capacity without an increase in size. They also were able to eliminate the hazardous chemical cadmium in the batteries. Ni-mH batteries do not have that loss of capacity problem that Ni-cads have and can be charged anytime BUT each time it is charged reduces its life span by one charge/discharge cycle so it is better to discharge them fully each time you use them to get the maximum life out of them.

Li-ion batteries are the latest technology currently in use. Li-ion batteries have much greater capacity at a lighter weight and smaller form factor. However Li-ion batteries are finicky and have a shorter overall lifespan. Li-ion batteries do no do well if they are always discharged fully. In fact, it is possible to ruin a battery if it is discharged too far. Also, no matter how carefully you treat a Li-ion battery the useful lifespan seems to be approximately two to three years after date of manufacture.

Since it is most likely you have a phone with a Li-ion battery I have included a link about that type of battery ...

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

Answer 2

I was told to either let the battery run completely out or turn it off at least once every couple of weeks. It's ok to charge it any time you want. But I did read that when you are not using the charger to charge your phone you should unplug it from the wall. It still uses the same energy whether you are charging your phone or not. I'm sure it can't be THAT much but with the cost of electricity in Southern California...every little bit helps.

Answer 3

Batteries learn just like we do...so if you want to make the most of your battery, let it run completely out...then charge it. When it's charged, let it run completely out again and then recharge.

I've found it's best to just buy another battery for whatever piece of equipment I'm using and rotate the two...you can do this too with your phone.

I have also learned that if you're constantly charging your battery to keep it at full...it will not keep the necessary charge as long without that external power source. So - final statement - Battery life is a learned experience...

Answer 4

LET IT RUN DOWN! You can charge it every night but don't keep it on the charger constantly! I had a customer burn her battery out because it stayed on the charger for 90 days in a row!

Answer 5

I was told to let it run down completely, then recharge it. I was also told to turn it off at some point during the day, like when you take a shower. Turn it off and turn it back on when you are done.

Answer 6

I don't usually carry a cell phone but on the rare occasions when I do, I have it on vibrate and keep it in my pants pocket.

Answer 7

Let it run completely down every now and then,it'll save your battery.

Answer 8

Charge it when your not using it.
its way better for it to be charged then when your out late at night, and u forgot to charge it, so now its dieing on you

Answer 9

just when you first use it. Then you can charge anytime you want, once it's fully charged it won't hurt it if it's still plugged in

Answer 10

Only charge your phone when it needs charging, other wise it gives it a crap batterylife.