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Laptop batteries, the unanswered questions; Answered.

Your notebook battery will deteriorate over time whether you use it or not. Although the Li-Ion industry does not publicize this fact, your battery’s clock began ticking the moment it was assembled. The elements inside your battery slowly react with each other, eventually rendering the battery unable to supply the required power to your notebook. In addition, your battery is rated to last between 300 and 800 charge/recharge cycles. It will gradually lose charge capacity rather than abruptly fail to power your notebook.
The general consensus is that notebook batteries last one to three years. While you can slow the battery’s aging and loss of capacity, you cannot stop either decline. The temperature of the battery, combined with the amount of usage contributes significantly to your battery’s lifespan. You can ease the aging process with some care and maintenance.
Lower battery temperatures slow down the loss of charge while disconnected and aging process of the elements within your battery. Therefore it follows that higher temperatures shorten the life of your battery. Leaving your battery connected while on AC power causes the internal temperature of the battery to rise. Removing your battery and storing it in a cool, dry place will help to slow the aging process. Keeping your notebook in a hot environment is also detrimental to your battery.
The Lithium-Ion batteries used in notebooks are rated to handle between 300 and 800 charge/discharge cycles. Some of these cycles are used when you leave your battery connected to your notebook while on AC power. On AC power, the notebook will routinely “top-up” the battery when its charge reaches predetermined levels (i.e. 95%). Removing your battery and storing it in a cool, dry place will help to preserve some of these cycles.
Li-Ion batteries do not suffer from the memory-effect (requiring complete discharge before recharging to avoid loss of capacity) like older rechargeable batteries. Regular full discharge/recharge cycles result in an increased loss of capacity per cycle. A series of partial discharge cycles are better for Li-Ion batteries than a single full discharge.
* Calibrate your battery with a full discharge every 30 charges to help the battery’s fuel gauge remain accurate. Run the battery down to the automatic cut-off point of your notebook before recharging.
* Avoid repetitive and regular full discharges. Li-Ion batteries will lose less charge capacity when partially recharged. Recharging at a 10 to 20% charge level is recommended.
* Disconnect the battery and store it in a cool, dry place. The optimal charge level is 40% for prolonged storage. Storing the battery with a low charge will result in permanent damage or battery failure.
* If you store your battery in a refrigerator, use a sealed plastic bag to keep moisture out. Allow the battery to warm to room temperature before using or recharging it.
Pros:
* Preserves charge cycles.
* Keeps the battery temperature lower thus slowing the aging process.
Cons:
* Lose the battery as backup power during power outages and voltage drops.
* Unsaved work will be lost and data may be corrupted without backup power.
Pros:
* Battery serves as backup power during power outages and voltage drops.
* More convenient for take anywhere anytime use.
* Battery doesn’t require sufficient warming time, as it would after being stored in a cool place.
Cons:
* Loss of charge cycles.
* Batteries temperature is higher on AC power resulting in accelerated aging.
* Heat is your batteries worst enemy. Avoid keeping your battery in hot places such as your car during the daytime.
* A full discharge puts more strain on your battery than several partial discharges. You do not need to worry about battery memory with Li-Ion batteries. Get into the habit of recharging the battery when it reaches 10%-20%.
* Never discharge your battery to 0% – as this can render your battery useless.
* Calibrate your battery’s fuel gauge by doing a full discharge every 30 cycles. Run the battery to the cut-off point in your notebook to keep the battery’s fuel gauge accurate.
* If you will be on AC power for an extended period of time, you can prolong your battery’s lifespan by removing it and putting it into prolonged storage.
* Prolonged storage should be done with a 40% charge-level and in a cool, dry place. Some experts recommend you place the battery in your refrigerator. Use a sealed plastic bag to keep moisture out if you do this.
* Do not freeze your battery.
* Allow a stored battery to warm to room temperature completely before using or recharging it.
Please Note: The same can be said for any Lithium-Ion batteries, not just for laptops.