Gps Nintendo Ds Lite

How to extend the life of Lithium Ion batteries?

I have multiple electronic devices with Lithium Ion batteries: iPod, GPS, Nintendo DS Lite, etc.

What is the best strategy to increase the life of my batteries (especially for the iPod, which is a pain to replace!)?

For example, should I:
- use the device until almost-completely empty, then recharge it full;
- keep it on the charge when not in use;
- recharge it once in a while, even if not empty;
- etc.

I’ve read in the DS Lite user’s guide that the battery has roughly a life of 500 recharges. Is there a way to increase this; or is there something that I should NOT do to avoid reducing this?

Thanks!

Lithium Ion batteries are very unlike any of their rechargeable predecessors.

NiCd need to be dischared fully and recharged for maximum usage; this was due to Memory Effect. If you leave them in a device fully charged, they will slowly discharge and loose their ability to recharge fully. This is true even if you leave them on a trickle charger. A year later they will be dead and not be able to store a charge. This is why so many in-home cordless phone batteries go dead after a year; they never get fully discharged (I have been using the original battery pack in a phone for 3 years now, and the pack shows no signs of weakening. I discharge it every few months by leaving the phone off the cradle).

NiMh batteries do NOT need to be fully discharged during use. They have no memory effect. But they DO have a higher self-discharge rate; that means that if you leave them in a device fully charged, they will have only a fraction of their charge a month or two months later. But you can then fully charge them when you need them.

Litium Ion batteries are very different, both in their self-discharge and recharge characteristics. You can take a fully-charged battery pack and put it on a shelf. Six months later it will still have a good 75% or more of the charge. But you should NEVER allow them to become fully discharged; as this may prevent them from being able to take a charge again. This is why most devices that use Litihium Ion batteries have sensors that detect when the battery pack is low and will shut down the equipment.

Lithium Ion batteries can ge charged quickly, but only in special chargers that can regulate the charge rate. As the battery approaches full charge, they begin to warm up. There is a sensor in the battery pack that detects this rise in heat and turns down the charge rate. That’s whay you never see Lithium Ion batteries sold loose; they need to be in a pack that can regulate the charge rate.

As one other writer answered, the best way to get maximum life is to keep and use the batteries at room temperature. Excess heat or cold will shorten their chargedischarge cycle capacity.

Mad Catz MOV024020 Car Adapter for Nintendo DS Lite $9.99 6-FT EXTENSION CABLE POWERS & RECHARGES NINTENDO DS LITE…

GTMax Metalic Hot Pink 2-Port USB Car Charger Adapter 2A $4.99 Use your car to charge any devices (digital cameras, PDAs, mobile phones, Tablet, USB accessories and more) that can rely on USB for power! This adapter plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter jack to become a powered USB port. Brand new GTMax charger. Input: 12v DC Output: 5.0V / 2000mA Short circuit protection. LED charging indication. 2 USB Port Plug never heats or overcharges the battery…

GTMax Green 2-Port USB Car Charger Adapter 2A for Cell Phone, Smartphone, iPhone and Blackberry $3.99 Use your car to charge any devices (digital cameras, PDAs, mobile phones, Tablet, USB accessories and more) that can rely on USB for power! This adapter plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter jack to become a powered USB port. Brand new GTMax charger. Input: 12v DC Output: 5.0V / 2000mA Short circuit protection. LED charging indication. 2 USB Port Plug never heats or overcharges the battery…

GTMax Metalic Blue 2-Port USB Car Charger Adapter 2A + Wrist Strap Lanyard $7.99 2-Port USB Car Charger Vehicle Power Adapter – Metalic Blue(2000mA) Brand new GTMax charger. Color:blue. Input: 12v DC. Output: 5.0V / 2000mA. Short circuit protection. LED charging indication. 2 USB Port. Plug never heats or overcharges the battery. Intelligent IC chip inside recognizes a full battery and automatically switch to a saver. You must have a USB charging cable (sold separately) in ord…

Solar Portable Charger (Black) $69.00 The Solar Universal Portable Charger Black – (2000mah/3.8v) Unit can be charged using solar energy, DC charger or USB port. Powered by internal Li-Ion battery, the unit offers 2 USB ports, LED lamp, Battery and charging status indicators. The unit comes in a case with DC charger and 12 different adaptor plugs and cables….

New Nintendo DSi / DS Lite EVA Carrying Hard Shell Case – MAGENTA $19.99 You won’t regret your purchase!!!…

Portable Emergency AA Battery Charge Extender for the Nintendo DS Lite / DSLite – uses Gomadic TipExchange Technology $19.95 Whether youre an international executive or an ultra marathoner; this lightweight power solution is the perfect embodiment of minimalist mobility; offering nomads the ability to truly break the chains that bind them to their workstations. Compatible with Gomadics revolutionary TipExchange Technology that enables utility with hundreds of mobile devices; the Cavalry Pack is a necessary component to …

Brand New KROO USA Universal Portable Hard Drive EVA Case for HDD, GPS, Cell Phone, MP3 Player (Up to 4.3) $6.55 Kroo 4.3″ Universal Hard Case – Black Features : - Eva series fit 4.3″ GPS, cell phone, MP3 player, etc. - Made of high-quality EVA wrapped with artificial leather - Soft velvet interior linings - Easy to place inside a bag or carry alone - Fashionable and excellent design - Mesh pocket and card slot inside - Slide zipper closure - Bumps and scratches protection - With carabine hook - Color: Blac…

Multi Travel Charger for Apple iPhone/iTouch/iPod/Video/Nano, Motorola Razr V3/slvr L7/l6 and Nintendo DS Lite, All-in-one Travel Charger By Ionhub Ionhub will help you eliminate clutter, travel light, and save energy. IonHub Universal Multi Charger: one input, six outputs— Travel with confidence and peace of mind: many chargers no more! Now you only need to bring one: IonHub multi charger. Isn’t that incredible? Compact and light-weight, IonHub’s powerful, little multi charger can charge 6 gadgets simultaneously with one single plug-in. Ch…

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars $10.59 Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is the highly anticipated first game in the GTA franchise designed for play on the Nintendo DS. But although it comes in a small package, this is a full-fledged game that stands on its own. With an all-new, deep story that approaches the familiar sights and sounds of the infamous Liberty City from a different perspective, an innovative control system and multiplaye…