We all use equipment with lithium-ion batteries, cell phones, laptops, tablets, etc. And we have all experienced the battery charge in that equipment not lasting as long as it once did. Even if you don’t use the equipment for a few years and try to charge it, it won’t work.
A number of factors can accelerate battery degradation (see study from Battery University).
Battery Temperature |
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0°C 25°C 40°C 60°C |
2% loss in 1 year; 98% remaining 4% loss in 1 year; 96% remaining 15% loss in 1 year; 85% remaining 25% loss in 1 year 75%; remaining |
6% loss in 1 year; 94% remaining 20% loss in 1 year; 80% remaining 35% loss in 1 year; 65% remaining 40% loss in 3 months |
By not charging your battery fully, your run time might be a little less, but your battery will last longer. Heat is also a factor in battery degradation. Keep this in mind when recharging the batteries in your equipment.