Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - When is it cool to 'partially charge'?

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Bottomfeeder
11-05-07, 01:15 PM
Hey Guys;

So my light and battery/charger are performing great. But I'm wondering when, if ever, it is OK to charge the battery when it is only partially depleted? As most of you know, batteryspace.com's instructions say to completely charge, then completely discharge the battery four times in order to properly break it in. But following that, is it fine to 'top off' the battery after a short ride, of say, half the max run time?

Also: I would think that I should charge the battery sooner, rather than later, after it's been used - instead of leaving it sit around 'empty'. So how long can the battery be stored in a fully charged and ready state? A few days? A few weeks?

Thanks again for all your help. DanO

ovrrdrive
11-05-07, 01:20 PM
Ni-MH and Li-Ion yes, Ni-cad no. I'm guessing you have a Ni-Mh battery so you'll be fine once you get out of the recommended break in period. They don't have the "memory" issues that plague ni-cad batteries.
Bottomfeeder
11-05-07, 02:18 PM
Ni-MH and Li-Ion yes, Ni-cad no. I'm guessing you have a Ni-Mh battery so you'll be fine once you get out of the recommended break in period. They don't have the "memory" issues that plague ni-cad batteries.

Yes, you guessed correctly. I have a NiMH battery. And it will be great not to have to sweat the memory issue.

DanO

Chris_F
11-05-07, 05:29 PM
Yes, you guessed correctly. I have a NiMH battery. And it will be great not to have to sweat the memory issue.

DanO

No memory issue with NiMH. Instead they slowly leak. Charge up the battery and let it sit for a week or two and when you come back it'll be mostly dead. Not a big deal as long as you plan for it. Lithium has neither problem (memory or leak).