New charging algorithm could double life of li-ion batteries

[Freddie159]

So are you saying that the effect I am referring to is already happening, but it is just not transparent to the user?

No I think they are saying that we the consumer want to see 100% when we are done charging not 85% so they fudge the numbers to placate us.

 

[liljom]

I have long wondered why EV cars like Tesla, to promote long battery life, have that built-in protection where you don't over charge (mostly you only charge to around 80 percent or so, if I recall) or under charge your battery, yet cell phones happily let you charge to 100 percent, or down to 0%.

The protection is user controlled in the Tesla, not forced by the manufacturer. It's also available in most modern laptops, and I know that Samsung tablets and phones have it.
On the other hand, it's up to the manufacturer to define what battery voltage is 0% and 100%. Different battery chemistries tolerate different voltages. And the manufacturer decides how "healthy" voltages they set.

 

[mountains]

The protection is user controlled in the Tesla, not forced by the manufacturer. It's also available in most modern laptops, and I know that Samsung tablets and phones have it.
On the other hand, it's up to the manufacturer to define what battery voltage is 0% and 100%. Different battery chemistries tolerate different voltages. And the manufacturer decides how "healthy" voltages they set.

Thanks!

What is it called in Samsung phones? Where is it?

 

[Hotlynx16]

I have a Toshiba laptop from 2015, Didn't use it much except to upgrade the memory (16Gb), hard drive to 1TB SSD and Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. Only charged it once every month or so and after 9 years the Lithium-ion battery is still good! Just bought a new battery for a back up! I guess I was using the best algorithm!

 

[Theinsanegamer]

I have long wondered why EV cars like Tesla, to promote long battery life, have that built-in protection where you don't over charge (mostly you only charge to around 80 percent or so, if I recall) or under charge your battery, yet cell phones happily let you charge to 100 percent, or down to 0%.

I appreciate the idea behind this research (new ways to look at recharging). I wonder how willing device makers will be to implement tech that makes their devices last longer.

They DO have built in protection. 0% is not 0% on an EV car. They dont do the 100% because, have you SEEN how pathetic the range is on some EVs? they need every mile they can get.

If you are referring to SoC limitations, most good EVs allow you to set limits IIRC. Teslas have an option to do this.

 

[ibnMuhammad]

Sounds promising, especially if it can extend current tech. Getting 8-9 years out of a phone battery instead of 4-5 sounds great.

I think most phone manufacturers would *hate* this advancement, particularly Apple.

I can't think of Apple/Samsung phones ever implementing this charging tech as it means people won't buy their shiny new toys as often enough.

Or they need to come up with a new method of planned obsolescence.

 

[captaincranky]

Pulse charging isn't a new concept, just one that has been adapted and/or modified from the Ni-cad era.

Ni-cads had the quirk that if you let them go dead, they would short out. Plus if you didn't drain them far enough down, they would develop a memory of that state of charge. So, you might only get 300 mah out of a 500 millamp cell by not discharging it sufficiently between charges. A fine line indeed..

Pulse chargers were developed than would burn through the shorts, and in many cases, increased the cell's capacity beyond the labeled rating.

 

[Endymio]

I think most phone manufacturers would *hate* this advancement, particularly Apple...I can't think of Apple/Samsung phones ever implementing this charging tech as it means people won't buy their shiny new toys as often enough.

And yet, banal conspiracy theories aside, these manufacturers regularly adopt the newest technologies at lightning pace. Why? If they don't, their competitors will, and they will fall by the wayside.

 

[rafeh1]

Normally is dismiss these battery related articles because nothing ever comes of it but this is different.
As opposed to developing a new complex and expensive battery it tries to solve the degradation problem from the charger side. And if it works out then getting a new charger is all that's needed.

Great invention

 

[Vanderlinde]

So are you saying that the effect I am referring to is already happening, but it is just not transparent to the user?

Yes.

I can design a 3600Mah battery - but on spec provide it with only 3200Mah. I use the 400Mah pretty much for Provisioning or making the lifetime of the battery "longer"

A normal battery should be able to withstand 300 to 500 charging cycles. They do the same with car battery's really. The capacity in the bank vs whats reported on software is different.

I have bin consistent charging my battery for months to only 70% - the tradeoff is that the expected battery life is consistent 100%.

 

[liljom]

Thanks!

What is it called in Samsung phones? Where is it?

Battery protection

 

[mountains]

Battery protection

Thanks, liljom! OK, found it. It was not that easy to find! I had to search "Battery Protection", and I had to spell the whole two words out in Search for it to show up!

On my Samsung device it's:

Settings > Battery and Device Care > tap on the Battery info thing that doesn't look like a button > More battery settings > Protect battery

It says, "To extend the life of your battery, limit the maximum charge to 85%". I'm gonna try it out since I usually charge at night and rarely really need a full charge. I will try to remember to change it back if I think I will need it.

There are also options there for Fast Charging. I will turn off Super fast charging for now, too.