Bison Bud

Back in my days of RC cars and trucks with the kids, Ni-Cad batteries were the primary rechargeable type and it was common practice to completely discharge them before re-charging to prevent what was called "Battery Memory." Apparently, Ni-cads would learn to only discharge to a certain point, thereby reducing capacity, if they weren't totally discharged. However, battery technology has come and long way since then and now Li-Ion or Li-Pro batteries are the primary rechargeables used in most everything. However, I have not heard one way or the other if it is beneficial or possibly even detrimental to these batteries to fully discharge before recharging them. I'll do some internet research after this posting, but thought I'd put it out there for any comments anyway. Good luck and good shooting to all.

Bison Bud

Interesting enough, I've found out that fully discharging Lithium batteries is indeed harmful to them and that it's best to recharge before they reach 30% discharged. It is also important not to overcharge them and topping them off to 100% can also be harmful if it causes them to heat up in the process (especially if left on the charger overnight, etc). Heat is very damaging and using your device with the charger plugged in can cause excessive heat as well and should also be avoided. Since most devices now (especially phones, tablets, etc.) do not allow for user swappable batteries these maintenance techniques can really help with the longevity of your devices. Again, good luck and good shooting to all.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BebuLamar

I read the same.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

First, do not discharge a Li ion battery completely (or let it slowly discharge over a long period of non use) or you may not be able to recharge it at all. There is protective circuitry to prevent charging a Li Ion battery if the voltage falls below a certain point for safety reasons. A complete discharged Li ion battery could draw excessive current which is a fire hazard (ask me how I know?). By the same token, over charged Li ions can catch fire. Many Li ion batteries have an internal thermistor to “alert” the charger of overheating, and dedicated Li ion chargers typically have internal circuitry to monitor voltage and current and prevent over charging as well.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Folks please share your data source when making inferences.
Make random statements without citing a Valid Source to corroborate your inferences is rather inappropriate.
This is serious stuff... Life and property can be in harms way if the vendors instructions are ignored!

Below is from Paul C. Buff on their Lithium Battery for the Vagabond Mini (which I so totally LOVE!)

Source: https://paulcbuff.com/manuals/Vagabonds/vmini.pdf
However since some UHH members seem not to want to RTFM here is the appropriate verbiage on the aforementioned.

"When storing your Vagabond Mini™ Lithium, verify that it contains more than 25%
charge. If the charge status is lower than 25%, apply a partial charge, turn the system
OFF, disconnect the battery charger, disconnect the battery and store in a safe, cool, dry
place away from flammable materials.

While the battery can be stored safely in any
state of charge, it should be used and partially recharged every three months for
best battery life, and to avoid ruining the battery’s components. Do not charge
the battery to 100%, and then store it. Also, storing the battery for periods over
a few days when it is nearly discharged may result in a dangerous degradation
of the battery’s internal components, possibly causing overheating and creating
a fire hazard when the battery is then charged again. Do not store a battery in a
hot environment, such as an attic, or in a cold environment below freezing..."

Important Note: If you are shipping your camera (with battery) please be certain to provide the standard Lithium Battery Hazard Warning Sticker on the outside of the box.

Shipping should be by Ground Only.
Lithium Batteries have to be maintain within a sealed container. The issue is cargo holds on aircraft often are not fully pressurized and the pressure differential can case the Lithium Battery containment to rupture... Not good...

"Spare (uninstalled) lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are prohibited in checked baggage. They must be carried with the passenger in carry-on baggage."

btw, if you are interested...
https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/lithium-batteries-baggage?newsId=23054

Thank you for your diligence here...
Cheers!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Not ALL of us remember where or from what source we may have read something MONTHS or YEARS ago.

I sure as hell am not going to make notes of where I read what............

I'm not publishing a white paper.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The exact battery chemistry in use will require specific charging/discharging rates and patterns. NiCads indeed worked better if deeply discharged before a recharge. They had pronounced "memory effect." NiMH and Lithium formulations generally work best when used within a 20% to 80% charge range. Devices usually have temperature sensors and charge monitor chips built into them to ensure that power cuts off before too deep a discharge occurs, and that charging power is slowly ramped down as the battery reaches 80% charge.

My iPhone and my Prius do this. I'm pretty sure my camera does it, too.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

"... the best practice is to maintain a mid-level charge (20-80%) whenever possible. Draining LIBs and/or keeping them at a full charge for long periods of time shortens the usable battery lifespan and can cause smartphone performance issues. “ University of Tulsa Engineering Department.
https://engineering.utulsa.edu/lithium-ion-battery-smarts-aurigemma/

For my iPhone, I charge by putting my phone on a charging pad and charging with a timer on the 110 V outlet. When low one hour time set keeps the battery in that mid range. BN-LINK Indoor Countdown Timer $12 from Amazon

ELNikkor

Whoops! I've been treating Li-Ions like Ni-Cads!, Thanks for the posts, I need to adopt some new habits for the new technology...

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I don't trust my memory enough to provide accurate, factual and complete information these days. I fall back to providing sources. Especially when it comes to something that is potentially hazardous. It's so easy to post a link these days. I will often look for an article just to re-read it and get it right.

Canisdirus

I read somewhere it is best to never drain them completely, not charge them all the way.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

My camera battery charger seems to quit charging when battery is full and has a light that signals it is done.
It never gets hot so I am guessing the shutoff works.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

NO, it makes no difference. None at all.

Canisdirus

Lithium batteries are under the most strain when they're fully charged or completely empty. The real sweet spot for a battery is 50 per cent charge as that means that half of its moveable lithium ions are in the lithium cobalt oxide layer and the other half are in the graphite layer. This equilibrium puts the least amount of strain on the battery, and extends the number of charge cycles it can withstand before degrading.

I never keep batteries long term (more than a week) fully charged.
I top them off before I go shooting.
I also buy a few spares to make up for the lesser charge in the ones I already have.
My batteries when inserted will usually read around 90%.
When the camera says the battery is at 30%...I slip in another one at 90%.