Proper way to recharge a lithium battery?

[famousdavis]

I have an iPAQ 1910. Typically, I recharge my PPC twice a day -- once in the morning, before I go off to work, and once when I get home, so I can use it again during the evening.

I've wondered whether I should always recharge my battery until it is 100% recharged, or whether there is any harm done by giving the battery a partial charge (because, say, I need to leave the house before the battery is fully recharged)?

Also, if a lithium ion battery can be recharged for 1000 times or so, is it adviseable to recharge as infrequently as possible?

[Janak Parekh]

Partial recharges are fine, and they generally act as a fraction of the recharge cycle. In general, a partial recharge is better than a deep discharge.

See the manual I reference here (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9063) for all the technical details on maintaining batteries.

--janak

[PoweriPaq]

I heard discharging a lithium ion battery will brake the battery. Is that true?

[famousdavis]

Janak, thank you very much! The technical document was exceedingly helpful!

I do wish that makers of electronic equipment would do a better job of explaining how to care for rechargable batteries to equipment purchasers. If, for example, I should fully charge the battery that comes with my PPC -- or cell phone -- then a big red tape ought to be wrapped around the device with big letters that state that fact. Burying the info deep in a manual -- or, worse, not at all -- seems to do a disservice to the customer.

[dave3]

ok so I have 2 more questions that I could not find in the guide:

1. what is the % You should not let Your battery go under? I have been letting it go down to 10-15%

2. is the fast usb charging too hard on the ipaq battery?