Originally published August 15 2005
Tips to keep electronics in top performance
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Follow these tips to extend the battery life of rechargeable batteries for products such as your laptop, iPod and PSP.
But they, and similar gadgets, also rely on rechargeable batteries.
While batteries probably don't rank high on most people's list of hot high-tech topics, PSP screens would go dark, RAZR calls wouldn't be connected and you wouldn't be able to listen to any iPod tunes without them.
Other types you may see are lithium-polymer (Li-Poly and very similar to lithium-ion) nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH).
Most manufacturers will tell you to completely charge them before use.
Nickel-based batteries require conditioning, which means they must be completely charged and discharged several times before initial use.
Failing to properly condition nickel-based batteries could lead to the formation of crystals, which can lead to batteries that won't hold a full charge, which can lead to memory problems in your ultracool gadget.
With lithium-ion batteries, partial charges and discharges are best on a regular basis.
These batteries do not develop memory problems.
However, lithium-ion batteries contain a fuel gauge that must be reset periodically.
This can be critical in laptop power managements systems that rely on the gauge to tell you how much juice is left before the computer shuts off.
It's best to use your batteries regularly.
But sometimes you have to store them, and storage can pose problems.
A 50% charge is optimum for storage.
Also, recondition nickel-based batteries if you have stored them for six months or longer to help regain lost capacity.
Dispose of your batteries correctly since they contain hazardous chemicals not suitable for landfills.
Many electronics retailers have in-store collection points.
What's more, the battery is small, less susceptible to extreme temperatures and boasts a longer lifespan.
Fuel cell batteries aren't recharged --- they're refilled with a chemical such as methanol.
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