Introduction
Like the most of us I've used Li-Ion batteries in many everyday devices. I also use a few LiPo Batteries in RC-airplanes. In the last years I read about their correct usage and charging. These are some of the things I learned:
- Discharging a cell below minimum voltage kills it (capacity decreases).
- Overcharging a cell above the maximum voltage kills it.
- Thats why you use a balancer while loading a pack of cells in series. It balances the cells to an identical voltage level by discharging the higher-voltage-cells.
- There's nearly no memory effect. No need to discharge before charging.
- For long term storage charge it to 65-80%. Not less to avoid undercutting the minimum voltage. More voltage would mean more wear and ageing, because of a higher amount of chemical reactions.
- You should wait some time after using a battery before charging it again. Which leads me to the
Question
How long should you wait after usage before charging?
For example if I use a battery powered string-trimmer or lawn-mower and the battery has gone empty (and probably quite warm) – how long should I wait before connecting it to the charger?
I guess reasons you should wait are temperature, or ongoing chemical reactions. Also I think you should wait longer if the battery had to deliver very high-current like the lawn-mower or a fast rc-airplane which will lead to higher battery temperature.
(Sidequestion: if it's about temperature would it help to put the battery in the fridge after use, to be able to charge it earlier?)
Best Answer
High or low charges on a stored lithium battery stress it, even with the battery otherwise idle. The best way to store lithium-ion or lipo is at about half charge and close to 0C (32F) without actually freezing it. Note that there's a lot of superstition about batteries, and you'll get different answers from different places, so don't be afraid to verify.
Also:
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries is a good detailed source.