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Originally Posted by toefer
So if these batteries have no memory, is it true then that the "conditioning" tips don't really apply (the ones in the thread to improve battery life... drain down to 0%, then fully charge)?
Also, would it make a difference when you charge the battery? If I notice it's lost some of it's charge, and is at around 75%, is it fine to charge it back up to 100% before heading out somewhere, or should I only charge it when it gets really low?
Right now I only charge it when it's pretty dead (3% or less), but it'd be more convenient to know I could charge it whenever I felt like, without affecting the length of a full charge.
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I don't want to highjack the thread, but you can keep Lithium "LiIon" on the charger or keep topping them off without fear of developing a memory effect.
Conditioning is absolutely needed and necessary when dealing with the old technology of NiCad and needed only occasionally for NiMh but not near as dramatic a need and has far less memory issues than the older NiCad type.
I "hate" NiCad due to the alternatives.. thats why you rarely see them in the stores but occasionally you will see them in the cheaper hand tools as they think they can pawn them off on unsuspecting customers and make a few bucks with the cheap batteries.
Lithium on the other hand breaks the mold and has virtually no memory issues.. at least not enough to consider dealing with as you will occasionally drain your batter pretty low anyway.. but don't think you have to do it on purpose or "condition" the battery.
If you want to buy hand tools and have them still work 5 years later... .get em with LiIon or better!
NOTE*.. one negative... LiIon batteries dont appreciate getting wet!... it will toast them.
The even newer LiPo batteries are lighter and more powerful for their size and can charge faster than regular LiIon but have a slight downside in that the cells need to be equalized better... All that really means is they "like" to be on the charger and left there when not in use.
You will start seeing more and more of these. They too have no memory effects and can be drained down and left down for extended periods, but when they do get charged, they like a "good" charge.