Turbo Charger only useful at low battery levels?

[hal1]

I saw a review that showed the Turbo charger bringing the battery on a Moto X from 8 or 11% up to 36% in 15 minutes. But if the battery is already at 50% or more, will the turbo charger still add another 8 hours in just 15 minutes or is it designed only to quick charge at low levels?

 

[WAMstr]

I saw a review that showed the Turbo charger bringing the battery on a Moto X from 8 or 11% up to 36% in 15 minutes. But if the battery is already at 50% or more, will the turbo charger still add another 8 hours in just 15 minutes or is it designed only to quick charge at low levels?[/QUOTE]

The turbo

 

[iploya]

...and not to change the subject, but I decided to experiment on my unsuspecting wife's phone, and the Turbo charger seems to work just fine on hers too (a Motorola Droid Mini). Have not noticed if it charges hers any faster tho.

 

[WAMstr]

Just

 

[Thom]

I find your #3 and #4 difficult to accept. I suggest you check back with your source for a quotable source of information.

We have been instructed that the current technology monitors the charging process and turns off the charger when the battery is fully charged.

... Thom

 

[doogald]

"Do not leave on charger overnight" and "We suggest charging each night so you start the day fully charged" are opposite recommendations...

 

[DanL]

Just spoke with Motorola. Stated that:

3. Whether "turbo charging" or not for battery best practices you should deplete to 15% or below before charging for optimal battery life.
4. Do NOT overcharge. Do NOT leave on charger overnight.

Number 3 and 4 are not true. Motorola, and most other chargers automatically shut off when the battery is fully charged. Leaving the phone plugged in hurts nothing.
Older batteries performed better when allowed to deplete down. That is no longer necessary either.

 

[doogald]

Number 3 and 4 are not true. Motorola, and most other chargers automatically shut off when the battery is fully charged. Leaving the phone plugged in hurts nothing.
Older batteries performed better when allowed to deplete down. That is no longer necessary either.

Yes, you are right about number three. That is particularly bad advice for lithium ion batteries. Battery University has numbers showing that many small charges are better for long-term battery health than a small number of large charges. See this link:

How to Prolong Lithium-based Batteries - Battery University

 

[DanL]

Thanks for the link. Good information from a reliable source.

 

[foxkat]

Yes, you are right about number three. That is particularly bad advice for lithium ion batteries. Battery University has numbers showing that many small charges are better for long-term battery health than a small number of large charges. See this link:

How to Prolong Lithium-based Batteries - Battery University

Been saying this for the last few years. Battery University is THE resource for Lithium Ion battery charging information.

Also, the Turbo Charger is charging at a considerably higher rate during the Turbo Charging period, and this is also detrimental to the longevity of the battery. These batteries MUCH prefer to be charged at lower C (Charge rate as a multiple of the capacity).

I am subscribing to the personal plan to use a standard charger for nearly all charging, and will only substitute the Turbo charger for those infrequent times when I need such a boost to get by during a certain period where the battery is depleted.

And for everyone else, do not allow the phone to dip too far into the lower 15% of the charge levels if at all possible. Try to plug in as soon as possible after the phone tells you to charge it. This will help prolong the battery.

 

[WAMstr]

I find your #3 and #4 difficult to accept. I suggest you check back with your source for a quotable source of information.

We have been instructed that the current technology monitors the charging process and turns off the charger when the battery is fully charged.

... Thom

You mean you find Motorola representative's #3 and #4 difficult to accept. The first line clearly states that Motorola stated... I'm just passing on what Moto rep stated in the first section and what was in the Motorola book in the second section.

That was the reason for the dancing question marks...hell they're confusing me.

 

[WAMstr]

go

 

[-=Jeff=-]

You mean you find Motorola representative's #3 and #4 difficult to accept. The first line clearly states that Motorola stated... I'm just passing on what Moto rep stated in the first section and what was in the Motorola book in the second section.

That was the reason for the dancing question marks...hell they're confusing me.

Just because it is a Motorola rep does not mean they know what they are talking about.

I knew many when I was a Motorola employee that had no clue what they were saying

 

[doogald]

I'm going to continue going by the Battery University recommendations, with two caveats: because I like to wake up with a fully charged phone, I leave it charging overnight, and I almost always leave the phone on while charging overnight, though it's better not to. From what I have read on Battery University, small charges are best, probably between 60 and 80 percent if you can manage it. Charging to full with the phone powered off is better for the battery than leaving the phone running.

But, I just want my battery to be good enough for two years, and I think the way I charge will at least get me through that.

 

[Thom]

I agree.

Also ... there is NOTHING in the Turbo User's Guide warning about any new problem ... like leaving it on a charger too long or charging only from a certain level.

... Thom

 

[WAMstr]

yo

 

[WAMstr]

Have

 

[WAMstr]

uh huh crickets

 

[doogald]

The Maxx is now my backup phone. Battery life is not what it was at first but it remains fine, and remained fine for the 25 months I used it as my everyday phone, charging all but a handful of nights.