Batteries **

Help Your Battery Go The Distance

Batteries don't rank high on anyone's list of hot tech topics. But without them, screens go dark, calls drop and tunes die.Today, lithium-ion (Li-Ion) is the battery of choice. Other types you may see are nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH). Here are five things to remember about batteries:1. Consider conditioning Lithium-ion batteries typically arrive in a partially charged state. Most manufacturers will tell you to completely charge them before use. Otherwise, they don't need to be conditioned.Nickel-based batteries require conditioning. They must be completely charged and discharged several times before initial use. Otherwise, they won't function to their full potential. Check your manual.2. Charge them properly Batteries can be troublesome. They lose their capacity over time. Further, they have a limited number of charge cycles.You can prolong the lifespan. Failing to properly condition nickel-based batteries could lead to the formation of crystals. That can cause memory problems, in which batteries won't hold a full charge.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. The fuel gauge measures the charge left in a battery. A gauge that is not reset periodically could become inaccurate. This can be critical in laptops, because their power management may rely on the gauge. Completely discharge lithium-ion batteries about once a month to reset the gauge.Fuel gauges should not be a problem with nickel-based batteries, assuming they are discharged and charged regularly.3. Store them correctly It's best to use your batteries regularly. But sometimes you have to store them. And you guessed it – storage poses problems. Don't store batteries completely discharged. A 50 percent charge is optimum.If you store them for six months or longer, re-condition nickel-based batteries. This will help regain lost capacity. Simply charge lithium-ion batteries before use.4. Batteries don't last forever It's a fact of life. No matter how well you care for a battery, it will eventually die.You'll have many options when you buy a replacement battery. Third-party replacements are available online. Prices are often a fraction of manufacturers' prices. Sellers might also boast improved performance.Fight your frugal urges. Manufacturers test their batteries to ensure a good fit. They also test the batteries rigorously for safety. If something goes wrong – really wrong – with a third-party replacement, you've probably voided your gadget's warranty.And please, dispose of your batteries correctly. They contain hazardous chemicals not suitable for landfills. Many electronics retailers have in-store collection points.5. Batteries are about to get exciting Advancements are on the horizon for batteries. And they're exciting.Toshiba recently announced a rapid-charge battery. This lithium-ion battery achieves 80 percent of its charge in just one minute. A few more minutes, and it's fully charged.Additionally, the battery is smaller, less susceptible to extreme temperatures, and boasts a longer lifespan. It will debut in 2006, primarily for automotive purposes. Expect adaptations for personal technology use.Fuel cell batteries are also coming for gadgets. Several companies are developing them. Fuel cell batteries aren't recharged, per SE. Instead, they're refilled with a chemical such as methanol.This means instantaneous power. The chemical reacts with air to produce power. Fuel cells have roughly 50 times the power potential of comparably sized lithium-ion batteries.
Allan Kaplan, W1AEL