Li-Ion batteries charge reporting accuracy issues
Question:
I just read your review of the Treo 700W, as well as the Disgruntled comment. While I am not un-sympathetic to your point about WM5’s battery monitor programs being comparable, it is worth mentioning that with Li-Ion batteries, they gain accuracy in their level reporting the more they have had their power cycled. I don’t know how long you tested the treo for, but if you did this test more or less “out of the box” then it’s entirely possible that the battery is simply not reporting accurately as opposed to your 6700 which has had (from the sound of it) many complete power cycles, giving you a more precise measure.
Great review, I’m not trying to put you down; just dropping off my two cents.
Answer:
>it is worth mentioning that with Li-On batteries,
>they gain accuracy in their level reporting the more they have had their power cycled.
Thanks very much for the info - I wasn’t aware of this. Do you happen to have a link to more information?
Response from user:
Here is one of the sources I had read, although in the interests of full disclosure I have to say I checked the Wiki article on Li-Ion batteries and found no mention of this effect… Neither, however, any refutation of this claim, and I have seen it mentioned on several sites. Hope this is helpful:
“Preparing new lithium-ion for use”, from The Battery University
Unlike nickel and lead-based batteries, a new lithium-ion pack does not need cycling through charging and discharging. Priming will make little difference because the maximum capacity of lithium-ion is available right from the beginning. Neither does a full discharge improve the capacity of a faded pack. However, a full discharge/charge will set the digital circuit of a ’smart’ battery to improve the state-of-charge estimation.
…Batteries with fuel gauge (laptops) should be calibrated by applying a deliberate full discharge once every 30 charges. Running the pack down in the equipment does this. If ignored, the fuel gauge will become increasingly less accurate and in some cases cut off the device prematurely.
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