Battery Tips

Usage

1. New battery comes in a discharged condition and must be charged before use. Upon initial use (or after prolonged storage period) the battery may require two to three charge/discharge cycles before achieving the maximum capacity.

2. When charging the battery for the first time your charging device may indicate that charging is complete after just 10 or 15 minutes. This is a normal phenomenon with rechargeable batteries. Simply remove the battery from the charging device and repeat the charging procedure.

3. It is important to condition (fully discharge and then fully charge) the battery every two to three weeks. Failure to do so may significantly shorten the battery's life (this does not apply to Li-Ion batteries, which do not require conditioning). To discharge, simply run your device under the battery's power until it shuts down or until you get a low battery warning. Then recharge the battery as instructed in your user's manual.

4. It is normal that the battery becomes warm during charging or discharging. If it is getting too hot, please ask qualified personnel to check it.

5. It's a good idea to clean dirty battery contacts with a cotton swab and alcohol. This helps maintain a good connection between the battery and the portable device.

6. If you don't plan on using the battery for a month or more, store it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and metal objects. Ni-CD, Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries will self-discharge during storage; remember to recharge the batteries before use.

Alert!

1. Do not let battery to short-circuit. A short-circuit may cause severe damage to the battery.

2. Do not drop, hit or otherwise abuse the battery as this is danger.

3. Do not expose the battery to moisture or rain.

4. Keep battery away from fire or other sources of extreme heat. Exposure of battery to extreme heat may result in an explosion.

Knowledge

Batteries worked with portable consumer devices (laptops/notebooks, camcorders, digital camera, etc.) are principally made using Nickel Cadmium (Ni-CD), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) or Lithium Ion (Li-ion) technologies. Each type of rechargeable battery technology has its own unique characteristics.

Ni-CD and Ni-MH: the main difference between the two is the fact that Ni-MH batteries (the newer of the two technologies) offer higher energy densities than Ni-CD Batteries. In other words, pound for pound, Ni-MH delivers approximately 100% more capacity than its Ni-CD counterpart. What this translates into is increased run-time from the battery with no additional bulk to weigh down your portable device. Ni-MH also offers another major advantage: NiCad batteries tend to suffer from what is called the "Memory Effect". Ni-MH batteries are less prone to develop this dreaded affliction and thus require less maintenance and care. Ni-MH batteries are also more environmentally friendly than their Ni-Cd counterparts, since they do not contain heavy metals (which present serious landfill problems).

Li-ion has quickly become the emerging standard for portable power in consumer devices. Li-ion batteries produce the same energy as Ni-MH batteries but weigh approximately 35% less. This is crucial in applications such as camcorders or notebook computers, where the battery makes up a significant portion of the device's weight. Another reason Li-ion batteries have become so popular is that they do not suffer from the memory effect AT ALL. They are also better for the environment for they don't contain toxic materials such as Cadmium or Mercury.