Introduction
Most people believe that it is necessary to drain their power bank completely before charging it again. However, this is not the case and can actually damage your power bank. We will go over what you should do instead to prolong the life of your power bank.
What is a power bank?
A power bank is a device that stores energy and can be used to charge electronic devices such as phones and laptops. Power banks are usually made of lithium-ion batteries, which are the same type of batteries used in many electronic devices.
Most power banks have a capacity of about 10,000mAh, which means they can charge a phone with a 2,500mAh battery about four times. Some power banks are larger and can charge a phone several times over, or even charge a laptop.
How do power banks work?
Power banks use a variety of technologies to work, but the most common are Lithium-ion Polymer (LiPo) and nickel-metal Hydride (NiMH). Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but LiPo is generally considered the more efficient of the two.
NiMH power banks use a chemical reaction to store energy, while LiPo power banks use an electrical process. This means that NiMH power banks are more likely to suffer from “memory loss,” where they forget how much charge they can hold after being partially discharged. LiPo power banks don’t have this problem, which is why they’re often considered the better option.
What are the benefits of draining a power bank before charging?
- Better battery life – When you first get a new power bank, it’s important to condition the battery. This means using it until it’s completely drained before charging it back up to 100%. Doing this a few times when you first start using the power bank will help ensure optimal battery life in the long run.
- Prolonged shelf life – If you know you won’t be using your power bank for a while, it’s best to store it with a partial charge. A completely discharged battery is more likely to degrade faster when left unused, so giving it a small top-up before storing it away will help prolong its shelf life.
- Reduced risk of fire – Power banks that are kept at 100% charge all the time is at a higher risk of catching fire due to the increased heat and pressure on the internal components. Draining the power bank before recharging helps reduce this risk.
Are there any drawbacks to draining a power bank before charging?
While it’s not necessary to discharge your power bank all the way before charging, it is recommended. Draining and recharging is the most effective way to keep your power bank working properly for as long as possible.
When you use your power bank, it slowly loses capacity over time. This is because the lithium-ion batteries degrade each time they are charged and discharged. To combat this, many manufacturers recommend discharging your power bank to around 30% before plugging it in to charge.
While this method does work, it’s not the most effective way to keep your power bank healthy. Draining your power bank all the way before recharging is actually the best way to keep it in tip-top shape. This is because completely discharging and recharging help to recalibrate the battery life indicator, so it more accurately displays how much charge is left in the power bank. In addition, regularly draining and recharging helps to Keep Your Power Bank from Dying Too Soon.”
Conclusion
Based on what we know about how power banks work, it’s probably a good idea to drain them completely before plugging them in to charge. This will help ensure that the battery stays healthy and lasts for as long as possible.