When we unwrap a new smartphone or laptop fresh out the box, its lithium batteries are our last thought. We put the device on preliminary charge, and then scan through the instructions to learn the basics. If the manual includes battery advice we skip over that part, because new lithium battery care is not a priority. We want to fire up the device and show it to our friends.
And so we get stuck in, and explore what we can do with our new tool or toy instead. However, we are too impatient to study the details to the Nth degree.
We decide we will learn on the fly and google if we are stuck. The poor manual writer does not have a chance even though they tried so hard.
Besides, the instructions may be in ‘Chinglish’ and we probably would not understand them anyway in that case.
Are All New Lithium Batteries Fully Charged before Use?
From what we’ve seen, not all new lithium batteries are fully charged when new. We had fresh insights into new lithium battery care, when someone we know bought a new one for their elderly laptop. We borrowed the lithium-ion battery instruction leaflet to see what we could discover. And we learned new things as we read.
The Low Down on New Lithium Battery Care
For the first time we were looking at a document focused entirely on new lithium battery care. There was nothing else to distract us and so we read through to the end. A footnote at the bottom caught our eye. “We normally ship new battery packs in partial charge condition,” it said.
“Please fully charge the battery before using it for the first time. The rechargeable battery reaches maximum capacity only after 3 to 5 volumetric charge or discharge cycles.” This should program the battery limits to maximum capacity. It is such a pity this new lithium battery care advice is not always highlighted in the device instructions.
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