Storing a Li-Ion Device

[owensdj]

For the sake of the battery, is it better to store devices long term with the battery fully charged or fully discharged?

 

[Zodiark1593]

From my understanding, Li Ion batteries degrade faster with a full charge, but over discharging one will kill it in short order. A 40% charge should avoid accelerated degradation while leaving enough juice to keep the self discharge from killing your battery.

Keep in mind too, many devices will draw power even when shut off, so keep that in mind. In such a case, leave more charge(~70%), and keep an eye on it every couple weeks to a month.

The batteries used in mobile devices seem pretty good about being neglected though, heck, the battery in my GBA SP still works after over 7 years of storage, granted, I barely get 2 hours out of it now. The batteries I use in RC cars, however, can degrade in as little as a week if I leave them with a full charge.

 

[pm]

Yeah, keep it in the middle - about 60-70% charge - as Zodiark said.

Also make sure to keep it in a cool place - the cooler the better (as long as it's above freezing).