Charge when battery is low

[vmachiel]

Hi,

is it possible (or is there an app) to let the charging of the battery start when it hits 5% for example? Like, you have some left, but you want to plug in the cord an leave, and have the charging hold until 5% since draining it completely every now and then is good for the battery.

Thanks

 

[snaky69]

Hi,

is it possible (or is there an app) to let the charging of the battery start when it hits 5% for example? Like, you have some left, but you want to plug in the cord an leave, and have the charging hold until 5% since draining it completely every now and then is good for the battery.

Thanks

It doesn't matter for the battery, you can charge it at any level you want, they don't have a memory effect anymore.

 

[GGJstudios]

This should answer most, if not all, of your battery questions:

Apple Notebook Battery FAQ​

 

[Tydog07]

This should answer most, if not all, of your battery questions:

Apple Notebook Battery FAQ​

Although that article was helpful, it didn't state why you shouldn't keep your laptop plugged in, do these batteries have memory? Should I not charge it to 100% if it's at 45%?

 

[GGJstudios]

Although that article was helpful, it didn't state why you shouldn't keep your laptop plugged in...

Yes it does. If you click on the first link under the AC POWER section near the bottom, you'll read:

For proper maintenance of a lithium-based battery, it’s important to keep the electrons in it moving occasionally. Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time.

do these batteries have memory? Should I not charge it to 100% if it's at 45%?

No, they don't have the memory effect of NiCd batteries. It's fine to charge it at any time, whether it's fully drained, 20%, 45%, 88%.... it makes no difference. Just run on battery when you need to and plug it in when you can.

 

[Tydog07]

Yes it does. If you click on the first link under the AC POWER section near the bottom, you'll read:


No, they don't have the memory effect of NiCd batteries. It's fine to charge it at any time, whether it's fully drained, 20%, 45%, 88%.... it makes no difference. Just run on battery when you need to and plug it in when you can.

I did see that, but I want to make sure they didn't suggest that due to memory problems.

 

[GGJstudios]

I did see that, but I want to make sure they didn't suggest that due to memory problems.

There is no memory effect with the lithium-polymer batteries used in Apple notebooks. That means you can drain and recharge any time you need to, without regard to the percentage of charge available at any time. That doesn't suggest that the battery shouldn't be used on a regular basis to keep it healthy. The two are unrelated.

 

[duffmanth]

Hi,

is it possible (or is there an app) to let the charging of the battery start when it hits 5% for example? Like, you have some left, but you want to plug in the cord an leave, and have the charging hold until 5% since draining it completely every now and then is good for the battery.

Thanks

I was told to let the battery drain down to 20% then charge it.

 

[GGJstudios]

I was told to let the battery drain down to 20% then charge it.

It doesn't matter what percentage you drain it to. Read the Battery FAQ for facts.

 

[AFPoster]

It doesn't matter what percentage you drain it to. Read the Battery FAQ for facts.

I think you're the only one I know who constantly talks on the Battery questions in the forums. You're the Battery Guru!

 

[gaps]

Thanks for the info!

 

[gaps]

You just cleared up some myths for alot of people

 

[Tydog07]

You just cleared up some myths for alot of people

Agreed! But other than at least occasional full discharging/charging, is there anyway to prolong the life of a battery?

 

[GGJstudios]

Agreed! But other than at least occasional full discharging/charging, is there anyway to prolong the life of a battery?

It's not full discharging/recharging. That only needs to be done during calibration. If you read the Battery FAQ, you would have seen:

AppleCare support recommends that if you leave your Mac plugged in most of the time, unplug it every 2 or 3 days and run on battery down to somewhere around 50%, then plug it back in. That keeps the electrons moving.

The 50% isn't a hard number, either. 35%, 45%, 60%... anything is fine, as long as you don't just drop it to 90% and recharge. In other words, actually use your battery. That's all you really need to do to keep it healthy. Honestly, too many people obsess too much about their batteries, when simply using them will take care of most situations.

 

[JamDonut]

For what its worth GGJstudios you are epic, this is something me and my friends are always discussing, i'll be pleased to finally be able to point them at this thread and say "theirs your answer" you also cleared this up for me i did worry about it i must admit. Thanks!