Here is some information on Apple's website about iPad batteries.
http://www.apple.com/batteries/ipad.html
Personally, I let my iPad drain to about 10% and charge it when I use it regularly. I let it completely drain till it powers off about every other month and then fully charge it. Here is a quote taken straight from Apple's website:
"Exercise Your Machine
Lithium-ion polymer batteries need to be used for maximum performance. If you don’t use your device often, be sure to complete a charge cycle at least once a month."
A charge cycle means using all of the battery’s power, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a single charge. For instance, you could use your notebook for an hour or more one day, using half its power, and then recharge it fully. If you did the same thing the next day, it would count as one charge cycle, not two, so it may take several days to complete a cycle.
Apple's site has pages on battery care. You don't have to look all over the internet. As always, when researching, consider the source.I looked all over the internet
I looked all over the internet, but everybody seems to have a different opinion on what's best. So what's best practice for charging the iPad 3.
- Complete drain
- Drain to 50%
- Recharging everyday ( so about 80% )
I don't think it ever "goes flat" even at 0%. If it is like the circuitry in most cell phones when it says "0" and shuts down it's really at 15-20% for exactly the reason you stated. I think the batteries specs are intentionally underrated.As often as possible.
Your battery has a limited number of full discharge / full charge cycles. However this number is reduced when you let the battery go flat, as this shocks the battery.
Topping it up whenever you are comfortably near a charger will prolong its life.
You cannot overcharge the device, and there is no harm in using it while plugged in.
Lithium Ion battery doesn't go flat, but as the voltage falls below 3.0V, iPad's onboard circuit will cut itself off. This is to prevent the Lithium Ion battery go into the Over-discharging state.I don't think it ever "goes flat" even at 0%.
I'll let you draw your own conclusions:
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries
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From Here:
http://www.cerdec.army.mil/directorates/docs/cpi/Cycled_Aged_LiIon_Cells.pdf
A light timer can be used to control your charging habits without much effort.
I recharge it at 0% and wait until it is at 100%.
Cycling doesn't mean a complete discharge.
When Apple says complete one charge cycle per month, they are not telling you to discharge the battery completely. If you deplete your battery to 50% and recharge you have half a cycle. Do the same again and you'll have a complete cycle.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1519