Using gadgets the right way: battery myths

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The process of charging the batteries of smartphones, players and other mobile devices has become overgrown with a lot of conventions. Let's try to figure out which of this is true and which is fiction. And at the same time, we will figure out how to charge the device's battery correctly.

Do not use non-original chargers

A controversial issue, which is not always possible to give an unambiguous answer. On the one hand, it makes no difference which charger to use - proprietary or no-name. Modern chargers do not use transformers; instead, PWM controllers are used - microcircuits that convert alternating current into short constant pulses. Therefore, the risk of serious heating and malfunction is minimal.

The charging of the gadget is controlled by a special chip that sets the current consumed from the mains. So you won't be able to burn your favorite toy with the wrong charger. But it is quite possible to extend the charging process for several hours or not charge at all if the charger is not capable of delivering the required current.

We must not forget that gadgets do not regulate the voltage supply from the charger, so you cannot use chargers with a voltage different from the required voltage (for most tablets and smartphones, this USB port voltage is 5 V). Low voltage will prevent the charging control chip from turning on. High - will burn the microcircuit, you will have to hand it over for repair (with poor-quality design, something else may burn out, and the device will go to the landfill).

But if all the necessary parameters coincide with the characteristics of the original charger - why not save some money? The mark-ups for branded accessories reach 1,000%!

Can't use the device while charging

Again a double-edged sword. Any unplugged gadget consumes current while charging. However, if you play "heavy" games on your smartphone or tablet (for example, in the same Asphalt) while the battery of the device is charging, two differently directed processes can lead to unpleasant consequences.

When charging, gadgets tend to heat up. The same is true for intensive exploitation (for any resource-dependent processes). In fact, the heating will add up and you can overheat the device.

In addition, if you use your smartphone or tablet on a charge, the battery recharge time will increase. But all this does not mean that the device being charged cannot be used.

Only fully discharged batteries need to be charged

This myth was born when all devices used NiMH (nickel metal hydride) and NiCd (nickel cadmium) batteries. Such rechargeable cells have a memory effect. Therefore, if you charge such batteries with an incomplete discharge, their capacity will decrease over time.

Most devices today use lithium polymer (Li-Pol) batteries. Unlike nickel-cadmium, their discharge process is controlled by a microchip. Due to this, at a low charge, they still give out the rated current, with the same voltage and amperage as when fully charged.

However, any microcircuit requires power to work. Therefore, lithium polymer batteries do not charge when they are not charged at all. It is advisable to replenish their energy when the charge level drops to 20-30%. Otherwise, the charging process will not start and you will have to use alternative types of charging, starting the charge contrary to the battery circuitry. And this may well affect the life of the element.

Sometimes a full charge is needed to calibrate the charge sensor, but you shouldn't do it too often. And do not bring the device to shutdown.

In addition, each battery has a limited lifespan, expressed in the number of complete charge-discharge cycles.

Do not leave gadgets on charge overnight

Another myth associated with nickel batteries. These are quite capable of recharging, leading to combustion. But the lithium polymer is the current consumption when the IC driving the battery indicates a full charge. So modern smartphones can be left on charge at any time (if, of course, they are in good working order).

Free RAM helps conserve battery power

This is really a myth. RAM doesn't use much power. In addition, most often it is made in the form of a single microcircuit, which means that it is used in the same way all the time the device is turned on, no matter how many applications are running.

Operating the processor at lower frequencies allows you to really save battery power. Unfortunately, not all applications can work efficiently in the background and use up battery power all the time. Some applications are in conflict, causing power consumption to rise. Therefore, it is best not to clear memory using a variety of managers, but to use the task manager and fine-tune the system to disable unnecessary resource-intensive applications.

Disable communication protocols to extend battery life

This is relatively true. But, contrary to traditional opinion, it is not Wi-Fi, GPS or Bluetooth that consumes the most energy, but ordinary cellular communication. At the same time, the use of 3G (and even more so 4G) shortens the life of the device much faster than cellular communication and GPRS.

All of these protocols consume the most power when connected. Accordingly, in conditions of poor communication (poor reception, the presence of sources of interference), the power consumption is greatest.

All other interfaces consume little. True, this only applies to modern protocols. It must be remembered that it always works according to the lowest and simplest protocol: when connecting an old headset, power consumption will be high, even if the main gadget is modern.