Portable chargers and power banks are all the rage now. Mobile phones and other devices have necessitated the need for great and high-quality portable chargers and power banks throughout daily lives. There are a number of different power banks, however, and many of them function in different ways to work optimally.
For example, some have much higher capacities and can charge devices without the need to be recharged themselves for a few days. Others need frequent charging and to be plugged in every night so that they have enough juice to properly function the next day.
There are a number of factors which determine the portable charger or power bank that will work for you, and there’s also a question of how often you should charge your power bank or portable charger depending on which you choose to buy. Here’s a guide which will answer these questions and help you maintain your portable charger.
How Often Your Charger Should Be Charged
Mobile devices require a surprisingly large amount of power to function. Luckily, there are a number of chargers which can charge these devices quickly and efficiently. When you use your portable charger or power bank, you’ll want to be sure to charge it so that you can use it again when you need it. Most of these products will come with power indicators which let you know how low they are on battery and how long they’ll need to be charged.
Many of the devices you buy will come with instruction manuals and other pieces of information which should have charging and recharging times within them. There are also guide online which tell you exactly how long you should charge your power banks and portable chargers to keep them in mint condition and functioning well for the duration of their lives. The battery life of portable chargers has improvement significantly from just a few years ago.
LED Indicators and Enhancements
In the past, power banks and portable chargers would last only several months to a couple of years, but these items now will last anywhere from three to four years, depending on the brand and quality of the item you buy. The first thing you should know about when making your portable charger last as long as possible is that you should pay close attention to the LED indicators on the portable charger you choose to purchase.
Many chargers will come with a set of these LED lights which let you know when the charger is close to out of battery and when a recharge is due. Many think that they should only charger their chargers when the LED indicates that they’re out of battery. In reality, you should charger your charger up when it’s about halfway full and keep charging it until it’s at about ninety-five percent full. This charging schedule will ensure the battery never overexerts itself and that the battery cell is never more than “fully charged.”
This technique will keep your battery functioning for a longer period of time and keep your mobile devices charged more quickly and for longer as well. You should try to avoid charging your portable charger when it’s more than fifty percent full, and really even when it’s more than twenty-five percent charged.
When to Charge
Portable chargers are designed to go down to their last ounce of battery before needing to be recharged. Charging your power bank too early or too late could cause overheating, which interferes with the battery cell and will hamper the production and life of the power bank you’ve chosen. There are a variety of ways to charge your portable charger.
You can connect it to an outlet if you wish, or you can connect it to a laptop or other power supply. No matter how you choose to charge your charger, make sure that it’s never over or under charged to ensure long battery life and ease of use every time.
Again, the manufacturer should send you instructions telling you how long the charger needs to charge in order to function properly and for the entire length of its life. You should be given a manual detailing how long it takes for your charger to go from zero to full battery life. Disconnecting the charger when it’s fully charged will help maintain its life.
Keep Your Charger Living Longer
Many think that the time they charge their charger for is immaterial and will not affect its lifespan. This is a common but incorrect assumption. Keeping your charger between fifteen and eighty percent charged will help increase its lifespan by avoiding overheating. Any more or less charged than this and your charger could be liable to overheat and malfunction before its time should be up.
Keeping this is mind will save you money down the road and keep your charger functioning at its optimal level for several years down the road. You should always unplug your charger when it’s not in use and keep it stored in an environment which is not too cold or hot. Keeping your charger in a moderate temperature will keep it optimally “healthy” and keep the circuitry running smoothly and efficiently. If you want your charger to last for its full and extended lifetime, keep these tips and techniques in mind.
Common Myths
There are many myths and false information about chargers. People rarely know every great technique and method to use to keep their chargers ticking and working properly for their full lifespan. First, you should never keep your charger plugged in overnight unless it’s actively charging your device. While keeping it plugged in a few nights won’t hurt it, doing so consistently, for several weeks then months, can damage it and keep it overheated on a consistent basis, which will hurt its circuitry.
Most also think that they only need to charge their charger when it dies or is close to dying. This is also a misconception; your charger should stay between twenty and eighty percent charged to keep it operating at full capacity and optimally over the course of its life. Lithium-ion batteries are more fragile than most realize and shouldn’t be taken to their breaking point often.
The Bottom Line
Keeping your charger between twenty and eighty percent charged will keep it in optimal and working condition over the course of its lifetime. Keeping your portable charger away from particularly cold or hot conditions will also help it avoid overheating, which is also great for its longevity.
Keep your phone and other devices plugged in when they need a charger but plug them out when they’re finished charging and ensure your charger never overcharges itself. Heeding these tips and tricks will keep your power bank running in optimal condition for its lifetime.
