iPod How do I prolong the life of the mini's battery?

[dferigmu]

I'm about to get an iPod mini and had some questions about prolonging the life of its battery and getting the most out of it:

1. Does the battery need to be calibrated, meaning completely drained and then recharged once before I start using it?

2. I have been told that it's bad to run the battery to empty and that I should charge it only when it's almost empty. It's hard to see the little battery icon though. How can you tell that it's almost empty and what will the mini do when the battery has almost run out?

3. What should I do with the mini if I don't use it for a while?

4. What other steps should I take and settings should I use to make the battery last the longest?

Thanks!

 

[StarbucksSam]

1. No.

2. It makes very little difference when you charge it.

3. Make sure you put it on hold so you won't be using battery life you wouldn't have to otherwise use. The charge cycles are limited.

4. Turn off Equalizers and backlights.

Hope that helps.

 

[bbarnhart]

Use the iPod - Don't let it sit for several weeks without using it. This shouldn't be too hard.

Don't let your iPod get too hot or too cold - Both of those factors will reduce battery life.

There should have been some documentation on the best ways to keep your battery in your iPod a peak performance.

 

[nagromme]

1. Calibration helps only the accuracy of the battery-life meter on the screen--not actual battery life. A full drain occasionally can help calibrate the meter.

2. But a full drain isn't good for the life of modern rechargeable devices. It's better to use the "top" of the charge: so recharge often if you can. Letting your device run out doesn't hurt it--that's what the battery is there for--but making a habit of it won't give you the best battery lifetime.

3. To get more life BETWEEN charges, turning off light and equalizer helps as mentioned--and also not skipping songs more than you have to. Skipping makes the HD spin more.

4. iPods these days have battery life to spare, at least for my needs! I never see the meter below about 75% on my Photo.

 

[dferigmu]

2. It makes very little difference when you charge it.

So there's no difference between charging it every night and charging it once a week, if I use it for about 2-3 hours a day?

 

[RJP31484]

Also, when you are charging your ipod from a computer's USB or Firewire port, be sure to eject the ipod in itunes, but still leave it plugged in. If you leave it not ejected, your computer will be constantly accessing its hard drive , and draining its battery a little bit. Therefore, it will very slightly discharge, charge, discharge, charge... even though you are not actually using it. After time this could result in a shortened battery life.

 

[nagromme]

So there's no difference between charging it every night and charging it once a week, if I use it for about 2-3 hours a day?

I don't believe that's true. Charging every night IS better, as I understand it. Thus using the "top" of the charge and not getting down to the very bottom as often.

More here: http://ipodbatteryfaq.com/

 

[dotdotdot]

If you dont use it for long periods of time, make the battery life 50% and turn it off and put it on hold.

 

[dferigmu]

If you dont use it for long periods of time, make the battery life 50% and turn it off and put it on hold.

I heard that if I don't use it for a longer period of time, it's better to charge it completely and make sure to use it before 14 days. I heard the battery wears out between 14-28 days.

 

[dferigmu]

Also, when you are charging your ipod from a computer's USB or Firewire port, be sure to eject the ipod in itunes, but still leave it plugged in. If you leave it not ejected, your computer will be constantly accessing its hard drive , and draining its battery a little bit. Therefore, it will very slightly discharge, charge, discharge, charge... even though you are not actually using it. After time this could result in a shortened battery life.

I'll probably just sync it with iTunes when putting music on it and charge it with the AC adapter. I heard charging with the AC adapter cuts down on potential USB 2.0 port problems.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

So there's no difference between charging it every night and charging it once a week, if I use it for about 2-3 hours a day?

Just remember that there's a limit to the number of charge cycles the battery can make before it's dead. Usually a number of 500 is mentioned...

 

[dferigmu]

I don't believe that's true. Charging every night IS better, as I understand it. Thus using the "top" of the charge and not getting down to the very bottom as often.

More here: http://ipodbatteryfaq.com/

Ok, I read on http://www.ipodbatteryfaq.com that it doesn't matter how often you charge the iPod as long as you use it a little before charging it.

What confused me is that the Web site also said it's desirable to occasionally fully discharge the battery, about once every 30 charges, to calibrate the battery.

Before I read to never completely discharge the battery!?!

 

[dferigmu]

Just remember that there's a limit to the number of charge cycles the battery can make before it's dead. Usually a number of 500 is mentioned...

Yeah, I did read that as well. I also read that the battery doesn't have a memory and you could charge it twice with the battery level at 50% and it would still count as only one cycle.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Yeah, I did read that as well. I also read that the battery doesn't have a memory and you could charge it twice with the battery level at 50% and it would still count as only one cycle.

No, I don't think so, one charge should be the same as one charge cycle, nomatter if you "just top it up" or perform a one hour "80% charge". I often do the latter, just to have enough power to go for a walk or whatever...