Cycling a lithium-ion battery refers to a single complete discharge and recharge cycle. This doesn't necessarily mean going from 100% to 0% and back to 100% in one go. It's more about the cumulative discharge.
Here's a breakdown of what constitutes a cycle and how it works, according to the reference provided:
Understanding Battery Cycles
A lithium-ion battery cycle isn't always about a full 0-100% discharge. Partial discharges can contribute to completing a single cycle.
- Partial Discharge: You don't need to fully deplete your battery to complete a cycle. For instance, you might use 75% of your battery's capacity one day, then recharge it fully overnight.
- Accumulation: If you only **use 25% the next day, you will have discharged a total of 100%, and the two days will add up to one charge cycle. It could take several days to complete a cycle.
Examples of Completing a Charge Cycle
| Day | Battery Usage | Total Accumulated Discharge |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 75% | 75% |
| Day 2 | 25% | 100% (One Complete Cycle) |
Or:
| Day | Battery Usage | Total Accumulated Discharge |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 30% | 30% |
| Day 2 | 30% | 60% |
| Day 3 | 40% | 100% (One Complete Cycle) |
Practical Implications
Because battery life is often measured in charge cycles, understanding how these cycles accumulate can help you manage your device usage.
- Prolonging Battery Life: Consider that frequent partial discharges might be preferable to infrequent full discharges, depending on the specific battery and device. Research the manufacturer's recommendations for optimal charging practices.
