[exsterminator]

Is it better to wait for the battery to almost completely drain before recharging or should I just keep topping it up whenever I am able? Which method gives the best battery performance and durability? How often ought I to consider replacing the battery with a new one? I have had the phone for almost a year now.

Thanks,

[John Clark]

Generally, run it down to 15-20% the first few cycles then after that just keep it charged. I charge mine every night. Every so often (once a month, maybe) run the battery down to 15% just to reset it's battery level indicator circuitry.

[JSanders]

Read this:

Battery Use Tips for your Maximum Battery Life | BlackBerryNews.com

[John Clark]

Good article. I still stand behind the 3 cycles when new, though.

[JSanders]

You people are getting few and far between these days.

But it won't hurt the battery, but does nothing since the Li-Ion battery doesn't have memory.

[yhang]

my battery drains so much faster. I charged it till it almost at 100%. when i got to work the following day, checked on it and the unit was too hot, even the screen and the battery. Please help..

[JSanders]

A side effect from charging.

[yhang]

is that normal? this is the 1st time that it happened. when i charged it yesterday though, the bat was really drained. i got here at work at around 11 and it was charged almost a 100% and now the bat indicator turned yellow and looks like it needs recharging and that's only after 5hrs. Should i turn the unit off and charge it again when i get home?

[steveoevets]

Try checking to see how many background processes and applications you are running. Twitter, IM etc etc...

[yhang]

i dont think i have any.. but the arrow right beside the signal is always there..

[steveoevets]

that would mean there's something going on. Is the arrow pointing down or up? The direction indicates data flow respectively. If it's pointing down then you are receiving something from somewhere. Oppostite is true if the up arrow is there.

[steveoevets]

The high heat of your device would also indicate that the radio is constantly transmitting / receiving.

[JSanders]

yhang, have you even read the link posted above in the older posts? All that you probably need about background applications, etc., charging is covered in that link.

[yhang]

i'm new with BB.. What do u mean by radio?
sorry, not a technical person.. :(

[JSanders]

radio = Your wireless signal...

[Terasec]

Originally Posted by exsterminator

Is it better to wait for the battery to almost completely drain before recharging or should I just keep topping it up whenever I am able? Which method gives the best battery performance and durability? How often ought I to consider replacing the battery with a new one? I have had the phone for almost a year now.

Thanks,

My battery life was going haywire
tech advised that when charging i should wait for battery life to get low, say around 20% or so,
and should only charge it with phone off,
what i was doing , charging every night, phone off, charging in the car and and in the office regardless of level, or on/off.
killed my battery in 1 yr
he also stated half life of batteries under prime recharging is generally 2.5 yrs.

[JSanders]

Terasec, thanks.

Your tech was wrong. For Li-Ion batteries draining them constantly kills them quicker. Topping them 'as needed' is recommended. Not every minute a charger cord presents itself, but as needed.

[Dubdub]

I concur with JSanders above. I keep mine topped off and plugged in to the laptop most of the day. Have had no problems at all.

[ndub33]

Likewise here. I rarely let it get under 50%.