Lithium-ion batteries are the newest technology batteries and offer several advantages over NiMH and NiCd batteries.   Lithium-ion batteries are preferred for their lighter weight and higher performance.  Lithium-ion batteries are typically 20-35% lighter and will provide 10-20% better performance than a NiMH battery of equivalent mAh rating.  Lithium-ion batteries are also unique in that they are not susceptible to the "memory effect".  

A new Lithium-ion battery will benefit from an initial "conditioning" of the battery.  For the first 3 charge cycles, fully charge the battery overnight and allow it to fully discharge before recharging.   Once conditioned, Lithium-ion batteries will perform best when charged at a rate somewhere between a conventional slow charge and a rapid charge.  When rapid charging, Lithium-ion batteries require a charger designed to charge Lithium batteries.  To achieve a true full charge when rapid charging, the battery needs to be slow charged the last 10-15% of its charge cycle.  Most "intelligent" desktop and Lithium-battery rapid chargers provide this capability.  A Lithium-ion battery may be damaged by extensive overcharging (continuously on a charger for more than 24 hours).    In addition to technologically advanced batteries, IBT has designed a line of Li-ION™ upgrade accessories (Available in the Americas in April 2001) specifically designed for any upgrade Lithium-Ion batteries.  Our LI-ION™  accessories will also charge your older Ni-MH and Ni-Cad batteries as well.

Key Cellular Battery Terms

Li-ion (Lithium Ion) Li-ion (Lithium Ion) batteries are quickly becoming the choice of anyone who is looking for long life and slim size wrapped into one. Availability is limited to top end cellular phones and laptop computers. These batteries offer the highest capacity and the lightest weight.   These are the batteries that IBT specializes in.  It is the newest and it is the best.

mAh (Milliamp Hours) mAh (Milliamp Hours) is a measurement used for rating the potential power of battery cells. A battery with a higher mAh rating provides longer talk time and standby time for your cellular phone. Higher mAh ratings usually mean a thicker battery. However, an Ni-MH battery will have a higher mAh rating than a Ni-Cd of the same size, because it stores energy more efficiently. Li-ion batteries are the most efficient batteries available and will pack the same amount of power in an even smaller and lighter battery

Ni-Cd (Nickel Cadmium) Ni-Cd (Nickel Cadmium) the most common type of battery cell is used in cellular phone, camcorder, laptop, and radio batteries. These are the most inexpensive rechargeable batteries, but they are notorious for building a "memory effect" if not fully discharged before re-charging. A battery that suffers from memory effect, also known as "voltage depression", will appear to be fully charged but will only last a short time. Often a repetitive discharge followed by a charge (3 to 4 times in a row) will correct this problem.

Ni-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) Ni-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) is becoming a popular choice of cellular phone and laptop users, because these batteries have a higher capacity and are virtually memory free. These batteries do not need to be discharged every time before recharging. Ni-MH batteries can be damaged from heat by overcharging but this is easily avoided by using a high quality, microprocessor controlled battery charger.

Other facts and comparisons of battery technologies

What is the difference between NiCD, NiMH, and LiIon batteries? NiCd: The Nickel Cadmium battery is the most durable battery on the market. These batteries are quick to charge, last for approximately 700 charge and discharge cycles, and work well in extreme temperatures. They do, however, suffer from "memory effect" if not completely discharged each cycle. "Memory effect" reduces the overall capacity of the battery, thus affecting its run time. If a battery is discharged to 30% and then recharged, for example, the battery will only charge to 30% of its capacity. If improperly cared for, a NiCd battery can quickly deteriorate.

NiMh: The Nickel Metal-Hydride battery runs almost 75% longer on each charge than NiCD batteries but only last for about 500 charge cycles. NiMH batteries, however, are resistant to memory effect. Made from non-toxic metals, NiMH batteries are also environmentally safe.

LiIon: The Lithium Ion battery is lightweight and does not suffer from memory effect. The LiIon battery also delivers a higher run time average. Similar to NiMH technology, LiIon batteries have a life expectancy of 500 charge and discharge cycles.

Do's:

Don'ts: