Question about charging the battery

[artemisblossom]

I just got my sony 505 a week ago and tonight I wanted to add a couple of new books to the reader and charge it. It showed 2 bars left on the battery icon. I plugged it in and added the books to the reader and then left it connected to charge. The little red light was on. I waited quite a while and it didn't say do not disconnect any more but the little red light was still on I thought on the quick start guide it said the light would go off if it was fully charged. Should i just plug it back in and let it sit until the red light goes off? It looks like I have full bars on the battery icon ? Am I damaging the battery by maybe not letting it get fully charged? How long does charging by connecting to a computer usually take?

[Jill75]

Here's an interesting answer about batteries of the Sony Reader in another thread:

At least first cycle until the message appears about a low battery. These types of batteries need to initialize their capacity. Normally three full cycles would be the best with this type of battery but because it's so long lasting I just went for one complete cycle.

After that you can charge it whenever you want but you should at least fully discharge it every 30 times or so to initialize/reset the battery. This will be better because otherwise the battery indicator on your reader screen can be wrong in the capacity that it's showing and can cause the reader to think the battery is low while in real it maybe hold 25% or so. Also it is better for the battery itself.

[artemisblossom]

ok ummmmmmmm so does the litle red light go off when it is fully charged?? And how long does it usually take??

[Who are you?]

Mine takes about 2 hours to recharge from low battery message to full when charging through USB.

[BlackVoid]

"At least first cycle until the message appears about a low battery. These types of batteries need to initialize their capacity. "

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!


That is ancient history. These are not NiMH batteries but Lithium-ion. Totally different.

Read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_ion

[BlackVoid]

From the Wikipedia article:


Guidelines for prolonging Li-ion battery life

* Like many rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion batteries should be charged early and often. However, if they are not used for a long time, they should be brought to a charge level of around 40%–60%
* Lithium-ion batteries should not be frequently fully discharged and recharged ("deep-cycled"), but this may be necessary after about every 30th recharge to recalibrate any electronic charge monitor (e.g. a battery meter). This allows the monitoring electronics to more accurately estimate battery charge.[27] This has nothing to do with the memory effect.
* Li-ion batteries should never be depleted to below their minimum voltage, 2.4 V to 3.0 V per cell.
* Li-ion batteries should be kept cool. Ideally they are stored in a refrigerator. Aging will take its toll much faster at high temperatures. The high temperatures found in cars cause lithium-ion batteries to degrade rapidly.
* Li-ion batteries should not be frozen [50] (most lithium-ion battery electrolytes freeze at approximately −40 °C; however, this is much colder than the lowest temperature reached by household freezers).
* Li-ion batteries should be bought only when needed, because the aging process begins as soon as the battery is manufactured.[27]
* When using a notebook computer running from fixed line power over extended periods, consider removing the battery[51] and storing it in a cool place so that it is not affected by the heat produced by the computer.


DISCHARGING THESE BATTERIES FULLY ARE NOT GOOD FOR THE BATTERY AT ALL.

[Renaldo]

Originally Posted by BlackVoid

"At least first cycle until the message appears about a low battery. These types of batteries need to initialize their capacity. "

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!


That is ancient history. These are not NiMH batteries but Lithium-ion. Totally different.

Read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_ion

Thank you, I was about to post this!

So, is the red light actually supposed to come on when charging through the USB? Mine doesn't. It comes on when I put it on an AC charger, but it stays off when I put it on USB. Everything about the reader works/acts fine, and I've got great battery life, so this isn't anything I'm worried about. And, it does charge through the USB.

[Who are you?]

Without Sony software installed on your computer or when charging from a wall socket to usb charger it won't light up.

[dordale]

From my experience, if the red light isn't lit, then the battery is not being charged. In fact, it may be being drained.

dordale

[Renaldo]

Originally Posted by Who are you?

Without Sony software installed on your computer or when charging from a wall socket to usb charger it won't light up.

Gotcha. That's it then. I've got the Sony software installed but generally don't have it running since I use Calibre. That explains it then.

Originally Posted by dordale

From my experience, if the red light isn't lit, then the battery is not being charged. In fact, it may be being drained.

Nope, it's definitely be charged. I end up with more bars than I had before

[ladyjane]

I have the sony 505 and I use a usb to charge, make sure you give it a good charge in the beginning when you first install your software , about 4 hours the red light will be on while its chargeing and when its off your done. I usually charge with usb again when I have one bar left. I haven,t had any discharging battery as some ppl have. If you want you can pick up a PSP wall charger and get a quicker charge with it..have fun with your new reader your going to love it..and make sure you ask all the questions you have about what ever There is always amazing and helpful ppl here..I should know I asked and learned.