A couple of questions regarding ipad battery and charging?

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Level 1

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A couple of questions regarding ipad battery and charging?

Hi,

I bought my 16 GB ipad 3 (wifi model) in late Dec. 2012 and so far I have been charging it to 100% then depleting it (on many sessions of usage) until it reaches 1% (sometimes 0%) then recharge until it reaches 100%...etc. I thought, with no ground for it, that this is good for the battery but I was ignorant and read that this is dangerous on the battery lifespan.

I've done this recharge/discharge (From 0% / 1%--->100% and vice versa) ~15 times which means I've consumed ~15 charge cycles and my questions are:)

1) What damages, if any, I may have caused internally to the battery cells (even if it apparently seems that the battery is OK)?

2) After reading an imp. article about ipad batteries, I decided NOT to allow myself below 10% anymore no matter what so I'll always make it a habit to go from 10% to 100% and vice versa which means, for me at least, I'll never consume the 1000 charge cycles (before reaching 80% battery capacity) so how it will happen that my battery will consume 1000 charge cycles eventually If I will insist on NOT consuming any more charge cycles? (because apple defines a charge cycle as going from 0 to 100 and vice versa).

Thanks in advance.

iPad, iOS 6.1.2, 16GB WiFi ONLY

Posted on Apr 2, 2013 2:40 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

stedman1

Community+ 2024

Level 10

256,650 points

Apr 2, 2013 2:50 AM in response to omega888

1: You most like have not done any permanent damage to the battery.

2: Yes you will still be accumulating charge cycles, although at a slower rate. A charge cycle doesn't necessarily mean a complete discharge to 0%. 1 cycle could also mean 2 discharge/charge from 100% to 50% to 100%.

You can not use the battery without accumulating charge cycles.

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Answer 2

Apr 2, 2013 6:25 AM in response to omega888

FYI

The quickest way (and really the only way) to charge your iPad is with the included 10W or 12W (5W on Mini) USB Power Adapter. iPad will also charge, although more slowly, when attached to a computer with a high-power USB port (many recent Mac computers) or with an iPhone Power Adapter (5W). When attached to a computer via a standard USB port (2.5W, most PCs or older Mac computers) iPad will charge very slowly (but iPad indicates not charging). Make sure your computer is on while charging iPad via USB. If iPad is connected to a computer that’s turned off or is in sleep or standby mode, the iPad battery will continue to drain.

Apple recommends that once a month you let the iPad fully discharge & then recharge to 100%.

How to Calibrate Your Mac, iPhone, or iPad Battery

http://www.macblend.com/how-to-calibrate-your-mac-iphone-or-ipad-battery/

At this link http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/galaxy-tab-android-tablet,3014-11.html , tests show that the iPad 2 battery (25 watt-hours) will charge to 90% in 3 hours 1 minute. It will charge to 100% in 4 hours 2 minutes. The new iPad has a larger capacity battery (42 watt-hours), so using the 10W charger will obviously take longer. If you are using your iPad while charging, it will take even longer. It's best to turn your new iPad OFF and charge over night. Also look at The iPad's charging challenge explained http://www.macworld.com/article/1150356/ipadcharging.html

Also, if you have a 3rd generation iPad, look at

Apple: iPad Battery Nothing to Get Charged Up About

http://allthingsd.com/20120327/apple-ipad-battery-nothing-to-get-charged-up-abou t/

Apple Explains New iPad's Continued Charging Beyond 100% Battery Level

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/03/27/apple-explains-new-ipads-continued-charging- beyond-100-battery-level/

New iPad Takes Much Longer to Charge Than iPad 2

http://www.iphonehacks.com/2012/03/new-ipad-takes-much-longer-to-charge-than-ipa d-2.html

Apple Batteries - iPad http://www.apple.com/batteries/ipad.html

Extend iPad Battery Life (Look at pjl123 comment)

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3921324?tstart=30

New iPad Slow to Recharge, Barely Charges During Use

http://www.pcworld.com/article/252326/new_ipad_slow_to_recharge_barely_charges_d uring_use.html

Best Practices for iPad Battery Charging

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/best-practices-for-ipad-batte ry-charging/

Tips About Charging for New iPad 3

http://goodscool-electronics.blogspot.com/2012/04/tips-about-charging-for-new-ip ad-3.html

How to Save and Prolong the battery life of your new ipad

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4480944?tstart=0

Prolong battery lifespan for iPad / iPad 2 / iPad 3: charging tips

http://thehowto.wikidot.com/prolong-battery-lifespan-for-ipad

iPhone, iPod, Using the iPad Charger

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4327

Install and use Battery Doctor HD

http://itunes.apple.com/tw/app/battery-doctor-hd/id459702901?mt=8

To Extend a Device’s Battery Life, Get to Know It Better

http://tinyurl.com/b67c7xz

iPad Battery Replacement

http://www.apple.com/batteries/replacements.html

In rare instances when using the Camera Connection Kit, you may notice that iPad does not charge after using the Camera Connection Kit. Disconnecting and reconnecting the iPad from the charger will resolve this issue.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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Answer 3

Ralph9430

Level 7

21,762 points

Apr 2, 2013 7:34 AM in response to omega888

I wouldn't bother waiting to recharge your iPad until it gets to near zero. Recharge it when it is convenient for you to do so. I usually use my iPad during the day. Sometimes it gets to 45% or so by evening, sometimes it is still way above 60%. Doesn't matter to me. I put it on the charger when I go to bed and its always fully charged and ready to go the next morning.

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