When I run my battery down once a week or so should I run it out to 0?

It is not advisable to deplete Lithium based batteries to such low levels.

No. Lithium ion batteries last longer if they are kept charged. If you're running the battery down simply because you use it, that's fine. However, there's no reason to run it down just to run it down.

I am going to issue my own understanding about lithium battery technolgy.

I am of the understanding that it is not best to consistently drain the battery completely down as this will shorten a lithium ion battery's long term life.

That stated, I do not let my iDevices drain down once a week. I think doing this 52 times a year is too often to drain down and charge up a lithium ion battery.

I have, consistently, only completely drain my iDevice batteries down to zero and charge back up from zero to 100% charge only once a month (I let all my devices run down over the last weekend of the month).

The batteries in my 4 and 5 year old iPad 2 and iPad 3 are still charging and draining properly by following this practice.

The batteries get drained to zero less often and extends the long term life of a lithium ion battery.

I feel 12 times a year for a complete battery drain to zero is plenty. That's 48 to 60 full charge cycles over a five year life of the iDevice.

If anyone feels that I am power cycling draining/charging too few times, than maybe drain your iDevices every two weeks, then.

That is only 21 power cycle drain/charges a year. Still far better for the life of the lithium ion battery.

I just feel 52 full power cycle drains/charges a year is just too many a year to be doing to your iDevices.

Completely my own opinion and practices that have worked for me.

Your mileage may vary.

🙂

I Have a 4 year old iPad 2 where I drained it down to zero maybe twice. The rest of the time, I just charged it when it was low. Which ended up being 3-4 times a week....I'd use the rule of thumb 'do I have enough battery to last tomorrow?' As my guide

I've handed the iPad down to my mom who uses it to play games and I think maybe changes it 2-3 times a week....and even when I was still using it I'd get between 6-10 hours out of the charge - depending on what I was doing'

Going by my experience, I don't really buy into the 'regularly run it down to nothing' frame of mind. I use mine until the charge gets low and then charge it overnight. I've taken up playing a couple of games so I'm probably charging my mini 4 or 5 nights a week - and it's usual at 20 - 40 % left when I put it on the charger.