iRiver H1xx - Determining current battery state_of_charge

[Muse]

When I turn on my H1xx's using Rockbox the current state of charge is shown briefly. For instance, my H130 just showed 3.73v and then briefly said the state of charge was LOW.

I'm wondering if there's a way to find out the state of charge without turning the player off and turning it back on. Since it uses a Lion battery, I always try to not charge it fully because I've been told that the battery degrades far more quickly when topped up. So, I want to know if it has sufficient charge for my next recording but isn't too high.

[saratoga]

I'm wondering if there's a way to find out the state of charge without turning the player off and turning it back on.

Use a WPS with a battery meter?  Or goto the debug screen.

Since it uses a Lion battery, I always try to not charge it fully because I've been told that the battery degrades far more quickly when topped up.

Its actually the opposite.  They degrade faster the deeper you discharge them.  Ideally you want to charge it between uses.

[Llorean]

For storing it, somewhat longer terms without use, it's usually said it should only be partially filled. If you are using it regularly full charges should be fine.

[Muse]

For storing it, somewhat longer terms without use, it's usually said it should only be partially filled. If you are using it regularly full charges should be fine.

So, if I'm using it once a week I should charge it fully even if it won't be used for ~6 days?

[Llorean]

Why not charge it fully the night before you use it? Then if it still has more than 30% or so charge after use, store it at that for the week. Partial charges are fine, and it's actually better not to run it to empty before fully recharging it.

[saratoga]

For storing it, somewhat longer terms without use, it's usually said it should only be partially filled. If you are using it regularly full charges should be fine.

So, if I'm using it once a week I should charge it fully even if it won't be used for ~6 days?

Unless you've not going to use it for months to years, you should charge it between uses.  

[Muse]

So, can I deduce that my habit of charging my cell phone battery (also Li-ion) to less than full isn't necessary as long as I'm going to leave it on? 

[Llorean]

Generally it shouldn't be necessary. In an active device, the heat of discharging (and charging) will be the main concern. It's mostly when you're not using it that you really need to be concerned about the charge level.

In all seriousness though, replacement batteries are cheap and there's nothing you can do (short of putting it in the freezer when you're not using it) that will dramatically extend the lifetime of your battery. They age naturally no matter what.