How do you maximize the life of a Li ion battery?

The battery prefers a partial rather than a full discharge. Frequent full discharges should be avoided when possible. Instead, charge the battery more often or use a larger battery. There is no concern of memory when applying unscheduled charges.

A lithium-ion battery in use typically lasts between 2-3 years.

The worst condition is keeping a fully charged battery at elevated temperatures, which is the case with running laptop batteries. If used on main power, the battery inside a laptop will only last for 12-18 months. I must hasten to explain that the pack does not die suddenly but begins with reduced run-times.

If possible, store the battery in a cool place at about a 40% state-of-charge. Some reserve charge is needed to keep the battery and its protection circuit operational during prolonged storage. Avoid keeping the battery at full charge and high temperature. This is the case when placing a cell phone or spare battery in a hot car. Running a laptop computer on the mains has a similar temperature problem.

Removing the battery from the laptop when running on fixed power protects the battery from heat.

So other good tips:

1. Avoid frequent full discharges because this puts additional strain on the battery. Several partial discharges with frequent recharges are better for lithium-ion than one deep one. Recharging a partially charged lithium-ion does not cause harm because there is no memory. (In this respect, lithium-ion differs from nickel-based batteries.) Short battery life in a laptop is mainly cause by heat rather than charge / discharge patterns.

2. Batteries with fuel gauge (laptops) should be calibrated by applying a deliberate full discharge once every 30 charges. Running the pack down in the equipment does this. If ignored, the fuel gauge will become increasingly less accurate and in some cases cut off the device prematurely.

3. Keep the lithium-ion battery cool. Avoid a hot car. For prolonged storage, keep the battery at a 40% charge level.

4. Consider removing the battery from a laptop when running on fixed power. (Some laptop manufacturers are concerned about dust and moisture accumulating inside the battery casing.)

5. Avoid purchasing spare lithium-ion batteries for later use. Observe manufacturing dates. Do not buy old stock, even if sold at clearance prices.

6. If you have a spare lithium-ion battery, use one to the fullest and keep the other cool by placing it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze the battery. For best results, store the battery at 40% state-of-charge.

Deep Cycle Lithium Ion Battery

Lithium Ion batteries do not do well as deep-cycle batteries (full discharge and full recharge) they do much better when used only a little bit and then recharged. They should be stored in a cooler environment (not freezing) at 40% capacity for optimal battery life. (EG- discharge to 40% and place in the refrigerator)

Check the source below that contains a handy list of facts at the bottom. I have found this site to be very reliable. It also contains information on other types of batteries.

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Most, but not all, rechargeable batteries are known as 'deep cycle' batteries. That means you should always allow them to discharge as much as possible prior to recharging. The chemical make-up of rechargeable batteries gives them the property of what is known as 'battery charge memory'. What that means is that if you don't let the battery completely discharge, when you do recharge it, it will run low, or need recharging at the point that it was last charged.

Example: If you have a 12 volt battery and you wreckage it when it's down to 5 volts, then when it runs low, it will need recharge when it is at 5 volts, instead of let's say 2.5 which is what the manufacturer recommends.

Now there are two schools of thought on this battery memory stuff. One says it's a bunch of garbage, others say it does exist and is a function of the chemical make-up. I lean toward the second school of thought.