Li polymer batteries don't overcharge, they cut off, so after a point it's doing nothing, they already come primed....
I do not believe the overcharge gives any benifit, as far as I'm concerned, it may even damage the new battery, I would not advise overcharging unless I saw some real evidence the support the claims....
@OF , if you are certain that the initial overcharge is benificial and not detrimental, please can you provide some proof to clear this up....
I feel it's wrong to keep advising new solo owners to overcharge thier new batteries without some evidence that they are not going to be harming the battery...
Didn't you just tell us that damage can't happen because "Li polymer batteries don't overcharge, they cut off"? I think you're right. The advice can't really hurt them outright since lots of folks leave such gear plugged in 24/7 so 'it's fully charged and ready to go'? This is, of course, bad in the long term since it means the battery is constantly at 100% charge, but the fact it's been 'on charge' for days and days is not fatal.
Charging doesn't actually completely stop, there is a small 'search current' going on so the unit can sense there's a battery to charge. This current is small in the units I've measured, but it is real and the rright polarity. The point is the battery doesn't actually 'disconnect' when fully charged. This allows you to fully form the last few percent of available capacity (I forget which pole runs out of chemicals first). The first heavy discharge, even a brief one, can 'seal off' that bit forever so this only works on the initial charge. Lots of good information at Battery University, you might start there?
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries
Several of the makers offer good information as well.
"Overcharging" is perhaps a misnomer, more from the owner's POV than the battery's, but it gets the idea across to folks who wish to take advantage of it. Same as the advice to end charging early, say at 90% not 100% (doubles battery lifespan), yours to use or blow off as you wish.
Even laptop manufacturer recommend a full charge the first time. I think there is some confusion between single cells and in our case 2 or more cells.
Exactly so, as do at least a few vapes. Honest, I didn't tell them to do it. Ironically it's to the makers advantage not to say it since that means you'll be back for another that much sooner? I'm sure none of them are doing that, of course. But they could have reduced the battery life (stopping charging earlier) if the Sales guys would let them (can you hear the screaming, 'you want to LOWER battery capacity????'.
Some products, like some laptops and cell phones also need a full charge to calibrate the 'battery meter'. That is it sets the 'full charge' indication on the little icon by the highest battery level it's ever seen. AFAIK no vape does that. This only effects the indication, IMO the driving force behind that advice is best possible battery usage.
I personally follow, and recommend, the 'overcharge the first time only' technique for those reasons. Your unit, your call. Likewise 'disconnect it early when charging, when the last light lights but the charge LED is still flashing, when you can'.
In a way it's 'Chicken Soup advice', "can't hurt, might help"?
Regards to all.
OF