RED brick good for how many charge cycles?

[Jean Déraps]

I did a search but couldn't find this info.

I'd like to know about how many charges cycles a RED brick is good for before it's dead. I'm just curious for a ball park figure (100? 1000? 10E7?)

Thanks

Jean

 

[Cüneyt Kaya]

around 300

 

[sander kamp]

I remember around 500?

 

[Andrew J.]

Most Li-Ion batteries including Red's are using older technology which is estimated at 500 cycles MTBF. Most Li-Ion batteries don't go to a fixed cycle and then say I quit, they slowly degrade in time becoming less effective in the total amount of amps they can hold/load.

Some bricks if treated well will last 5+ years with hundreds of cycles, some won't last over 50 cycles if you don't know how to treat them.

Some of the newer battery technology of LFP+ is over 2000 cycles MTBF in some tests, LFP is used in many space applications on a other note.

 

[Jean Déraps]

Thanks for your input. Andrew J., what would one do to "treat a battery well"? to optimize it's longevity?

 

[Andrew J.]

This should help optimize the life of most Li-ion batteries but remember batteries always degrade in time.

►Don't drop a battery.

►Don't drop a battery into liquid.

►Don't use a battery in high humidity/rain.

►Don't short circuit batteries.

►Don't allow a battery to be used in direct sunlight for long periods of time without covering them with a velcro soft wrap. (Get a couple for your camera and maybe one for yourself)

►Don't leave your batteries in a vehicle mid-day in direct sunlight, even in the trunk batteries can get extremely hot.

►Always transport/store batteries in a Pelican case (dividers work nicely), using the case for batteries only would be ideal but I often include the charger and appropriate cable, never store batteries with other expensive equipment (camera, lcd's, etc.).

►Charge batteries in a cool dry place, Li-Ion batteries increase in temperature when charging, if you have been shooting outdoors and the battery is hot wait a brief amount of time before placing the battery on the charger.

Manufacturers tell you how to store the batteries including Red
"Store the battery in a dry place, protected from the elements, at normal temperatures
ideally below 25˚C (storage range: -20˚C - +50˚C). For safety, fully discharge the battery
for prolonged periods of non-use."

I for one would never fully discharge a Li-Ion battery for storage, I have always stored Li-Ion batteries by doing the following, discharge to 20% then charge to 90% then after 30 days, discharge and recharge to 90%, most manufacturers say to not store the battery at near full capacity.

I most likely forgot a few things but a good rule is don't subject any camera equipment to abuse/misuse is a good rule to follow, batteries are ultimately consumable and will require replacement after a period of time.