The Scariest Myths About Electronic Devices – Halloween 2024

The scariest night of the year is approaching, when monsters and ghosts take to the streets, and only sweets can end their mischief (just like people, it’s their weakness). It’s also a night when, under the full moon, you can hear the darkest legends. For Halloween, we’ll tell you some terrifying stories circulating about electronic devices. Are they true? Find out for yourself – just don’t get too scared!

The Frankenstein Battery – Can You Revive a Dead Battery?

Among electronics users, tales are told of the so-called Frankenstein Battery. Supposedly, it was brought back to life by a scientist’s unique technique – he revived the dead cells in a battery, partly by replacing the cells. It’s also said he froze some batteries for 12 hours, which brought them back to life.

In reality, battery reconditioning is neither safe nor effective. Batteries contain EEPROM memory, which records the capacity of damaged cells. Even with a “Frankenstein technique” of cell replacement,the battery won’t recognize the new cell capacities. Freezing a battery can even damage its internal components. So, the safest, simplest, and most cost-effective solution is a full battery replacement in your laptop.

The Immortal Battery – Can It Last Forever?

Some claim that batteries, like vampires, can live forever – if only a few harmful factors are avoided. In this case, the sun can be deadly – for both vampires and batteries. But can a battery truly last beyond Halloween?

Battery life depends on several factors, such as battery type (e.g., AGM, LiFePO), application (e.g., cyclic or standby use), and usage conditions (exposure to extreme temperatures, for instance). So, how long does a battery last? Typically, the average battery lifespan is 4 to 6 years, but for instance, the Greencell Cube LiFePO4battery can last for over 10 years without issues. Following proper usage practices and caring for the battery can extend its life – but it won’t be eternal.

The Curse of the Fast Charger – Does Fast Charging Damage Your Battery?

Not just during Halloween but all year long, a terrifying legend floats around about the “fast charger curse,” which allegedly drains the life out of devices’ batteries. Victims are often smartphones, frequently exposed to this so-called “bloodthirsty” Quick Charge function.

Fortunately, the “fast charger curse” is merely a myth. It’s not fast charging but high temperatures that can damage a device’s battery. Devices with this function have temperature sensors to cut off power automatically if temperatures rise to dangerous levels. Fast chargers also include similar safeguards. So, you can safely use a fast charger even with devices that don’t have fast charging capability. While your smartphone will charge at the usual rate, the high power won’t harm the battery.

See also…
Is fast charge bad for batteries? What do you need to know about this function?

The Zombie Power Bank – Does an Unused One Lose Power?

A popular Halloween story also involves the mythical zombie power bank. Allegedly, over time, when it goes unused, it drastically loses energy, becoming a “living dead.”

The only thing a zombie power bank shares with zombies is its pace – more precisely, the pace of self-discharge. While it’s true that power banks gradually lose charge when unused, the rate of energy loss is minimal and often unnoticeable, between 2% to 5% per month. Higher-quality power banks also include special electronics to minimize self-discharge. Additionally, keeping your power bank charged at around 50-60% helps reduce accelerated self-discharge.

The Scarily Short Range – Are Electric Cars Suitable for Long Trips?

To wrap up, here’s the scariest of all legends, one that likely gave many of you chills. An electric car that went on a long journey ran out of power after just a few dozen kilometers, leaving its owner to struggle for survival in a dark forest full of monsters. Luckily, this Halloween legend is just a myth.

The myth about the limited range of electric vehicles still lives on, even though modern EVs have proven themselves capable of long international trips for years now. Electric vehicles can achieve ranges of up to 600 km on a single charge. Moreover, charging stations (especially DC fast-charging ones) are far more common abroad than in Poland. This makes planning a route with charging stops straightforward, so even on Halloween, you won’t be forced into a real-life horror story in a dark forest.

Summary

Around many electronic devices and technologies, myths have developed that, fortunately, often don’t hold up to the truth. Treat yourself or your loved ones to a spookily delightful gift this Halloween by shopping at Battery Empire!