I'm no battery expert but the answer seems to be that there is no problem recharging a partially discharged battery. Here's a link to a site with what appears to be reliable battery information..

Http://www.batteryuniversity.com/index.htmPatrick T. KellyOaxaca, Mexico..

Pixelicus Major wrote:.

Does recharging a lithium ion battery before it is fully depletedimpair it's ability to hold a full charge? If one is travelling withonly one battery, I don't see another option than to "top it up' atthe end of each day..

Quite the opposite in fact. It is best to 'top-up' the charge to maintain the cells in good condition. If storing Li-ion cells for any extended period of time try to do so with approximately 40-50% charge, never fully charged or discharged..

Hope this helps,.

GordonGordon SolomonAssistant technical writer, dpreview.com..

Ideally one should always store partly charged and never let them go below say 20% better still 40%.

An always fully charged battery will have a shorter life than one that is most of the time half empty. Equally keeping a battery very empty may shorten it's life to the point of being terminal if left for extended periods like that (They should cut out with some charge left but that charge will dwindle to a point where the battery cannot be retrieved over time).

Best advice is to have two (or more) and charge only the most discharged one shortly before your next shoot then use that one first knowing you have a 50% charged or whatever battery as backup..

There is one rider. Intelilgent batteries like those on the Nikon D80 will lose their internal clock and fail to give an accurate indication of the charge remaining if you follow a routine of 40%-100% or the like. Once every 30 charges or so it is best to completely discharge the battery to reset the internal clock. That will do no real harm if you recharge fairly promptly. (Leaving the LCD permanently on would be a good way to drain the battery)Chris Elliott.

*Nikon* D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile.

Http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/..

I think a half empty one will perform better than a half full one if charged before it reaches either state.Jules.

Black moles do not destroy information...

You are either a rocket scientist or a philosopher..

JulesJ wrote:.

I think a half empty one will perform better than a half full oneif charged before it reaches either state.Jules.

Black moles do not destroy information..

JonathanF..

Thanks to all of you for your valuable advice. I have two batteries on order, but in the meantime I can rest assured knowing that charging my exisiting one at the end of each day is actually the preferred treatment..

That "Battery University" site is worth bookmarking.....