{adopted from a Kim Komando article}
If you have a Lithium-ion battery.
Li-ion batteries don't have a memory effect. It's better if you charge them well before depletion. It will actually extend the battery's lifespan.However, many models have a built-in battery meter. This communicates the battery's charge to whatever gadget it's in.
This battery meter does need to be calibrated occasionally; otherwise it starts reporting less battery power than there actually is. The way to calibrate the meter is to deplete the battery. Just keep your gadget unplugged for a while. Let the battery run down to empty. Then plug it in as normal.That will re-calibrate the meter. You should only need to do this once a month. Other than that, charge the battery whenever you want.
If you have a Nickel-cadmium battery
These batteries do have a memory effect: if you charge before depletion, your battery's behavior will be erratic. Don't recharge Ni-Cad too frequently; this will decrease the battery's efficiency.
A word of caution: don't let the battery get totally empty. Plug it in before it gets to zero percent or the gadget turns off. Over-draining the battery can cause damage and shorten the battery's lifespan. Also, under no circumstances short the battery. That's when you use wire to bridge the battery connectors. It causes a very quick power discharge.
Some people do this for NiCad batteries to reverse the memory effect. With Li-ion, you can seriously damage the battery and shorten its lifespan. It could even start a fire.
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