Common Battery Myths, Cleared Up - A Plain-English Guide
Last verified: September 2026
The tired old battery myths, busted gently — what was true once, what's true now, and the few honest habits that replace them. Not sure which advice to trust? My number is (330) 200-8042.
Old Battery Advice, Set Straight
A lot of what folks 'know' about batteries was true once, for a different kind of battery, and quietly stopped being true years ago. This guide clears up the big myths — you don't have to drain a battery first, clean concrete won't drain it, not all lithium catches fire (the LFP kind is very stable), more amp-hours only wins at the same voltage, a quality charger can stay plugged in, and no battery lasts forever — and it does it kindly, with no eye-rolling. There's a printable 29-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 Do I really have to drain a battery before recharging it?
No — that's the oldest myth. It came from an old nickel chemistry that's mostly gone. Modern lithium prefers partial top-ups, and lead-acid dislikes deep draining, so topping up early is kinder to both.
2 Will storing a battery on concrete drain it?
No. A modern battery on a clean, dry surface is fine — concrete doesn't drain it. The only real issue is damp concrete causing corrosion, so a board or shelf is still a smart idea.
3 Aren't all lithium batteries a fire risk?
No. The scary stories usually involve a more energy-dense lithium that was damaged or poorly made. The LiFePO4 (LFP) kind in most modern gear is far more stable — safe when it's quality gear used correctly.
4 Does more amp-hours always mean more energy?
Only at the same voltage. Amp-hours alone can mislead across different voltages, so compare watt-hours — the true measure of stored energy — to be fair.
5 Is it bad to leave a battery plugged in?
It depends on the charger. A quality charger or maintainer floats when full and can stay on. A cheap, 'dumb' charger left on and forgotten is the one that can overcharge and do harm.
6 How long will a battery last?
No battery lasts forever — they wear with use and age, and losing some capacity is normal. I won't quote a number; that belongs to the product's warranty. Good habits, though, stretch any battery's life.
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