"Breaking In" A Battery

I just received a new extended battery for my Inspiron 1720 (it's 7800mAH @ 11.1V)

I received instructions with the battery saying that I should leave it to charge overnight with the laptop powered off, and then discharge it completely, and repeat 3 times.

However, I thought this wasn't necessary with Lithium batteries?

I also pressed the power button on the battery, and 4 of the 5 lights lit up, so if I was to charge it with the laptop powered off, I'm assuming it wouldn't need to be overnight?

Cheers,
-Sam

 

you're overlooking this.

just put it in and start working normally. Eventually the first one-two cycles it might not hold as long but will fix itself afterwards, just like new cellphone.

if you still need to break in it, use screw driver, hammer, or pliers as needed

 

I agree with miro_gt, forget about breaking it in. It will unnecessarily increase the wear on the battery.

 

Try to actually deep discharge a Li-ion (Poly) - sometimes called Li-Poly, sometimes missidentified as a general Li-ion - and you will kill its cells. Luckily, the battery cuts off before it is actually fully depleted, though it's still liable to slowly drain from there.

 

+1 Don't "Break it in." The Lithium Chemistry makes no difference between the first charge or the 50th. Just throw it in and use it.