A few factors that influence the lipo battery lifespan

Is it necessary to activate the new Lipo battery?

For sure. Actually, the activation is processed by the factory, and the users are not capable of activating it. The real process for activating is as follows: filling the electrolyte, seal, formation, charging at constant voltage, discharging (for several cycles). Then, the electrode is fully immersed with the electrolyte until the capacity has reached the standard. That is the process for activating batteries-capacity grading. That is to say, when the lipo battery is sent to the consumers, it has been activated. Besides, some of the activations should be processed in an open status, and the RC car batteries lipo are sealed after activation. How to activate the car batteries on your own unless you have the equipment for producing cells.

Why are the fully charging and discharging recommended for the first three times?

In fact, there should be a few days or months to deliver the battery from factory to the users, so the cell material would be blunt. At this time, the capacity is below the normal value, and service time will be shortened. However, the lipo-battery is easy to activate. Only by cycling the power for three to five times could the capacity be restored to normal value. According to its characteristic, the lipo-battery does not have the memory, so no special measures or devices should be used to activation.

Charging for long time is dangerous

Charging for long time could result in overcharging. After fully-charged, the battery will stop charging. And, the charger for nickel battery would not charge for 10 or more hours like the "stream". In other words, there is no use to connect the fully-charged battery with the charger.

Lifespan and factors

lipo battery could be charged and discharged for 300-500 times,such as Gens ace 7.4v lipo battery. It is better to partially discharge the lipo battery rather than fully discharge. Once the battery is off the production line, the lifespan for battery begins to count down, no matter whether you use it or not. The increase of internal resistance, caused by the oxidation, gives rise to the decline of the capacity. Finally, the electrolyzer will reach a point that though the batteries are fully charged, it cannot release the power.

Factor #1# the depth of discharging and the times of charging

The available times of charging* the depth of discharging=times of total charging period. The more available times of total charging period, the more lifespan the battery has. That is, the available times of charging *depth of discharging=actual battery lifespan (ignore other factors) The more deeply the battery discharges, the less available times of charging.

Factor #2# over-charging, over-discharging and the large current

It should be prohibited to over charge the battery, any forms of over charging will result in the damage even explosion.

Factor #3# extreme hot or cold condition

The temperature exerts great influence on the lifespan of lipo-battery. The condition under freezing point could burn up the electronic devices immediately. And, the high temperature will reduce the batteries' capacity.

Factor #4#being fully-charged or no power for long time

Both low and high battery would negatively influence the lipo battery. The times of charging symbolized on the signal of electrical devices or battery are tested under the 80% power. Low battery or no energy will increase the resistance of the internal battery, so reduce the capacity of battery. The best condition of lipo-battery is the middle capacity, and it will reach the longest lifespan.
Source:http://www.genstattu.com/blog/a-few-factors-that-influence-the-lipo-battery-lifespan/