1. A method for extending the service life of a portable device, comprising: monitoring a battery of a portable device, said battery comprising at least two battery banks and at least one spare bank; identifying a problem bank; reconfiguring a connection schema for the battery to replace the problem battery bank with the at least one spare bank; conditioning or exercising the problem bank; connecting the portable device to a power supply to recharge the problem bank; and reconnecting the recharged or repaired bank according to the connection schema without the at least one spare bank, wherein continued use of the portable device occurs during the conditioning, while maintaining a total charge of the battery.