Would replacing a 3.7v 1000mAh lithium ion battery with a 3.7v 5000mAh lithium ion batter make my projects last longer between charges?
Except in very pathological cases, the replacement will let your project last 5 times as long. Consider: Let's say your project draws 1 amp. By definition, your battery will produce that current for 1 hour. That's what 1000 mAh means - 1000 mA x 1 hour. By the same token, 5000 mAh / 1000 mA gives 5 hours.
Like I say, there are some exceptions, but the general principle is clear.
An example of an exception: Your project heats up (and keeps getting hotter) and just barely survives the one hour duration the first battery produces. With a larger battery, the project catches fire after 2 hours. Like I say, pretty unlikely, but not impossible.
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\$\begingroup\$ So your answer is yes but will a bunch of warning saying be careful? \$\endgroup\$ – user46629 Jul 19 '14 at 1:56
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\$\begingroup\$ My answer is yes, provided you are not doing something really strange. For the general run of things folks do with a 3.7 volt battery, 5 times greater capacity will give you five times longer between charges. \$\endgroup\$ – WhatRoughBeast Jul 19 '14 at 2:16
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\$\begingroup\$ If the project is a siren and you leave it on for five hours straight your neighbour might reshape it with a baseball bat. Another exception for you. \$\endgroup\$ – Vladimir Cravero Jul 19 '14 at 7:28