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General discussion

Best of using Laptop battery

Sep 5, 2004 5:03PM PDT

Hi. Please suggest (for Dell Inspiron 8600 notebook) if the notebook can be allowed to remain connected to power while the battery is fully charged. Does it have any adverse effect on the life of battery. Also suggest ways to maximise the life of the battery.

Discussion is locked

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Re: Best of using Laptop battery
Sep 5, 2004 11:40PM PDT

Over 10 years ago, the notebook designs changed so you can leave the battery in the laptop and run off the AC line without any impact on the battery's 18 to 24 month life.

To maximise the life of the battery, don't subject it to excessive temperatures. Below freezing is deadly to some Lithium batteries and too hot (about 80C) is bad too.

Hope this helps,

Bob

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Re: Best of using Laptop battery
Sep 6, 2004 5:54AM PDT

You should run down and recharge the lithium battery at least once or twice a week probabably but you don't have the memory problems of the old ni-cad batteries.

So, leave it in when using A/C and that is ok but run and recharge the lithium battery regularly (don't leave at full charge or no charge all the time).

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Re: Best of using Laptop battery
Sep 6, 2004 9:28AM PDT

With my Sony that I leave on 24/7 it does get very hot.Like really hot. So if my 1 1/2 year old battery is on it's last legs, how do I prolong my next battery I invest in? Hibernate when you leave your desk? Turn it off every night? And someone mentioned to run your lithium down periodically. Any other ideas? Should I purchase the Sony replaCEMENT FROM sONY OR IS THERE A GENERIC JUST AS GOOD? wHERE WOULD i GO TO PURCHASE ON LINE?

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That's a SIGN!
Sep 6, 2004 9:49AM PDT

If your machine is "off" and the battery is HOT, then you have a defective product or design. We have dozens of Dells, IBMs, Toshibas, Acers, others and all just warm up as the battery charges or is used, but if we leave the unit off on the desk, the battery takes its charge and then the charger stops and the unit is very cool in the morning.

It is possible just the battery is defective or has a shorted cell.

DOUBLE DANGER!!! If a cell has failed, the charger will keep trying to charge the failed battery and the danger is that battery will totally short out and fry the charging circuits.

If you don't take action soon, the unit may just do the wipe out and you'll harbor some resentment to this brand name.

Replacement batteries are available from Sony and a few other names.

Bob

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Re: That's a SIGN!
Sep 6, 2004 10:10AM PDT

No Bob, it's hot when it is on and plugged in to a socket. I am using the battery to drain it completely to check if that will help. It says there is an hour left, but I know that means it has about 20 min. at 100% it should have been 3 hours but it showed one hour left after 15 minites.
It is not hot now on the battery, only while using electricity. So you think leaving it on 24/7 is okay even though it is hot OR SHUTTING DOWN AT NIGHT AND HIBERNATING WHEN i LEAVE MY DESK?
I hope it is not defective, but i WILL SEE IF IT WILL GIVE ME ANOTHER 6 MONTHS EVEN THOUGH IT WILL NOT GIVE ME 3 HOURS ON THE BEACH.

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It's not coming back.
Sep 6, 2004 10:18AM PDT

Your writings are typical for the 18 to 24 month old battery. Batteries do warm up under use or charging.

Do as you like, but your writings are just like a few hundred I've heard over the past decade plus.

Bob

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Re: Best of using Laptop battery
Sep 6, 2004 9:09AM PDT

I too have an issue with my Sony PCG SRX99 notebook battery life. I have had it for 1 1/2 years. I don't use the battery much, but keep my computer on 24/7 without hibernating. Presently my 3 hour battery poops out after 30 minutes. Do these batteries have a life expectancy? and how do you care for making sure you extend your battery life.

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That's about right.
Sep 6, 2004 9:15AM PDT

The iPod has a similar lifespan. It's the same technology. It's a chemical lifespan issue. I note that batteries last about 18 to 24 months. Then you replace them.

Nothing seems to do anything to push that up significantly.

Bob