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Laptop Battery
Topic Started: Jul 8 2013, 02:17 AM (500 Views)
Trotsky
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Big City Boy
When we got our new laptop I researched some clues on how to deal with getting a good long life out of the battery.

The consensus was that a NEW Lithium-ion battery should be run down completely several times. Some said to <10%, some said <5%,
so that's what we have been doing.

Now after about 30 discharges, should we keep up the cycling, or not worry and tend more towards keeping it near full charge?

Opinions?
Edited by Trotsky, Jul 9 2013, 01:04 AM.
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wildie
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Trotsky
Jul 8 2013, 02:17 AM
When we got our new laptop I researched some clues on how to deal with getting a good long life out of the battery.

The consensus was that a NEW Lithium-ion battery should be run down completely several times. Some said to <10%, some said>5%,
so that's what we have been doing.

Now after about 30 discharges, should we keep up the cycling, or not worry and tend more towards keeping it near full charge?

Opinions?
My HP laptop is almost 5 years old. I just leave it plugged in and charging and the battery appears to be normal. I have never made any effort to discharge it, and all seems to be normal.
I know a computer technician that removes his charged battery from the computer and stores it in the refrigerator. There seems to be no consensus about what is the best course of action.
Its my opinion that the battery will last as long as the laptop is useful. 3 years? Keep in mind that the computer can be used without the battery, so unless mobility is an absolute necessity, why worry about it!
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campy
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Handyman Extraordinaire
Letting it run down means you recycle it less times when you recharge because you are using it longer.

However, there is doubt in my mind that modern batteries have a 'memory' that means it will last longer if you let it discharge completely.

My research shows you don't have to do that with certain rechargeable batteries.

Voltage Depression occurs primarily in NiCad batteries. NiMH batteries are almost never affected and Li-Ion batteries are NEVER affected.


http://www.zbattery.com/memoryeffect-pf.html

I found it's just not worth the extra effort to do deep discharge and I have also read that deep discharge can damage a battery.

Edited by campy, Jul 8 2013, 04:06 AM.
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Daniel
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You can see there are two schools of thought here. One is to run on battery power often and the other is to keep it plugged in.

The battery-power proponents argue that keeping it plugged-in means there's stale energy in the battery.

The plugged-in proponents argue you are not wearing the battery down.

It's the old kayak vs canoe, ski vs snow board, VHS vs Beta, and four snow tires vs two debate.
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campy
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Daniel
Jul 8 2013, 04:16 AM
You can see there are two schools of thought here. One is to run on battery power often and the other is to keep it plugged in.

The battery-power proponents argue that keeping it plugged-in means there's stale energy in the battery.

The plugged-in proponents argue you are not wearing the battery down.

It's the old kayak vs canoe, ski vs snow board, VHS vs Beta, and four snow tires vs two debate.
Daniel. Is it really worth the effort to fool around with the battery charging thing compared to the cost of a new battery if the old one fails eventually?
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Daniel
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campy
Jul 8 2013, 04:26 AM
Daniel. Is it really worth the effort to fool around with the battery charging thing compared to the cost of a new battery if the old one fails eventually?
Probably not. That's why we'll never know the real answer because it's not worth the time to test it.

You know those garbage baskets you install under your kitchen sink? Over forty years the design is still the same. And they fail the same way everytime. That's because it's not worth anybody's time to complain about it because they are so cheap. And since nobody complains, the manufacturer never invests the resources to improve on it since they sell just as well with the flaw.
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Dialtone
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My HP laptop is about 6 years old, it has the original battery and it now only that lasts about 15 minutes fully charged. HP recommends setting up a battery discharge cycle through the power options, so I discharged mine down to about 3% every 3 months. Bottom line even with discharging, I now need a new battery, but I leave it plugged in all the time anyway, so won't spent the money for a new battery.
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campy
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Dialtone
Jul 8 2013, 10:51 AM
My HP laptop is about 6 years old, it has the original battery and it now only that lasts about 15 minutes fully charged. HP recommends setting up a battery discharge cycle through the power options, so I discharged mine down to about 3% every 3 months. Bottom line even with discharging, I now need a new battery, but I leave it plugged in all the time anyway, so won't spent the money for a new battery.
Yes I have an old laptop Toshiba.

I didn't bother replacing the battery and use it on plug in power. Too ancient to worry about. So I guess when the battery finally dies it's time to replace the laptop anyway.

I read somewhere that you can rejuvenate a rechargeable battery by putting it in the freezer.

Haven't experimented with that yet.

Edited by campy, Jul 8 2013, 12:01 PM.
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Trotsky
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Big City Boy
Until we got the new Dell for DP, a friend had lent us his laptop with a dead battery. It ran fine on the charger but would not even show a power light for a single second when disconnected from the AC. I had no idea that batteries could ever get THAT dead. (I should have measured the battery voltage before we gave it back.)

I guess it's all moot though because in NYC, walking around with a laptop or an i-pad says, "C'mon guys, I need a quick mugging." So a wise laptop is one that stays home.


Quote:
 
Its my opinion that the battery will last as long as the laptop is useful. 3 years?

How different we are. I got 11 years from my last Dell desktop so that is my standard of excellence. I guess I would settle for 10. :rules:
Edited by Trotsky, Jul 9 2013, 01:19 AM.
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wildie
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Trotsky
Jul 9 2013, 01:15 AM
Until we got the new Dell for DP, a friend had lent us his laptop with a dead battery. It ran fine on the charger but would not even show a power light for a single second when disconnected from the AC. I had no idea that batteries could ever get THAT dead. (I should have measured the battery voltage before we gave it back.)

I guess it's all moot though because in NYC, walking around with a laptop or an i-pad says, "C'mon guys, I need a quick mugging." So a wise laptop is one that stays home.


Quote:
 
Its my opinion that the battery will last as long as the laptop is useful. 3 years?

How different we are. I got 11 years from my last Dell desktop so that is my standard of excellence. I guess I would settle for 10. :rules:
biggrin 04 The computer manufacturers are doing their utmost to keep the public buying their product. Obsolescence is the buzz word!
Edited by wildie, Jul 9 2013, 04:37 AM.
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Trotsky
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Big City Boy
wildie
Jul 9 2013, 04:35 AM
Trotsky
Jul 9 2013, 01:15 AM


Quoting limited to 2 levels deep
biggrin 04 The computer manufacturers are doing their utmost to keep the public buying their product. Obsolescence is the buzz word!
They think they are operating on the 1960 Oldsmobile sales model.

(Sorry wildie, I accidentally hit REPORT instead of edit, so don't answer the door for a while...it may be the internet police.)
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wildie
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Trotsky
Jul 9 2013, 05:14 AM
wildie
Jul 9 2013, 04:35 AM

Quoting limited to 2 levels deep
They think they are operating on the 1960 Oldsmobile sales model.

(Sorry wildie, I accidentally hit REPORT instead of edit, so don't answer the door for a while...it may be the internet police.)
Will the Inet police provide free room and board? I seem to be using up more and more of my pension on necessities, which curtails my alcohol consumption!
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ocali
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My laptop battery died a long time ago. So, I keep it plugged in 24/7. Should I try the freezer 'treatment'?
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campy
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ocali
Jul 9 2013, 07:54 AM
My laptop battery died a long time ago. So, I keep it plugged in 24/7. Should I try the freezer 'treatment'?
You hve nothing to lose by trying the freezer treatment.

Let us know how it works out.

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Daniel
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This site says a typical laptop is rated at 65-75watts.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081004110846AAvVmDb

So human power generation would be possible.
http://pedalpowergenerator.com/buy-bicycle-generator-assembled-pm-motor-pedal-power.htm

Even though these things appear expensive, imagine the health benefits without even joining a gym.
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