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You are here: Home > Battery Tips
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Battery Tips |
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Battery Tips
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General Battery Usage
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1. Quick Tips - Battery Care Instructions:
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- Your new battery comes in a discharged condition and must be
charged before use (refer to your computer manual for charging instructions).
Upon initial use (or after a prolonged storage period) the battery may require
three to four charge/discharge cycles before achieving maximum capacity.
- When charging the battery for the first time your computer may indicate that
charging is complete after just 10 or 15 minutes. This is a normal phenomenon
with rechargeable batteries. Simply remove the battery from the computer and
repeat the charging procedure.
- It is important to condition (fully discharge and then fully charge) the
battery every two to three weeks. Failure to do so may significantly shorten
the battery's life (this does not apply to Li-Ion batteries, which do not
require conditioning). To discharge, simply run your device under the battery's
power until it shuts down or until you get a low battery warning. Then recharge
the battery as instructed in your user's manual.
- If the battery will not be in use for a month or longer, it is recommended
that it be removed from the device and stored in a cool, dry, clean place.
- It is normal for a battery to become warm during charging and discharging.
- A charged battery will eventually lose its charge if unused. It may therefore
be necessary to recharge the battery after a storage period.
- The milliamp-hour (mAH) rating of the BatteryValues.com battery will often
be higher than the one on your original battery. A higher mAH rating is
indicative of a longer lasting (higher capacity) battery and will not cause any
incompatibilities. An BatteryValues.com battery will, in most cases,
outperform the original by 30% to 50%. o Actual battery run-time depends upon
the power demands made by the equipment. In the case of notebook computers, the
use of the monitor, the hard drive and other peripherals results in an
additional drain upon the battery, effectively reducing the battery's run-time.
The total run-time of the battery is also heavily dependent upon the design of
the equipment. To ensure maximum performance of the battery, optimize your
computer's power management features. Refer to your computer manual for further
instructions.
2. Battery Dont's - Battery Care Instructions:
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- Do not short-circuit. A short-circuit may cause severe damage to the battery.
- Do not drop, hit or otherwise abuse the battery as this may result in the
exposure of the cell contents, which are corrosive.
- Do not expose the battery to moisture or rain.
- Keep battery away from fire or other sources of extreme heat. Do not
incinerate. Exposure of battery to extreme heat may result in an explosion.
3. What Are The Different Types of Rechargeable Battery Chemistries/Technologies?
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Batteries in portable consumer devices (laptops and notebooks, camcorders, cell phones, etc.) are principally made using
either Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) technologies. Each type of rechargeable
battery technology has its own unique characteristics:
- NiCad and NiMH: the main difference between the two is the
fact that NiMH batteries (the newer of the two technologies) offer higher
energy densities than NiCads. In other words, pound for pound, NiMH delivers
approximately 100% more capacity than its NiCad counterpart. What this
translates into is increased run-time from the battery with no additional bulk
to weigh down your portable device. NiMH also offers another major advantage:
NiCad batteries tend to suffer from what is called the "memory effect". NiMH batteries are less prone to
develop this dreaded affliction and thus require less maintenance and care.
NiMH batteries are also more environmentally friendly than their NiCad
counterparts, since they do not contain heavy metals (which present serious landfill problems).
- Li-Ion has quickly become the emerging standard for portable
power in consumer devices. Li-Ion batteries produce the same energy as NiMH
batteries but weigh approximately 35% less. This is crucial in applications
such as camcorders or notebook computers, where the battery makes up a
significant portion of the device's weight. Another reason Li-Ion batteries
have become so popular is that they do not suffer from the memory effect AT
ALL. They are also better for the environment because they don't contain toxic
materials such as Cadmium or Mercury.
4. What is the "Memory Effect" ?
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NiCad batteries, and to a lesser extent NiMH
batteries, suffer from what's called the "memory effect". What this means is
that if a battery is continually only partially discharged before re-charging,
the battery "forgets" that it has the capacity to further discharge all the way
down. To illustrate: If you, on a regular basis, fully charge your battery and
then use only 50% of its capacity before the next recharge, eventually the
battery will become unaware of its extra 50% capacity which has remained
unused. Your battery will remain functional, but only at 50% of its original
capacity. The way to avoid the dreaded "memory effect" is to fully cycle (fully
charge and then fully discharge) your battery at least once every two to three
weeks. Batteries can be discharged by unplugging the device's AC adaptor and
letting the device run on the battery until it ceases to function. This will
insure your battery remains healthy.
5. Is it Possible to Upgrade My Device's Battery to a Newer Chemistry?
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NiCad, NiMH and Li-ion are all fundamentally different from one another and
cannot be substituted unless the device has been pre-configured from the
factory to accept more than one type of rechargeable battery. The difference
between them stems from the fact that each type requires a different charging
pattern to be properly recharged. Therefore, the portable device's charger must
be properly configured to handle a given type of rechargeable battery.
Refer to your owner's manual to find out which rechargeable battery types your
particular device supports, or simply use our search engine to find your
device. It will automatically list all of the battery types supported by your
machine.
6. My New Battery Isn't Charging, What Should I Do?
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New batteries are shipped in a partially discharged condition and must be charged before use.
Rechargeable batteries should be cycled - fully charged and then fully discharged – two to three
times initially to allow them to utilize and display their full capacity. (Note: it is perfectly
normal for a battery to become warm to the touch during charging and discharging). Sometimes your
device's charger will stop charging a new battery before it is fully charged. If this happens, simply
remove the battery from your device and then re-insert it.
7. How Can I Maximize Battery Performance?
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There are several steps you can take to insure that you get maximum performance
from your battery:
Breaking In New Batteries - new batteries come in a discharged condition
and must be fully charged before use. It is recommended that you fully charge
and discharge your new battery two to four times to allow it to reach its
maximum rated capacity.
Preventing the Memory Effect - Keep your battery healthy by fully
charging and then fully discharging it at least once every two to three weeks.
Exceptions to the rule are Li-Ion batteries which do not suffer from the memory
effect.
Keep Your Batteries Clean - It's a good idea to clean dirty battery
contacts with a cotton swab and alcohol. This helps maintain a good connection
between the battery and your portable device.
Exercise Your Battery - Do not leave
your battery dormant for long periods of time. We recommend using the battery
at least once every two to three weeks. If a battery has not been used for a
long period of time, perform the new battery break in procedure described
above.
Battery Storage - If you don't plan on using the battery for a month or
more, we recommend storing it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and
metal objects. NiCad, NiMH and Li-Ion batteries will self-discharge during
storage; remember to break them in before use. Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries
must be kept at full charge during storage. This is usually achieved by using
special trickle chargers. If you do not have a trickle charger, do not attempt
to store SLA batteries for more than three months.
For Notebook Users - To get maximum performance from your battery, fully
optimize the notebook's power management features prior to use. Power
management is a trade off: better power conservation in exchange for lesser
computer performance. The power management system conserves battery power by
setting the processor to run at a slower speed, dimming the screen, spinning
down the hard drive when it's not in use and causing the machine to go into
sleep mode when inactive. Your notebook user's guide will provide information
relating to specific power management features.
8. How Are Batteries Rated? (What Are Volts and Amps?)
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There are two ratings on every battery: volts and amp-hours (AH). The AH rating
may also be given as milliamp-hours (mAH), which are one-thousandth of an
amp-hour (for example, a 1AH battery is 1000mAH). The voltage of the new
battery should always match the voltage of your original. Some of our batteries
will have higher amp-hour ratings than the original battery found in your
device. This is indicative of a longer run-time (higher capacity) and will not
cause any incompatibilities.
9. How Long Do Batteries Last (What is the Life Span of My New Battery)?
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The life of a rechargeable battery operating under normal conditions is
generally between 500 to 800 charge-discharge cycles. This translates into one
and a half to three years of battery life for the average user. As your
rechargeable battery begins to die, you will notice a decline in the running
time of the battery. When your two hour battery is only supplying you with an
hour's worth of use, it's time for a new one.
10. Should I Recycle My Old Battery? How?
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Nicad, NiMH and Li-Ion batteries should be recycled. Be environmentally
conscious - do NOT throw these batteries in the trash.
If you don't know where your local recycling facility is, call the Portable
Rechargeable Battery Association at 1-800-822-8837. They will provide you with
the address of the recycling center nearest to you.
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Laptop and Desktop Computer Batteries
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1. What are Main Batteries?
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The main battery (also called the power battery) is the battery pack which
allows a laptop or notebook to operate independently of an AC power source.
These rechargeable batteries are designed to operate the computer for a certain
amount of time (generally 1 to 4 hours).
2. What are CMOS or Clock Batteries?
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CMOS & Clock Backup batteries perform the same function in desktop and
laptop computers: when the computer is turned off, the battery maintains the
time and date, insuring their accuracy when the system is once again restarted.
More importantly, the battery saves the computer's CMOS set-up configuration,
which allows the system to efficiently re-boot once it is restarted. The
computer knows what type of hard drive it is dealing with, etc. Not
surprisingly, these batteries are known alternatively as CMOS batteries, Real
Time Clock (RTC) batteries, or simply internal batteries.
The most common CMOS battery chemistries are Lithium, Nickel Cadmium (NiCad)
and alkaline. They are usually somewhere in the 3 to 7.2 volt range and either
solder onto the motherboard or simply plug in via a snap-in connector
(depending upon the computer manufacturer's design).
In most cases, replacement of the CMOS battery is an easy task. It is simply a
matter of locating the battery on the computer's motherboard, removing it, and
plugging in a new one. As a rule, internal batteries should be replaced by the
same type of battery which was originally used in the machine, or according to
the manufacturer's power specifications. The major exception to this rule are older
IBM compatible computers which come with a NiCad battery soldered onto the
motherboard. These computers usually have a three or four pin male plug, with
two of the pins connected via a jumper (this is generally found in the same
area of the motherboard as the original battery). This plug gives you the
option of leaving the soldered battery in place and replacing it with a plug-in
type battery. Removing the jumper tells the computer to ignore the battery
soldered onto the motherboard and to look to the pins for its power source.
IMPORTANT NOTE: NiCad batteries are rechargeable, whereas Lithium and alkaline
batteries are NOT. Therefore, Lithium and alkaline batteries must be
replaced by equivalent batteries of the same type. Attempting to replace these
non-rechargeable batteries with a NiCad will result in a non-functioning
battery, due to the fact the computer lacks the proper charging circuitry. If a
motherboard lacks the above-discussed provision for an external battery, the
NiCad battery MUST be unsoldered and replaced by a NiCad battery ONLY.
Attempting to use an alkaline or lithium battery in place of NiCad on such a
board could be hazardous. These batteries are not designed to be recharged, and
an attempt to do so may cause the battery to "burst", or explode.
CMOS batteries generally last for two to three years, although some (especially
the lithium type) have been known to last much longer. Ironically, the less you
use your computer, the faster the CMOS battery will run out. This is because
when your computer is turned off the battery begins to function. It is
recommended to replace the CMOS battery approximately once a year, or when
servicing the computer. If your computer has been idle for an extended length
of time it is a good idea to change the battery. Changing the battery is a
relatively easy and inexpensive task, especially (as I'm sure many of you out
there know) when compared to trying to reconfigure a computer which has lost
its CMOS settings.
3. What are RAM or Resume batteries?
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Some notebook computers are designed with a dedicated battery for backing up
RAM functions when the machine is temporarily shut off. This feature allows
users to change the main battery pack without losing the current applications
and settings residing in RAM (Random Access Memory). This is called a "battery
hot swap" - switching the main battery pack without having to turn off the computer.
These type of batteries are alternately known as bridge batteries, RAM batteries, or resume batteries.
Most RAM batteries are rechargeable NiCad and will last around 2-3 years. It is
recommended that you replace your notebook's RAM battery when replacing the CMOS battery.
4. How Long Will the New Battery Power My Laptop?
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That is difficult to determine. Actual battery running time depends upon the
power demands made by the equipment. The use of the monitor, the hard drive and
other accessories results in an additional drain upon the battery, effectively
reducing its running time. The total running time of the battery is also
dependent upon the design of the equipment. Generally, a new BatteryValues.com
battery will run at least as long (and usually- longer) as your old battery did when it was new.
5. Is it Possible to Upgrade My Device's Battery to a Newer Chemistry?
top of page
NiCad, NiMH and Li-ion are all fundamentally different from one another and
cannot be substituted unless the device has been pre-configured from the
factory to accept more than one type of rechargeable battery. The difference
between them stems from the fact that each type requires a different charging
pattern to be properly recharged. Therefore, the portable device's charger must
be properly configured to handle a given type of rechargeable battery.
Refer to your owner's manual to find out which rechargeable battery types your
particular device supports, or simply use our search engine to find your
device. It will automatically list all of the battery types supported by your machine.
6. What is a "smart" Battery?
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Smart batteries have internal circuit boards with smart chips which allow them
to communicate with the notebook and thus better monitor battery performance,
output voltage and temperature. Smart batteries will generally run 15% longer
due to their increased efficiency and also give the computer much more accurate
"fuel gauge" capabilities to determine how much battery running time is left
before the next recharge is required.
7. How Can I Maximize Battery Performance?
top of page
There are several steps you can take to insure that you get maximum performance from your battery:
Breaking In New Batteries - new batteries come in a discharged condition
and must be fully charged before use. It is recommended that you fully charge
and discharge your new battery two to four times to allow it to reach its
maximum rated capacity.
Preventing the Memory Effect - Keep your battery healthy by fully
charging and then fully discharging it at least once every two to three weeks.
Exceptions to the rule are Li-Ion batteries which do not suffer from the memory
effect.
Keep Your Batteries Clean - It's a good idea to clean dirty battery
contacts with a cotton swab and alcohol. This helps maintain a good connection
between the battery and your portable device.
Exercise Your Battery - Do not leave
your battery dormant for long periods of time. We recommend using the battery
at least once every two to three weeks. If a battery has not been used for a
long period of time, perform the new battery break in procedure described
above.
Battery Storage - If you don't plan on using the battery for a month or
more, we recommend storing it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and
metal objects. NiCad, NiMH and Li-Ion batteries will self-discharge during
storage; remember to break them in before use. Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries
must be kept at full charge during storage. This is usually achieved by using
special trickle chargers. If you do not have a trickle charger, do not attempt
to store SLA batteries for more than three months.
For Notebook Users - To get maximum performance from your battery, fully
optimize the notebook's power management features prior to use. Power
management is a trade off: better power conservation in exchange for lesser
computer performance. The power management system conserves battery power by
setting the processor to run at a slower speed, dimming the screen, spinning
down the hard drive when it's not in use and causing the machine to go into
sleep mode when inactive. Your notebook user's guide will provide information
relating to specific power management features.
8. How Long Do Batteries Last (What is the Life Span of My New Battery)?
top of page
The life of a rechargeable battery operating under normal conditions is
generally between 500 to 800 charge-discharge cycles. This translates into one
and a half to three years of battery life for the average user. As your
rechargeable battery begins to die, you will notice a decline in the running
time of the battery. When your two hour battery is only supplying you with an
hour's worth of use, it's time for a new one.
9. My New Battery Isn't Charging, What Should I Do?
top of page
New batteries are shipped in a partially discharged condition and must be charged before use. Rechargeable
batteries should be cycled - fully charged and then fully discharged – two to three times initially to allow
them to utilize and display their full capacity. (Note: it is perfectly normal for a battery to become warm
to the touch during charging and discharging). Sometimes your device's charger will stop charging a new
battery before it is fully charged. If this happens, simply remove the battery from your device and then
re-insert it.
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And now the disclaimer
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Any statements and data in this file are for general
information purposes. They represent the latest technical status at the time of
publishing. We reserve the right to change the data in this file without prior
notice. The technical information is given in a descriptive way and does not
guarantee any properties or enlarge any warranties given.
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