Li-ion Battery life?

Does anyone know the best way to treat a li-ion battery so that it stays strong longer?

Usually I use my 3201xci until the battery is almost dead at work and then use mains power from home. The cycle is repeated over. Is this bad for the battery? I vaguely remember reading somewhere that it isn't good to let a laptop battery run low. Any ideas?

 

Typically a li-ion battery should be topped off whenever possible. Ni-MH batteries are the ones where you have to let it fully discharge as it is subjected to the memory effect.

 

macuis is correct. the Li-Ion battery is resistant to any type of charge pattern so it just doesn't matter. The average life for such a battery is 2-3 years. Even if you never use the thing battery life will begin to deteoriate after 3 years, so might as well use it.

 

agreed with previous opinions.
Simple rule is: Do not let your battery be discharged less than 5%
Also all Li ions espected to have around 300 cycles of charge/discharge but if charge does not drop less than ~50% this does not count. So you can extend a bit life of the battery keeping it charged (i.e. in the laptop) all the time. Again, statisticaly whatever you do 2 years top for the Li-Ion battery. So, less attention you pay to it longer it lives.

 

Here are some useful sites on battery care:

http://www.batterymart.com/battery_faq.php
http://www.batterytech.com/faqs.asp
http://www.batteryweb.com/faqbw.cfm
http://www.dansdata.com/gz011.htm
http://www.supermediastore.com/optimizebattery.html
http://www.titannotebook.com/product/battery/battery_faq.asp

Apparently, for Li-Ion batteries, it is not necessary to discharge them completely since this type does not have a memory effect. In fact, one is advised against completely emptying the battery as the weaker cells will drain the stronger ones and the battery's life will be shortened. You can charge Li-Ions as and when you wish. They can last about 300 cycles. However, if you charge them when they are less than 50% discharged, it does not count as one cycle.

The thing to watch out for is not to leave the battery in the laptop for a long time while you are using the mains current as it may get 'overcharged' unless you have a smart charger that stops charging when the battery is full. Also, it gets hot in the laptop when mains is being used, and heat will cause more rapid deterioration. Since Li-Ions last up to 300 cycles or up to 3 years, whichever comes first, using the batteries once or twice a week is just about right to get the most out of them before they die.

I usually use my laptop running on battery until the indicator shows less than 10% juice left, but higher than 5%. Since a cycle is counted when there's less than 50% left, I might as well use as much of it as I can after that point, in order to fully enjoy my "totally wireless experience!"

 

hello. this is my first post and i came across here by accident, and i was reading the posts. you can read about Li ion batteries here. http://www.fact-index.com/l/li/lithium_ion_battery.html

in my experience, Li-ion batteries are NOT best left topped off. you may let me know what you think.

 

this might not be related to laptops but what about mobile phones? my old one's batt started screwing up when i charged it whenever i can, but when i fully discharge it, and charge again, it doesn't screw up.
the batt is a li-polymer

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Born Loser

 

Is there a rectangular hole after you remove the battery? I guess Acer does not supply a dummy battery with a leg to fit into the hole. In mine, the 'leg', which is only about 2mm high, sits beside the battery.

Can you cut a small eraser the same height as the other three legs and place it somewhere near the battery space? I don't know how you can stick it there, though. Don't use anything with adhesive like Scotch tape or double-sided tape, as the heat may cause it to leave a sticky mess after a while.

 

I don't think that's a good idea. Windows manages the power consumption of the laptop even when I am using outlet power and shows the state of the battery under power options. It will obviously detect the missing battery and probably throw a fit or something. Guess Acer designed it this way so that you should have the battery attached to the LT even while using outlet power.

Tony



T. Chan

Ultinet desktop P3 450Mhz

Acer 1681WLMi

 

My laptop behaves well with the battery removed. In fact, the Aspire 2003 manual says "if you want to use constant AC power, you are advised to remove the battery pack after it is fully charged."

The link quoted by Gogofaster says "When using a notebook computer running from fixed line power over extended periods, it is advisable to remove the battery and store it in a cool place."

Personally, I prefer to leave the battery in the laptop in case there's a power cut caused by some errant appliance tripping the trip switch, someone stepping on the power cord, the spouse unknowingly switching off the AC (which has happened to me), etc. However, in order to optimize the life of the battery, the manual says otherwise. Does your manual mention anything in this regard?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Born Loser

 

I've only had my 3201 for two months and the battery will not hold a charge anymore. I emailed Acer support to get it replaced.