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    Calibrating Battery

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by g00eY, Aug 8, 2009.

  1. g00eY

    g00eY Notebook Geek

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    Now that I've got a new MBP with an awesome 7-hour battery, I want to prolong my batteries lifespan as long as possible (especially since it isn't user replaceable!). However, I ran in to a little pickle...

    According to this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=91846

    I should never fully discharge my battery to 0%. Apple's battery calibration tips ( http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh2339.html), on the other hand, tell me to discharge to the cutoff point, then leave computer in sleep for 5 or more hours. Won't this discharge the battery to 0%?

    I'd like to think that Apple wouldn't tell me to do something that would harm its own product, but I just wanted to double check for sure.

    Also, what level are you guys usually draining your batteries to before charging them? The battery thread says 10-20%.
     
    g00eY, Aug 8, 2009
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  2. MKang25

    MKang25 NBR Prisoner

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    According to that post.
    • Calibrate your battery with a full discharge every 30 charges to help the battery’s fuel gauge remain accurate. Run the battery down to the automatic cut-off point of your notebook before recharging.
    Full discharge means 0%. Also some of those tips dont refer to apple laptops because apple laptop batteries need to be in the machine for it to work. With just the ac power plugged in it wont work.
     
    MKang25, Aug 8, 2009
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  3. g00eY

    g00eY Notebook Geek

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    Ok. I assumed by full discharge it meant running it to the cut-off point (like the point the laptop automatically shuts down).
     
    g00eY, Aug 8, 2009
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  4. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Running a full cycle every month/two months will do the trick.

    Also, I run my MBP as often as possible on mains. The battery has about 500 cycles life time, so I don't want to waist them.
     
    Phil, Aug 8, 2009
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  5. g00eY

    g00eY Notebook Geek

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    I have another quick question. I've been running my Mac off the wall outlet for about a day and a half now and the battery status says "not charging" and the percentage is at 95%. Other times it'll say "battery is charged" and the percentage will be in the upper 90s, but not at 100%. Is this normal? I assume this is the battery's way of not overcharging itself...
     
    g00eY, Aug 8, 2009
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  6. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Yes it's normal. I think it starts charging when below 95%.
     
    Phil, Aug 8, 2009
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  7. Luke1708

    Luke1708 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    oh gosh, i'm already at 240. :eek: :eek:
     
    Luke1708, Aug 8, 2009
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