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    battery calibration

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by boxcar_racer821, Aug 7, 2007.

  1. boxcar_racer821

    boxcar_racer821 Notebook Consultant

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    I know there are alot of topics on this but I still dont know what I should do with my latptop the first time I use it. I have a vostro 1500 and Im pretty sure I plug it in and get to full power (plug it in for 3 or so hours to make sure) then totally drain it until it shuts off. I know its recommended with the new Macbook pros to not drain the battery completely, so thats why I ask.
     
    boxcar_racer821, Aug 7, 2007
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  2. joklem

    joklem Notebook Enthusiast

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    Pretty sure windows will shutdown your computer before the battery is completely drained (3-5% ;), because draining it completely can harm the battery.
     
    joklem, Aug 7, 2007
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  3. HiryuX

    HiryuX Notebook Guru

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    a full discharge is only required after 30 or so partial discharges
     
    HiryuX, Aug 7, 2007
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  4. boxcar_racer821

    boxcar_racer821 Notebook Consultant

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    Really? I heard one is good for the first time you use it...anyone?
     
    boxcar_racer821, Aug 7, 2007
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  5. dc74

    dc74 Notebook Consultant

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    That is a myth inherited from the days of NiCd & NiMH batteries. Li-Ion does not require any priming. Do not drain it.
     
    dc74, Aug 7, 2007
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  6. HCW

    HCW Notebook Deity

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    what happens if you do drain it ?
     
    HCW, Aug 7, 2007
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  7. chelet

    chelet Notebook Deity

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    I thought the first full charge/full discharge you do is for calibration purposes and not for extending battery life.
     
    chelet, Aug 7, 2007
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  8. dc74

    dc74 Notebook Consultant

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    Fully discharging a li-ion battery accelerates it's aging (it'll wear out faster). If you discharge it deep enough, you'll activate the safety circuitry in the battery and it's bacically bricked.

    You don't need to calibrate it when it's new. The power meter *may* lose accuracy so it's recomended to "reset" it by discharging (not a deep discharge, only until low battery indication) every so often (about 30 cycles). This isn't requied for the battery though.

    Please refer to this website for all of your battery questions/answers: http://www.batteryuniversity.com/
     
    dc74, Aug 7, 2007
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  9. boxcar_racer821

    boxcar_racer821 Notebook Consultant

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    thanks...and WOW I LOVE MY VOSTRO 1500!!! haha its worth the caps!

    oh and if neones interested...slight noise from headphone jack when something is in it, heat seems fine (fans havent gone on), dvd drive is quite as hell, keyboard is sexy, and my 1200x800 screen is perfect.
     
    boxcar_racer821, Aug 8, 2007
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