Gateway Laptop Battery Confusion

* I have an MC7833u Gateway laptop (16" screen / lit keys / Win7) - with a dead battery - with a red X on the icon. Neither Gateway, nor ACER has an help available for this unit. Gateway refers me to a third party supply house with only their part number. Yippee.
* Apparently there are 2 distinct batteries available: 14.8 volts and 11.1 volts. Both say: 'not compatible with the other'. (They look and fit identically.)
* I have replaced the battery several times over the years, and don't really know if the right one is in it. The red X makes me wonder.
* Anyone have this unit, or know (for sure) which voltage it should be?

thanks,
Jon

 

well if the last battery worked at first, no red x, then that battery should be the right voltage. Usually then there is a label on the battery with the specs.

 

The one that's in it is a 14.8v, but when I replaced it last time, I was just looking at specs, and I figured 14.8 was better than 11.1 (bigger is better) - since both were listed. Soooo - I may have replaced an 11.1 with a 14.8 by mistake... or not. Would a warning have gone up! if I used the wrong spec at that time?

 

possibly, the electronics may be where either could work. All I can say is you know the 14.8 works so the best bet is to stick with it.

 

As far as I know it's not important. Both should work fine. Sellers are cautious about that saying that you should buy an identical one to the one you have and you can't blame them - no one wants a refund, but in reality both should work fine.

 

Keyword here is should! no guaranty so again best bet is to stick with what is there for volts and if you can get more amps.

 

I used the word "should" only because it's not my money and in case I was wrong someone else would pay the bill. If it was indeed my money I would use "is gong to".
Still you have to be responsible for your words so I made it a bit less authoritative.

 

They way I kinda fixed my problem was to use eBay and match the battery part number to the battery sold on there and if there was OEM match I would go with that just make sure the battery is working condition and not a used dead batteries as there are some that do sell dead old batteries but they do mention it on their listing so read carefully. Also I found that in Gateway OEM used batteries are far better then New 3rd party batteries when I bought them. Also at the OP look at your gateway service manual and see what battery part number it list for the laptop that would also be a reference that you should also use when looking for replacement battery. Acer/Gateway might not be much help on older laptop batteries but the Service Manual will give you part information and that will help you look for a battery match.