Any tips or links on Battery Care?

Hello,

I am getting a Dell XPS m1530 with 6 and 9 cell batteries. I had a Sony VAIO and the battery life was good for awhile, but it's terrible now after 3+ years (it's been bad for awhile now).

I couldn't find a battery care guide using forum search. Maybe I didn't look hard enough, but too many references to batteries!

If anyone could link me to the FAQ on laptop battery care or another site or provide advice on how I could make my new XPS batteries last longer, I would appreciate it.

 

You're search must be rusty.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=91846

 

The battery guide.

 

Laptop battery is like a ball. Don't store it fully inflated and heat deteriorates the materials.

Store battery at 40% charge.

If you mostly use your laptop on AC power on your desk, discharge battery to 40%, put away and don't leave it in computer.

If you insist on storing your battery at full charge for a looong time, put it in a zip loc and keep it refrigerated(not necessary if you store at 40% charge) then allow to return to room temp before taking it out of the bag.

 

40% when storing for long periods, months.

If you mostly use AC it is OK to leave battery in.

Storing in fridge in zip loc has nothing to do with charge level. Lower temps slow down the inevitable deterioration all Li-Ion batts suffer from.

Always storing battery at 40% charge in a cool place and never using will maximize a batts life but not practical or useful.

3 years life for a Li-Ion batt is very good.

 

I disagree.
Leaving battery fully charged accelerates permanent capacity reduction as does higher temperature.

Put the two together and it's even worse. At 40C, which is likely seen at the battery compartment area with the computer left-on and 100% charge level, expect to lose 35% of useful capacity permanently after a year

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

 

I've lost 17% in 14 months and did not start at zero. I always leave batt in. Ask around that 35% is too high ask around.

 

I use my laptop for about 16 hours per day....from 8am to midnight....between 1 and 6 hours on battery, and the rest AC...and I have NEVER, ever taken the battery out of the laptop in the 4 years and 7 months that I owned my 600m. I had two batteries, and one lasted 3 years and the other 4 years until the battery life deteriorated significantly.

Of course, this doesn't mean that taking it out doesn't help...however, there is no way that I am going to take out my battery and set it aside each day to delay the inevitable rundown of my batteries....

 

Yes, productivity supercedes battery life, but if you're one of those who use their laptop on the desk almost all the time, then only use their battery once in a blue moon(which isn't uncommon), then take it out.

 

HP I do not disagree with most of the facts you say. The only one that threw me for a loop was the "If you insist on storing your battery at full charge for a looong time, put it in a zip loc and keep it refrigerated(not necessary if you store at 40% charge) then allow to return to room temp before taking it out of the bag." I mean if someone is going to be so anal as to put in fridge, I think they could discharge to 40%? Kind of defeats the purpose!

Now I am forced to spell (yell) out common sense! If the day your notebook arrives make sure it is charged at 40%, put in plastic bag and put in fridge. That is the way to make your Batt last the longest. Now how realistic is that? Buy a brand new car and don't use it. I am just saying for the normal non anal retentive user "don't worry" everything gonna be alright. Don't worry, everything gonna be alright.

 

You're missing the point. There are places that have frequent power outages. In such situation, it's a great idea to have a 100% charged spare. \

Battery Handbook also suggests capacity loss figure similar to Cadex's battery university.

Your example only pertains to environmental conditions your battery sees on your battery and just a single observation anecdotal evidence. "My one sample in one condition suggests 17%, therefore it's too high" isn't statistically significant.

 

Yet you provide Zero statistical evidence? Just keep rocking! Please, I have been very nice to you.

 

Powerpack, for someone with your username, and a battery as your avatar, it seems odd to me that you'd choose to ignore good science when it comes to batteries.

Nobody is saying that you MUST take the battery out of your laptop when it reaches 40% and store it in the fridge. You're right that it's impractical. But the inescapable, scientific fact is that doing so will result in the least deterioration if what you want to do is store the battery for a long period of time.

By contrast, leaving in the PC, where it'll spend most of its life at 100% charge and at elevated temperature, is actually about the worst thing you can do from the perspective of battery lifetime - however nice it would be if the facts were otherwise.

When you say you've lost 17%, how exactly did you measure that? If it's not in a controlled discharge test, with the computer presenting a well-defined, repeatable load, it's meaningless - a rough approximation at best.

 

Alright boys! What good does a batt in the fridge do you? Yes I Know! What good does it do you. I have already said! Store in a fridge W/40% charge! Good night! Make sure to turn all the kids on to your new idea!

 

I'm quoting credible references. You're trying to challenge them with your single sample anecdotal evidence and "ask around" and the basis for such argument is that your have one result and you can gather a few with same experience, therefore the slippery slope assumption that the general trend must be the same.

Batteryuniversity.com is run by Cadex Electronics of B.C., Canada, a name respected in the battery industry as a manufacturer of battery analyzer.

Battery Handbook is a reference book on batteries compiled from credible sources.

 

Sorry boys. 4+ years on the battery in my HP left in always and still gets almost an hour. There's my proof.