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    Battery Cell Dead (Dumb Question)

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by JettMoshe, Nov 16, 2008.

  1. JettMoshe

    JettMoshe Newbie

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    I have a HP Compaq nx 7300. It's about a year and a half old.

    I ran HP's Battery check - because my battery won't charge above 66% - and as I expected, it's telling me that a cell is dead in the battery. I wnat a new one, but my budget-minded wife is asking me to wait until the battery is completely dead to get a new one.

    Will I damage my laptop by running it on a battery that is half head?
     
    JettMoshe, Nov 16, 2008
    #1
  2. Clutch

    Clutch cute and cuddly boys

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    No. The battery will not hold as much charge but it will give the same output

    example, 6 cell vs 9 cell.

    Diffrent number of cells same out put
     
    Clutch, Nov 16, 2008
    #2
  3. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    Hi.

    The battery charge light is not on constantly is it, as if it is it could be dangerous.

    Regards

    John.
     
    Tinderbox (UK), Nov 16, 2008
    #3
  4. gengerald

    gengerald Technofile Extraordinaire

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    Hey, try running CPUID's PC Wizard or Everest to check on the battery stats your self. This will give you the FULL story about the battery, wear level, mah, etc.
     
    gengerald, Nov 16, 2008
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  5. JettMoshe

    JettMoshe Newbie

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    Fortunately, it's not. It's just acting like the battery is fine, with the exception that it will only charge up to 66% and it seems that the general consensus here is that I'll be fine until the whole battery kills out.

    On gengerald's advice, I got CPUID's PC Wizard. Unfortunately, I'm not techno-savvy enough... truthfully, I have no idea what it was telling me.

    It said:

    General Information :
    Nb. Battery : 1

    Battery Information :
    Charge : (66%)
    Place : Unspecified
    Manufacturer : Hewlett-Packard
    Chemistry : LIon
    Product Name : Primary
    Technology : Rechargeable
    Designed Capacity : 35338 mWh
    Full Charge Capacity : 35338 mWh
    Capacity : 23306 mWh (66.0%)
    Level : 0%
    Voltage : 11.72 V
     
    JettMoshe, Nov 17, 2008
    #5
  6. gengerald

    gengerald Technofile Extraordinaire

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    I have read of people actually repairing their own batteries by resoldering similar cells inside. Maybe something to look into. Of course, a new battery would be the easiest thing, but they do get a bit pricey.
     
    gengerald, Nov 17, 2008
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  7. JettMoshe

    JettMoshe Newbie

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    Where would one get spare cells?

    The least expensive replacement I've found runs about $80.00
     
    JettMoshe, Nov 18, 2008
    #7
  8. Longwalker

    Longwalker Notebook Guru

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    Don't. Even. Think. About. It.

    Bare lithium ion cells are extremely unforgiving. Mishandle them and you'll get a lithium fire and/or hydrofluoric acid poisoning.

    Lithium fires can't be put out with water or ABC fire extinguishers until all the lithium has burned out.

    Hydrofluoric acid poisoning is potentially fatal.
     
    Longwalker, Nov 18, 2008
    #8
  9. Cheffy

    Cheffy Notebook Evangelist

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    At best, this will lead to a ruined battery. At worst - well, see post above.
     
    Cheffy, Nov 18, 2008
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  10. jjgoo

    jjgoo Notebook Deity

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    I have a dell that has a complete dead battery and the computer works fine.
     
    jjgoo, Nov 18, 2008
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  11. gengerald

    gengerald Technofile Extraordinaire

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    There are numerous guides on the internet (try google...) to the success of this. For someone who does not have $150 for a new battery and is somewhat skilled in electronics, it is simple and will resurrect your dead batteries. There are prepackaged cells for purchase, merely needing a quick calculation and solder. This is common practice in RC battery packs, etc. If he cannot get a new battery, then this is a viable option. It can be dangerous and it can brick your battery, but so can the possibility of you undervolting a CPU or oc a GPU and destroying it...
     
    gengerald, Nov 18, 2008
    #11
  12. Longwalker

    Longwalker Notebook Guru

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    Burning your house down is a whole different level of danger than merely bricking your laptop.
     
    Longwalker, Nov 19, 2008
    #12