Recommended Battery Settings

Hello Everyone,

I just got a new T500 and I am loving it so far! However, I had a few question with regards to conserving my battery's life (I got a 9-cell).

1) If I expect the laptop to be plugged into AC for long periods of time, what is the recommended time to cycle the battery (weekly/monthly)?
2) For this period, would it be best if I just remove the battery? And if I am to remove it, should I drain it first and then remove it, or remove it while fully charged? (I'd personally prefer to not remove it, since I might need the battery power randomly for a minute or two to switch my laptop location).
3) Also, what are the recommended settings for the "start charging" and "stop charging" when you expect the laptop to be plugged into AC for large amounts of time?
4) And what are the recommended settings for the "start charging" and "stop charging" when a lot of switching between AC/battery and running on battery can be expected? (I understand that lower figures on the stop charging time would indicate smaller time-run on the battery charge. I guess I was looking for the best compromise between battery-time and battery-life).

And also, other than frequently changing from battery/AC, are there any other ways to conserve the life of the battery?

Thanks a lot.

 

If you are plugged in majority of the time but still want the battery installed then set your charge thresholds to start charging at 30% and stop wherever you feel necessary. Then discharge the battery to 40% and leave it there. Lithium Ions store the best with a 40% charge and will minimize the wear.

 

I recommend not driving yourself nuts.

While I am often on AC power and frequently fully charge the battery, I do this because I like being able to GO OFF AC AT ANY TIME AND STILL HAVE 4-5 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE FROM MY SIX CELL. I have being doing this for over a year now and my battery has only lost 10 percent of its capacity. In six months to a year from now, if I still have this notebook, I will probably/simply buy a new battery, which will last me another ~2 years/almost certainly outlast my daily use of this notebook.

 

Where can this be set?

 

In the battery maintenance section of the power manager.

I have mine set to charge if it goes below 15% and stop at 95%. Usually make sure it is at 95% before leaving the house as plugs aint always easy to come by.

 

Can you be more specific? Is this a ThinkVantage applet?

 

Yes, you should be able to access it through the battery icon in your taskbar I would think. Unless things work different with X200's. I use a T500.

 

Double click on the battery icon. The larger battery icon. It will open up the Power Manager application.

Then go to battery and click on battery maintenance. You can set those levels there.

Hope that helps.

 

I don't have the larger battery icon (I'm asusming you mean the big, green horizontal one, not the vertical one that comes with the OS) because I don't have ThinkVantage installed. I also don't believe this kind of configuration is available from the BIOS, so this sounds like stuff that only ThinkVantage offers - a good reason to install it.

 

hmm.. bought my laptop exactly a year ago... had 3.5 hours of batt in it..
now its a year later and running at 1.5 hours..
time for a new battery, or in my case a new laptop (b/c of an accident i had with it)

 

Here's my recommendation:

1) I have read that cycling the battery at least once a month is recommended.

2) If your battery is going to be idle for a LONG time it is best to drain it to ≈40%, remove it, and store it in a cool dry place.

3) For usage that is almost always plugged in I would recommend start at 30%, stop at 50%. This will keep you around the ideal 40% for long term storage and minimize cycles.

4) For general usage (both on and off A/C) I recommend start at 60% and stop at 95%. You can use a lower or higher start time if you need less/more battery life. 95% is recommended as a hard stop because the last 5% takes a while to charge and is not good for long term battery health. However, you should take it to 100% every month or so.

 

Hello everyone!

Thanks a lot! The replies from everyone really helped me gain a greater understanding on this topic!

Great! I am draining my battery right now! (It was set at 100% ) As per the general recommendation, I just set the start charging to 30% and stop at 50% (for the 3 weeks that I expect this laptop to be plugged in all the time it is turned on)!

Is it that obvious ?

Sounds like a plan! Although, the only reason why I am trying to look after this new laptop is because I got it off my own money and want to conserve every single bit of it .

I'll employ these settings once the next term starts, in which I'll be carrying my laptop to school! Thanks a lot!

I've also heard that, but wasn't too sure. With my University restarting, this will not be that impossible to achieve .

I'll keep it stuffed in my laptop... but will make sure to keep it at 40%. While my laptop won't be a refrigerator, it won't at least be as hot as my old Compaq.

Ah, I never knew that. I've always had my battery charge to 100%. Perhaps that might be the cause of the degredation of my old laptop's battery as well! Thanks a lot! I'll switch to these settings (as opposed to the current ones described above), once I plan to be on the move.

Thanks a lot everyone for your recommendations! It really did help me!

 

Mine is 45 to 50. Why is 40 the best threshold?

 

After trying this myself, I'll correct my guess above: these options (and the famous big battery on the taskbar) are available once you install the "ThinkPad Power Manager", not the ThinkVantage stuff.