Bad Battery Connection?

Ok so this is something I havent seen before. I have a CF-29 MK1 and I have had it for a while. When I got it, it had a battery that would light up orange and then flash red, so I assumed bad battery right? So time went on and I've made my way through getting a few other 29s and I tried batteries here and there in this one and they flashed red but charged on other machines. I just tried a known working battery in it and when plugged in it never goes orange just stays off and then eventually starts flashing red. When I pull up the power settings it shows that theres "no battery present" in either slot one or two but if you turn on the computer without AC connected it still powers up with the battery. I have no idea why the computer is not recognizing that there is a battery there and charging, anyone have any idea how to fix this? Is it hardware or software related?? I also visually checked the pins inside and they look alright, not bent or anything, no chemical or physical damage.

 

I think it has to do with a hardware issue. Just to be sure, if you've reloaded the OS and it's still giving you this problem, it is 100% the hardware.

 

I would say hardware as well. You say you checked the pins, was that the pins on the battery, or where the battery plugs into? Because I would check the plug. And then also PM Ohlip to see if there is a fuse that runs that battery plug; he is the fuse expert here. It could be that as well.

Let us know what you find out.

 

I checked both the pins on the battery and the computer both look flawless. I suspect it is some sort of hardware problem, the guy that sold it to me was using a 16v adapter instead of the OEM 15.6v do you think this could have been enough extra juice to cause a fuse problem?

 

No problem using a 16volt adapter

Alex

 

If you are comportable enough to split up the unit maybe you can fix it. First try to see if the connector between the main mbo. and the battery board is seated properly. It is rectangular shape that can bee seen underneath ram area. leftside from the media bay area. If it is ok! you need to take out the whole mbo. to access on the bat. ctl circuit. let me know if you can do that? and then test F2. Good Luck


ohlip

 

Yeah Ill take it apart sometime today, I dont think I have anything to test it with tho

 

ok so I took it all apart and I kind of have a hard time telling where the actual battery post connects to the board but all the wires inside seemed to be seated alright. So, heres what I know
- The computer boots off the battery without a problem but doesnt show a battery connected.
- The computer flashes red on the battery indicator without ever glowing yellow after about 10 minutes of being plugged in
- All the connection wires seem to be ok
Im guessing its that F2 fuse that ohlip was refering to, but I dont have any equipment to test the fuse, any suggestions?

 

Connor,
You can buy a small multi meter for short money or borrow one from one of the guys at the fire house. You only need a continuity tester for fuses, but you sound like a multi meter is in your future anyway.
CAP

 

Thanks I'll look into that, also does anyone know if stuff like the boards and screens and stuff between an MK1 and MK4/5 are compatible? Also I've never taken a 29 keyboard off, does it have a risky ribbon connector like the 28 that can get broken and ruin the whole thing?

 

I took the MOBO completely out. Also Im trying to find exactly where the F2 fuse is, does anyone have a picture of it? Thanks

 

Yes. Search the forum, Ohlip I believe posted a nice pic of all the fuse locations. I just don't remember which thread it was. Search for cf29 fuses. That should get you started.

 

Connor...it is very tiny you need a magnefying glass to locate, it has a marking "N". Its near th corner of the battery connector (CN1).


ohlip

 

I think I found it on the very corner of the board, it looks very small, I'm still working on finding a multi meter, whats the best way to fix this though, it looks like its so small it would burn up if you try to solder it?

 

You'll need to desolder it and resolder a new one in. IF it is indeed a bad fuse. You must check it first. FYI... In some locations you can use the small Buss type fuse to repair this (If it will physically fit) or you can try salvaging one from another board/part.

 

Update, I really didn't feel up to that detailed of work, I really don't have the skills or the time right now so I just ordered a Cf-29 MK1 mobo to replace this one, Ill probably just keep the other one for parts or sell it cheap to someone who wants to put the time into the fix. It should be here in a few days, Ill update again when I put everything back together

 

I used to have this issue in CF-28s... It would glow orange stead for 5-10 minutes and then flashing red. Eventually, if I kept this up... It would lead to a flashing red light all the time. Your battery may be getting ready to fail.

I have a quiz for someone... What does a flashing GREEN light mean? Overcharged battery? I have a CF-29 battery that does that. Even without the AC Adapter plugged up to the laptop... AS soon as I put in the betery... It flashes green!

 

It wants you to step on the gas, grand-dad.

mnem
If yer scared ta drive it, park it 'n walk.

 

*shakes his head and smaks Rick on the back of the head* Dummy, it's not flashing, you are blinking your eyes!! Lay off the juice man!

 

The flashing green battery light on AC power means, "the battery, when set on high temperature mode, is discharging to 80%, do not remove battery when in this condition". This from the user manual on the CF-30.
CAP

 

Mmmmhmmm... sounds like the temp sensor is Euker-ed. Is it just the one battery that does this or do you have another to try?

mnem
Foo dogs are bad at fetch.

 

mnem,
No, there is nothing wrong. I learned from reading the manual (gasp, very non man stuff), that when you are using the laptop plugged in most of the time you can significantly increase battery longevity by setting high temp. mode in bios. This keeps the battery from "cooking" by discharging to 80% instead of the usual 95% before the charging circuit kicks back in. According to Panasonic this keeps the battery heat down which the battery likes. I get this indication when I charge the battery all the way up and then leave it hibernating on AC power. Even using this setting I'm getting over 5 hours out of the main battery in the CF-30 unplugged so I'm not concerned.
CAP

 

cap'n -

I gotcha; I thought you were describing it being STUCK in high-temp mode. I bet it decreases the charge current and/or the float current when you put it in that mode; discharging a battery COMPLETELY (down to MFR recommended minimum voltage at temp) is actually one of the BEST things you can do for it. Disuse, either by sitting dead or constantly on charge, is what kills a battery. The best thing you can do for a battery is USE it.

mnem
18650 cells make such good ammunition...

 

How does one put a battery in high temp mode?

 

Doobi,
You set it in bios. I don't want to shut this down right now, but I'm pretty sure the option is available in the 29 as well as the 30. Also protects the machine if its in a hot car or whatever.
CAP

 

That's what I thought. I checked the BIOS and didn't see it there. I will check again and post what I find. Maybe its different for my mk4 29?

 

Found it! You are correct, it is in the BIOS. It was the setting for "Environment". I expected to see a name like Battery somethingorother. Thanks Cap! I changed mine because I am notorious for plugging it in at night to charge, and forgetting about it so it sometimes stays plugged in all day.