Vaio battery question!

Suddenly my Vaio does not detect its battery (model #VGP-BPS2C) and after calling Sony customer service and downloading some drivers/software upgrades/originals, the problem still exists. They tell me my 1 year old batt is dead. Looking on line I find the replacement prices range from about $50 to $200 and the capacity ranges from about 4400 mAh to 7200 mAh. So, my question is about selecting a replacement battery. Do I need a Sony or will an aftermarket brand do (is it risky to buy a lessor expensive batt)? What's the advice on capacity? I don't use the battery (off AC) very often, but I want it available when I need it. Seems like I should get more than one year on my new battery. Thanks in advance for your advice.
Regards, dschenck

 

When you mean VAIO does not detect battery means once you unplug from AC you computer turns off?

People on the forums always say stay away from after market brands. They work about the same but when there is a problem it usually really really bad.

Capacity range really depends if you are normal user or power user. If you are always "on the go" and you don't mind having the battery stick out from the bottom, then go for the 7200 mAh, else I would recommend getting the 4400 mAH.

Since you said you AC a lot, you should remove your battery while you are using it.

Also I recommend install "Notebook Hardware Control" and see what your battery wear % is at.

Hope that helps.

Ch28Kid

 

Definitely stick with original Sony battery. Like Ch28Kid says, if you mostly use AC, let the battery drain to <50% and remove your battery. This will greatly enhance the life of battery.

 

Search the threads you should see alot of stories about sony's batteries. I myself have had two of sony's batteries go bad on me and now since the warrantee is past the one year mark I have to buy a new one. And it's not just me this seems more common than you'd think. Personally I think sony has a batch of bad batteries that they're intentionally shipping with new laptops and when they die (which is soon) and the warantee is over, oh well there's another $200 for sony. I'm really pissed at sony for this which is why I doubt I will ever buy another sony product. Oh and I tried the cheaper batteries too - they don't work. At least on my model (SZ270P) the laptop will detect at the hardware level that it's not a sony battery and refuse to charge it. So yeah now I'm stuck paying top dollar for a battery that may or may not work.

 

Yes, the computer turns off immediately when I unplug the AC. Thanks for your advice, it was helpful. dschenck

 

Does the large capacity battery (VGP-BPL8) in the FZ290 stick out towards the back or towards the bottom?

 

Yup --- careful with OEM batteries on Sonys. For your reading pleasure:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=100961&highlight=OEM+battery

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=90001&highlight=OEM+battery

 

Having read about Sony battery problems, below is an extract from Wikipedia :

Guidelines for prolonging Li-ion battery life
Unlike Ni-Cd batteries, lithium-ion batteries should be charged early and often. However, if they are not used for a long time, they should be brought to a charge level of around 40% - 60%. Lithium-ion batteries should not be frequently fully discharged and recharged ("deep-cycled") like Ni-Cd batteries, but this is necessary after about every 30th recharge to recalibrate any external electronic "fuel gauge" (e.g. State Of Charge meter).
This prevents the fuel gauge from showing an incorrect battery charge.

Li-ion batteries should be kept cool. Ideally they are stored in a refrigerator. Aging will take its toll much faster at high temperatures. The high temperatures found in cars cause lithium-ion batteries to degrade rapidly.
According to one book, lithium-ion batteries should not be frozen (most lithium-ion battery electrolytes freeze at approximately −40 °C; this is much colder than the lowest temperature reached by household freezers, however).

Li-ion batteries should be bought only when needed, because the aging process begins as soon as the battery is manufactured. When using a notebook computer running from fixed line power over extended periods, the battery should be removed, and stored in a cool place so that it is not affected by the heat produced by the computer.

Storage temperature and charge
Storing a Li-ion battery at the correct temperature and charge makes all the difference in maintaining its storage capacity. The following table shows the amount of permanent capacity loss that will occur after storage at a given charge level and temperature.

Permanent Capacity Loss versus Storage Conditions :
Storage Temperature....... 40% Charge.................. 100% Charge
0 °C (32 °F)...................2% loss after 1 year.......6% loss after 1 year
25 °C (77 °F).................4% loss after 1 year.......20% loss after 1 year
40 °C (104 °F)...............15% loss after 1 year......35% loss after 1 year
60 °C (140 °F)...............25% loss after 1 year......40% loss after 3 months
Source: BatteryUniversity.com

It is significantly beneficial to avoid storing a lithium-ion battery at full charge. A Li-ion battery stored at 40% charge will last many times longer than one stored at 100% charge, particularly at higher temperatures.

If a Li-ion battery is stored with too low a charge, there is a risk of allowing the charge to drop below the battery's low-voltage threshold, resulting in an unrecoverable dead battery. Once the charge has dropped to this level, recharging it can be dangerous. Some batteries therefore feature an internal safety circuit which will prevent charging in this state, and the battery will be for all practical purposes dead.

In circumstances where a second Li-ion battery is available for a given device, it is recommended that the unused battery be discharged to 40% and placed in the refrigerator to prolong its shelf life. While the battery can be used or charged immediately, some Li-ion batteries will provide more energy when brought to room temperature.


rgds.