What do I do with the extra battery?
Nodor asked:
For Christmas yesterday I got a bigger battery for my laptop. What do I do with the one it came with, and how do I store it? Should I run it down to dead…should I fully charge it…how often should I switch between batteries…is it worth keeping an extra as a backup…?
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For Christmas yesterday I got a bigger battery for my laptop. What do I do with the one it came with, and how do I store it? Should I run it down to dead…should I fully charge it…how often should I switch between batteries…is it worth keeping an extra as a backup…?
My laptop is being used as a desktop replacement, so it spends most of its time on my desk plugged in.
January 14th, 2009 at 5:21 am
recycle it.
January 17th, 2009 at 2:29 am
Well, hang on to the extra battery in case you will need it later. Yes, it is worth holding onto.
January 19th, 2009 at 2:46 am
So just put it somewhere safe and keep it for emergencys like when you lose power or if the other battery dies.
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:05 am
keep it in the fridge.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Put the spare battery in the freezer. It won’t freeze above -40 centigrade.
Correct usage will give it a lifespan of perhaps a few years.
Storage Temperature40% Charge100% Charge
0 °C (32 °F)2% loss after 1 year6% loss after 1 year
25 °C (77 °F)4% loss after 1 year20% loss after 1 year
40 °C (104 °F)15% loss after 1 year35% loss after 1 year
60 °C (140 °F)25% loss after 1 year40% loss after 3 mnths
So if you store your spare battery, make sure you set it to around 40% charge.
Keeping your computer plugged in all the time is probably the worst thing you can do for it. At least once a week (and more often is not bad) unplug your laptop from the wall and run it on battery power until it informs you that you need to recharge. This will give the battery a needed workout and make it last longer. For even better battery life, only plug your laptop in to charge it.
If it’s plugged in you can put your other battery in the fridge too, because your laptop is very warm.
Once it is fully charged, unplug it and run it off the battery. While somewhat inconvenient, this will make your laptop battery last much MUCH longer.
January 25th, 2009 at 11:50 am
With lithium-ion batteries waiting to recharge only when its empty actually shortens battery life. Charge it to capacity and leave it in your travel bag.
January 27th, 2009 at 5:02 am
It’s always great to have a back-up
When using a laptop as a desktop replacement the battery should not be left in for long periods of time. The laptop will over time discharge the battery. Remove the battery – making sure that it is charged to 40% and store it in a dry, warm place. Ensure that it is wrapped protectively and nothing will be dropped on it.
The battery should be re-installed every 3-4 weeks and allowed to fully discharge. Leaving a battery in storage for longer than this without using could cause the battery to fully discharge as the circuitry of the battery itself consumes power
Leaving a battery in a laptop while using an electrical outlet for long periods of time will keep the battery in a constant state of charging up and that will reduce the life cycle of the battery.
Remember that when you have removed the battery from a laptop while using with an electrical outlet – the automatic battery backup is no longer functional. Make sure to plug your laptop into an uninterrupted power source (UPS) not directly into an outlet or surge protector.
January 30th, 2009 at 2:12 am
recycle it….