Keeping Batt "IN" (laptop) while on mains - ok?

Antx777

Antx777

Antx777

Associate
Joined
23 May 2004
Posts
1,910
Hello,

I have a Toshiba laptop, and read in the manual that you are best to remove the battery when it is fully charged, as it will overcharge it etc. However, I have an habit over catching the mains wire on the laptop, and pulling it out! not nce when you are typing and have many web pages open!!:mad:

So is it ok to leave batts in or not,? does it make any difference? - will an overcharged batt becaome unusable if i leave it in all the time (or most anyway)


-Ant
 
Over a few months, it will begin to degrade, to the point where it just doesn't hold a charge. My friend had his permanently plugged in, and when he tried to use the battery after about 18 months, it held about 15 minutes charge :)
 
Cheers Gumbald, that might explain why my two nieces laptop only has 17 mins batt power (they leave it in all the time)

Thanks (>>>>>runs to the rear of his Satellite A100:eek: )


BTW, I get (in WinXP) about 1 hour 50 mins ATM, is that about normal?


-Ant
 
Heat is the enemy to your battery, keep it cool it will last longer.

For proper maintenance of a lithium-based battery, it’s important to keep the electrons in it moving occasionally. Be sure to go through at least one charge cycle per month.

Otherwise store it in the fridge at half power if you are obsessed!
 
Personally I remove the battery on my notebook if I'm using it plugged in for any long amount of time (aside from when it needs charging, of course). Keeps the battery a bit healthier.
 
NiHM's break down very fast if overcharged, so their chargers are all designed to cut charging as soon as the battery is full, NiCAD on the other hand can be trickle charged for days without too much problem. Both NiCad, and NiHM should be discharged before recharging to avoid memory effects. This is especially true of NiCAD.

Lithium ION explode if overcharged, so their circuits are very sensitive to ensure charging current is removed on time. Unfortunatly Lithion batteries are also damaged slowely by heat, so the lappy isnt doing it any favours. As said putting Lithium batteries in the fridge will increase their life span.

Never deep discharge a lithium, that causes cell damage, and absolutely never store a lithium battery empty. Recharge it as soon as possible. There is no harm in recharging a partially discharged lithium battery.

Never heard of a need for a monthly cycle of lithium batteries... but they they are generally quite easy to look after as long as they dont get too hot. Even in the fridge a Lithium battery will have lost a good percentage of its original capacity after 18 months of use.
 
My missus' macbook pro's battery has failed after about 2 years cos she left it plugged in a lot. £80 for a new one so if you can avoid leaving it charging then I would!!
 
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305336

Interesting.

MacBook and MacBook Pro: Mac reduces processor speed when battery is removed while operating from an A/C adaptor

If the battery is removed from a MacBook or MacBook Pro, the computer will automatically reduce the processor speed. This prevents the computer from shutting down if it demands more power than the A/C adaptor alone can provide.
Additional information

Important: It is strongly recommended that you do not use your MacBook or MacBook Pro while the battery is removed. Accidently bumping the A/C adaptor could disconnect power and shutdown the computer. Any information that was not saved on your computer would be lost.
 
yer this is exactly what i've said to my mum, and do take the battery out if its 100% charged and im on the mains.

ill prob use the battery while im out at a friends then charge it when i get home but i noticed the power supply gets fairly warm whilst charging but have also noticed that i once left it in for quite a long time with charge, well about an hour and was packing it away straight from use and the power supply was cold, as if it had switched off when the battery was fully charged.
 
artaxerxes said:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305336

If the battery is removed from a MacBook or MacBook Pro, the computer will automatically reduce the processor speed. This prevents the computer from shutting down if it demands more power than the A/C adaptor alone can provide.
Click to expand...

That seems a bit stupid...the AC adapter should be designed to provide as much power as the notebook needs. Additionally, surely the AC adapter is going to be able to provide more power than a battery?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom