Laptop batteries

jp_bl_68 · 30 Mar 2009 at 12:44

Can a laptop's battery be damaged if it's constantly left connected to the mains? I know that your supposed to allow other rechargeable devices (MP3 players, mobile phones) to completely drain before attempting to recharge, is the same true for laptops?

TheVoice · 30 Mar 2009 at 12:59

Yep that can reduce their lifespan and capacity, if you're using a notebook connected to the mains most of the time it's a good idea to remove the battery if you can. Lots of people who use their notebooks like desktop PCs (i.e. forever plugged in) end up with awful battery life when they do actually use the battery.

You don't have to drain the battery completely before recharging, but constant on-off use can reduce its life considerably.

MikeHunt79 · 30 Mar 2009 at 13:10

jp_bl_68 said:
I know that your supposed to allow other rechargeable devices (MP3 players, mobile phones) to completely drain before attempting to recharge?

This is completely wrong... Deep discharge is not good for Li-ion cells...

jp_bl_68 · 30 Mar 2009 at 13:15

Is it safe to use a laptop without the battery?

jp_bl_68 · 30 Mar 2009 at 13:23

MikeHunt79 said:
This is completely wrong... Deep discharge is not good for Li-ion cells...

Are you sure? Everyone else I've spoken to has said that it can help to extend battery life.

MikeHunt79 · 30 Mar 2009 at 13:34

jp_bl_68 said:
Are you sure? Everyone else I've spoken to has said that it can help to extend battery life.

-Do not discharge lithium-ion too deeply. Instead, charge it frequently. Lithium-ion does not have memory problems like nickel-cadmium batteries. No deep discharges are needed for conditioning.

http://batteryuniversity.com/partone-5A.htm

Whoever told you to completely discharge laptop batteries is wrong.

jp_bl_68 · 30 Mar 2009 at 14:02

Sorry, got a bit confused there, no one told me to completely discharge laptop batteries but I was told that completely discharging my MP3 player's battery could be beneficial.

MikeHunt79 · 30 Mar 2009 at 14:14

jp_bl_68 said:
Sorry, got a bit confused there, no one told me to completely discharge laptop batteries but I was told that completely discharging my MP3 player's battery could be beneficial.

MP3 player, mobile phone, laptop... They all use Lithium-ion batteries, so it's best not to completely discharge them if you can help it.

jp_bl_68 · 30 Mar 2009 at 14:47

I didn't realise that. Should frequent recharging be avoided where possible?

MikeHunt79 · 30 Mar 2009 at 14:51

jp_bl_68 said:
I didn't realise that. Should frequent recharging be avoided where possible?

You're better off keeping the battery topped up really, so frequent recharging is no problem.

Of you look at this page:
http://batteryuniversity.com/partone-5A.htm

Read the section called Prolonged battery life through moderation.

jp_bl_68 · 30 Mar 2009 at 15:04

Cheers.

TheVoice · 31 Mar 2009 at 23:00

jp_bl_68 said:
Is it safe to use a laptop without the battery?

Should be. It'll run directly off the mains and just report than there's no battery installed, but for all intents and purposes it should run just like a desktop PC would.

Ghost-Reaper · 31 Mar 2009 at 23:10

jp_bl_68 said:
Is it safe to use a laptop without the battery?

Yeah its fine, like TheVoice said it will work just like a desktop. You obviously have to be careful of knocking the cable out when moving it about.