Laptop batteries

This Side Up · 12 Jul 2009 at 12:45

I have a question about laptop batteries and chargers...

When using the laptop, is it advisable to run the laptop on its batteries every now and then to discharge the battery, then charge it back up to full? Something to do with a memory effect and batteries losing their efficiency if they aren't used a lot?? Any truth to this?

If I have a laptop plugged in to the mains and I turn off the charger at the wall socket, the laptop goes to battery power. Seeing as I still have the charger cable connected to the laptop, does this discharge the batteries any quicker or does it make no difference?

Ta very muchly.

sixty · 12 Jul 2009 at 19:15

First question, the battery will last longer if it's not in the device constantly when it's attached to AC. How noticable this is depends on the type of bettery, the power control kit in the device, and the charger... But it does seem to happen to all batteries, to a greater or lesser degree.

Second question, wont make any noticable difference to the rate the battery discharges.

Bigsy · 12 Jul 2009 at 21:58

Unlike other chemistries Li-ion batteries have no memory, but they do have a finite amount of charges.

It doesn't matter if you have the battery in when its plugged in the wall as the battery has its own charge protection, when the cells are at max volts the battery isn't charged anymore until you use the battery and the volts drop off again.

This Side Up · 13 Jul 2009 at 16:59

Does the battery slowly discharge when not in use (i.e. when turned off/in use on AC power)?

I can't get it out of my head to occasionally run the laptop on batteries and charge it back up again, kinda like cycling the power inside it or something? I guess I don't have to do that any more?

Thanks guys!

AbsenceJam · 13 Jul 2009 at 18:53

Fully discharging li-ion batteries isn't good for them. Just use your laptop normally and don't worry about the battery.

MikeHunt79 · 13 Jul 2009 at 19:17

This Side Up said:
When using the laptop, is it advisable to run the laptop on its batteries every now and then to discharge the battery, then charge it back up to full? Something to do with a memory effect and batteries losing their efficiency if they aren't used a lot?? Any truth to this?

If the laptop uses Li-ion or Li-po cells then this is complete rubbish and will actually shorten the life of the cells.

Google "battery university" for more info.

This Side Up · 13 Jul 2009 at 20:47

Will do.

Many thanks, guys.