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 Battery Tips and
Useful Information
All our batteries and chargers are guaranteed to perform at exact manufacturer's
specifications or better. Unlike other stores, we offer a one of a kind lifetime
warranty on all batteries purchased from Memory Suppliers.
- 100% Original Manufacturer Compatible
- Guaranteed to Meet or Exceed Original Specifications
- Full Lifetime Warranty
Our batteries are made
using the highest quality cells available and utilize all of the proper logic
boards, thermal protectors, thermistors and circuit breakers to ensure the
highest levels of battery safety, reliability and efficiency.
In
order to guarantee optimal battery performance and life we recommend you read
the new battery instructions below.
1. Quick
Tips - Battery Care Instructions:
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o Your new battery comes in a discharged condition and
must be charged before use (refer to your computer manual for charging
instructions). Upon initial use (or after a prolonged storage period) the
battery may require three to four charge/discharge cycles before achieving
maximum capacity.
o When charging the battery for the first time your
computer may indicate that charging is complete after just 10 or 15 minutes.
This is a normal phenomenon with rechargeable batteries. Simply remove the
battery from the computer and repeat the charging procedure.
o It is
important to condition (fully discharge and then fully charge) the battery every
two to three weeks. Failure to do so may significantly shorten the battery's
life (this does not apply to Li-Ion batteries, which do not require
conditioning). To discharge, simply run your device under the battery's power
until it shuts down or until you get a low battery warning. Then recharge the
battery as instructed in your user's manual.
o If the battery will not
be in use for a month or longer, it is recommended that it be removed from the
device and stored in a cool, dry, clean place.
o It is normal for a
battery to become warm during charging and discharging.
o A charged
battery will eventually lose its charge if unused. It may therefore be necessary
to recharge the battery after a storage period.
o The milliamp-hour
(mAH) rating of the BatteryValues.com battery will often be higher than the one
on your original battery. A higher mAH rating is indicative of a longer lasting
(higher capacity) battery and will not cause any incompatibilities. An
BatteryValues.com battery will, in most cases, outperform the original by 30% to
50%. o Actual battery run-time depends upon the power demands made by the
equipment. In the case of notebook computers, the use of the monitor, the hard
drive and other peripherals results in an additional drain upon the battery,
effectively reducing the battery's run-time. The total run-time of the battery
is also heavily dependent upon the design of the equipment. To ensure maximum
performance of the battery, optimize your computer's power management features.
Refer to your computer manual for further instructions.
2. Battery
Dont's:
top of page
o Do not short-circuit. A short-circuit may cause severe
damage to the battery.
o Do not drop, hit or otherwise abuse the battery
as this may result in the exposure of the cell contents, which are corrosive.
o Do not expose the battery to moisture or rain.
o Keep battery
away from fire or other sources of extreme heat. Do not incinerate. Exposure of
battery to extreme heat may result in an explosion.
3. What Are The Different
Types of Rechargeable Battery Chemistries/Technologies?
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Batteries in portable consumer devices (laptops and notebooks,
camcorders, cell phones, etc.) are principally made using either Nickel Cadmium
(NiCad), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) technologies. Each
type of rechargeable battery technology has its own unique
characteristics:
NiCad and NiMH: the main difference between the
two is the fact that NiMH batteries (the newer of the two technologies) offer
higher energy densities than NiCads. In other words, pound for pound, NiMH
delivers approximately 100% more capacity than its NiCad counterpart. What this
translates into is increased run-time from the battery with no additional bulk
to weigh down your portable device. NiMH also offers another major advantage:
NiCad batteries tend to suffer from what is called the " memory effect". NiMH
batteries are less prone to develop this dreaded affliction and thus require
less maintenance and care. NiMH batteries are also more environmentally friendly
than their NiCad counterparts, since they do not contain heavy metals (which
present serious landfill problems).
Li-Ion has quickly become the
emerging standard for portable power in consumer devices. Li-Ion batteries
produce the same energy as NiMH batteries but weigh approximately 35% less. This
is crucial in applications such as camcorders or notebook computers, where the
battery makes up a significant portion of the device's weight. Another reason
Li-Ion batteries have become so popular is that they do not suffer from the
memory effect AT ALL. They are also better for the environment because they
don't contain toxic materials such as Cadmium or Mercury.
4. What is the "Memory Effect"
?
top of
page
NiCad batteries, and to a lesser
extent NiMH batteries, suffer from what's called the "memory effect". What this
means is that if a battery is continually only partially discharged before
re-charging, the battery "forgets" that it has the capacity to further discharge
all the way down. To illustrate: If you, on a regular basis, fully charge your
battery and then use only 50% of its capacity before the next recharge,
eventually the battery will become unaware of its extra 50% capacity which has
remained unused. Your battery will remain functional, but only at 50% of its
original capacity. The way to avoid the dreaded "memory effect" is to fully
cycle (fully charge and then fully discharge) your battery at least once every
two to three weeks. Batteries can be discharged by unplugging the device's AC
adaptor and letting the device run on the battery until it ceases to function.
This will insure your battery remains healthy.
5. Is it Possible to Upgrade My Device's Battery
to a Newer Chemistry?
top of
page
NiCad, NiMH and Li-ion are all
fundamentally different from one another and cannot be substituted unless the
device has been pre-configured from the factory to accept more than one type of
rechargeable battery. The difference between them stems from the fact that each
type requires a different charging pattern to be properly recharged. Therefore,
the portable device's charger must be properly configured to handle a given type
of rechargeable battery.
Refer to your owner's manual to find out
which rechargeable battery types your particular device supports, or simply use
our search engine to find your device. It will automatically list all of the
battery types supported by your machine.
6. My New Battery Isn't Charging. What's the
Deal?
top of
page
New batteries are shipped in a
discharged condition and must charged before use. We generally recommend an
overnight charge (approximately twelve hours). Refer to your user's manual for
charging instructions. Rechargeable batteries should be cycled - fully charged
and then fully discharged - 2 to 4 times initially to allow them to reach their
full capacity. (Note: it is perfectly normal for a battery to become warm to the
touch during charging and discharging).
New batteries are hard for
your device to charge; they have never been fully charged and are therefore
"unformed". Sometimes your device's charger will stop charging a new battery
before it is fully charged. If this happens, simply remove the battery from your
device and then re-insert it. The charge cycle should begin again. This may
happen several times during your first battery charge. Don't worry; it's
perfectly normal.
7. How Can I
Maximize Battery Performance?
top of page
There are
several steps you can take to insure that you get maximum performance from your
battery:
Breaking In New Batteries - new batteries come in a
discharged condition and must be fully charged before use. It is recommended
that you fully charge and discharge your new battery two to four times to allow
it to reach its maximum rated capacity.
Preventing the Memory
Effect - Keep your battery healthy by fully charging and then fully
discharging it at least once every two to three weeks. Exceptions to the rule
are Li-Ion batteries which do not suffer from the memory effect.
Keep
Your Batteries Clean - It's a good idea to clean dirty battery contacts with
a cotton swab and alcohol. This helps maintain a good connection between the
battery and your portable device.
Exercise
Your Battery - Do not leave your battery dormant
for long periods of time. We recommend using the battery at least once every two
to three weeks. If a battery has not been used for a long period of time,
perform the new battery break in procedure described above.
Battery
Storage - If you don't plan on using the battery for a month or more, we
recommend storing it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and metal
objects. NiCad, NiMH and Li-Ion batteries will self-discharge during storage;
remember to break them in before use. Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries must be
kept at full charge during storage. This is usually achieved by using special
trickle chargers. If you do not have a trickle charger, do not attempt to store
SLA batteries for more than three months.
For Notebook Users - To
get maximum performance from your battery, fully optimize the notebook's power
management features prior to use. Power management is a trade off: better power
conservation in exchange for lesser computer performance. The power management
system conserves battery power by setting the processor to run at a slower
speed, dimming the screen, spinning down the hard drive when it's not in use and
causing the machine to go into sleep mode when inactive. Your notebook user's
guide will provide information relating to specific power management features.
8. How Are Batteries Rated?
(What Are Volts and Amps?)
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There are two ratings on every battery: volts and
amp-hours (AH). The AH rating may also be given as milliamp-hours (mAH), which
are one-thousandth of an amp-hour (for example, a 1AH battery is 1000mAH). The
voltage of the new battery should always match the voltage of your original.
Some of our batteries will have higher amp-hour ratings than the original
battery found in your device. This is indicative of a longer run-time (higher
capacity) and will not cause any incompatibilities.
9. How Long Do Batteries Last (What is the Life Span of My New
Battery)?
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The life of a rechargeable battery operating under
normal conditions is generally between 500 to 800 charge-discharge cycles. This
translates into one and a half to three years of battery life for the average
user. As your rechargeable battery begins to die, you will notice a decline in
the running time of the battery. When your two hour battery is only supplying
you with an hour's worth of use, it's time for a new one.
10. Should I Recycle My Old Battery?
How?
top of
page
Nicad, NiMH and Li-Ion batteries
should be recycled. Be environmentally conscious - do NOT throw these batteries
in the trash.
If you don't know where your local recycling facility is,
call the Portable Rechargeable Battery Association at 1-800-822-8837. They will
provide you with the address of the recycling center nearest to you.
Laptop and Desktop Computer
Batteries
1. What are Main
Batteries?
top of
page
The main battery (also called the
power battery) is the battery pack which allows a laptop or notebook to operate
independently of an AC power source. These rechargeable batteries are designed
to operate the computer for a certain amount of time (generally 1 to 4 hours).
2. What are CMOS or Clock Batteries?
top of page
CMOS & Clock Backup batteries perform the same
function in desktop and laptop computers: when the computer is turned off, the
battery maintains the time and date, insuring their accuracy when the system is
once again restarted. More importantly, the battery saves the computer's CMOS
set-up configuration, which allows the system to efficiently re-boot once it is
restarted. The computer knows what type of hard drive it is dealing with, etc.
Not surprisingly, these batteries are known alternatively as CMOS batteries,
Real Time Clock (RTC) batteries, or simply internal batteries.
The most common CMOS battery chemistries are Lithium, Nickel
Cadmium (NiCad) and alkaline. They are usually somewhere in the 3 to 7.2 volt
range and either solder onto the motherboard or simply plug in via a snap-in
connector (depending upon the computer manufacturer's design).
In
most cases, replacement of the CMOS battery is an easy task. It is simply a
matter of locating the battery on the computer's motherboard, removing it, and
plugging in a new one. As a rule, internal batteries should be replaced by the
same type of battery which was originally used in the machine, or according to
the manufacturer's specifications. The major exception to this rule are older
IBM compatible computers which come with a NiCad battery soldered onto the
motherboard. These computers usually have a three or four pin male plug, with
two of the pins connected via a jumper (this is generally found in the same area
of the motherboard as the original battery). This plug gives you the option of
leaving the soldered battery in place and replacing it with a plug-in type
battery. Removing the jumper tells the computer to ignore the battery soldered
onto the motherboard and to look to the pins for its power source. IMPORTANT
NOTE: NiCad batteries are rechargeable, whereas Lithium and alkaline
batteries are NOT. Therefore, Lithium and alkaline batteries must be
replaced by equivalent batteries of the same type. Attempting to replace these
non-rechargeable batteries with a NiCad will result in a non-functioning
battery, due to the fact the computer lacks the proper charging circuitry. If a
motherboard lacks the above-discussed provision for an external battery, the
NiCad battery MUST be unsoldered and replaced by a NiCad battery ONLY.
Attempting to use an alkaline or lithium battery in place of NiCad on such a
board could be hazardous. These batteries are not designed to be recharged, and
an attempt to do so may cause the battery to "burst", or explode.
CMOS batteries generally last for two to three years, although
some (especially the lithium type) have been known to last much longer.
Ironically, the less you use your computer, the faster the CMOS battery will run
out. This is because when your computer is turned off the battery begins to
function. It is recommended to replace the CMOS battery approximately once a
year, or when servicing the computer. If your computer has been idle for an
extended length of time it is a good idea to change the battery. Changing the
battery is a relatively easy and inexpensive task, especially (as I'm sure many
of you out there know) when compared to trying to reconfigure a computer which
has lost its CMOS settings.
3. What are RAM or Resume
batteries?
top of
page
Some notebook computers are
designed with a dedicated battery for backing up RAM functions when the machine
is temporarily shut off. This feature allows users to change the main battery
pack without losing the current applications and settings residing in RAM
(Random Access Memory). This is called a "battery hot swap" - switching the main
battery pack without having to turn off the computer.
These type
of batteries are alternately known as bridge batteries, RAM batteries, or resume
batteries.
Most RAM batteries are rechargeable NiCad and will last
around 2-3 years. It is recommended that you replace your notebook's RAM battery
when replacing the CMOS battery.
4. How Long Will the New Battery Power My
Laptop?
top of
page
That is difficult to determine.
Actual battery running time depends upon the power demands made by the
equipment. The use of the monitor, the hard drive and other accessories results
in an additional drain upon the battery, effectively reducing its running time.
The total running time of the battery is also dependent upon the design of the
equipment. Generally, a new BatteryValues.com battery will run at least as long
(and usually- longer) as your old battery did when it was new.
5. Is it Possible to Upgrade
My Device's Battery to a Newer Chemistry?
top of page
NiCad, NiMH and
Li-ion are all fundamentally different from one another and cannot be
substituted unless the device has been pre-configured from the factory to accept
more than one type of rechargeable battery. The difference between them stems
from the fact that each type requires a different charging pattern to be
properly recharged. Therefore, the portable device's charger must be properly
configured to handle a given type of rechargeable battery.
Refer to
your owner's manual to find out which rechargeable battery types your particular
device supports, or simply use our search engine to find your device. It will
automatically list all of the battery types supported by your machine.
6. What is a "smart" Battery?
top of page
Smart batteries
have internal circuit boards with smart chips which allow them to communicate
with the notebook and thus better monitor battery performance, output voltage
and temperature. Smart batteries will generally run 15% longer due to their
increased efficiency and also give the computer much more accurate "fuel gauge"
capabilities to determine how much battery running time is left before the next
recharge is required.
7. How Can I Maximize Battery
Performance?
top of
page
There are several steps you can
take to insure that you get maximum performance from your battery:
Breaking In New Batteries - new batteries come in a discharged
condition and must be fully charged before use. It is recommended that you fully
charge and discharge your new battery two to four times to allow it to reach its
maximum rated capacity.
Preventing the Memory Effect - Keep your
battery healthy by fully charging and then fully discharging it at least once
every two to three weeks. Exceptions to the rule are Li-Ion batteries which do
not suffer from the memory effect.
Keep Your Batteries Clean -
It's a good idea to clean dirty battery contacts with a cotton swab and alcohol.
This helps maintain a good connection between the battery and your portable
device.
Exercise Your
Battery - Do not leave your battery dormant for
long periods of time. We recommend using the battery at least once every two to
three weeks. If a battery has not been used for a long period of time, perform
the new battery break in procedure described above.
Battery
Storage - If you don't plan on using the battery for a month or more, we
recommend storing it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and metal
objects. NiCad, NiMH and Li-Ion batteries will self-discharge during storage;
remember to break them in before use. Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries must be
kept at full charge during storage. This is usually achieved by using special
trickle chargers. If you do not have a trickle charger, do not attempt to store
SLA batteries for more than three months.
For Notebook Users - To
get maximum performance from your battery, fully optimize the notebook's power
management features prior to use. Power management is a trade off: better power
conservation in exchange for lesser computer performance. The power management
system conserves battery power by setting the processor to run at a slower
speed, dimming the screen, spinning down the hard drive when it's not in use and
causing the machine to go into sleep mode when inactive. Your notebook user's
guide will provide information relating to specific power management features.
8. How Long Do Batteries Last (What is the Life Span of My New
Battery)?
top of
page
The life of a rechargeable battery
operating under normal conditions is generally between 500 to 800
charge-discharge cycles. This translates into one and a half to three years of
battery life for the average user. As your rechargeable battery begins to die,
you will notice a decline in the running time of the battery. When your two hour
battery is only supplying you with an hour's worth of use, it's time for a new
one.
9. My New Battery Isn't Charging. What's the
Deal?
top of
page
New batteries are shipped in a
discharged condition and must charged before use. We generally recommend an
overnight charge (approximately twelve hours). Refer to your user's manual for
charging instructions. Rechargeable batteries should be cycled - fully charged
and then fully discharged - 2 to 4 times initially to allow them to reach their
full capacity. (Note: it is perfectly normal for a battery to become warm to the
touch during charging and discharging).
New batteries are hard
for your device to charge; they have never been fully charged and are therefore
"unformed". Sometimes your device's charger will stop charging a new battery
before it is fully charged. If this happens, simply remove the battery from your
device and then re-insert it. The charge cycle should begin again. This may
happen several times during your first battery charge. Don't worry; it's
perfectly normal. |
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