battery question

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vjack · #1 Post by **vjack** » Mon May 23, 2005 5:39 pm

Using Battery MaxiMiser, I created an "adaptive" mode. I also set the screen brightness to 5. It says I'm getting only 2 hours and 23 minutes. This is a brand new machine. What am I doing wrong?

vjack · #2 Post by **vjack** » Mon May 23, 2005 5:44 pm

Okay, this isn't making sense. When I hold the cursor over the Battry MaxiMiser icon, the estimated remaining charge time is jumping all over the place. First it was 2 hrs 23 min, then 3 hrs 45 min, and now 4 hrs 15 min. Is this a function of adaptive mode, or is it just horribly inaccurate? If it helps, MobileMeter shows a steady speed of 600MHz.

slagmi · #3 Post by **slagmi** » Mon May 23, 2005 5:54 pm

maybe nothing

generally the battery will not reach fulll charging capacity until it's been 'cycled' a few times. you may see a modest improvement.

there's some difference of opinion on whether you should fully drain it or not (i would) but there seems to be a consensus on one thing-- don't run it for 15 minutes then charge it. at least not while it's new or on a regular basis thereafter.

also. there's all sorts of other things that factor into battery life, including ROM/RW use, hard disk use, and whether the WiFi's turned on, for example.

vjack · #4 Post by **vjack** » Mon May 23, 2005 6:00 pm

For what its worth, this (http://www.acs.nmu.edu/docs/Help/System ... attery.php) makes it sound like the battery should only be used when absolutely necessary and AC power should be used whenever possible. This was good info since I had been doing exactly what you said not to (i.e., running off battery for 20-40 minutes then plugging in). From now on, I'll not use the battery unless I really need to.

slagmi · #5 Post by **slagmi** » Mon May 23, 2005 6:08 pm

BTW the maximizer utility shows an estimate only, it will change.

on one of my thinkpads when it says 3 minutes left i usually get 15 or more, but on the X30 I'm using rignt now I'll sometimes go from 10 minutes to 3 in just a couple. you'll get to know your machine soon!

slagmi · #6 Post by **slagmi** » Mon May 23, 2005 6:14 pm

if you're going to try to preserve the battery I'd advise cycling it at least once every 2 or 3 weeks...otherwise it will degrade in another way...

i know...

one of the mods here, i think Leon, posted once something similar to this- 'just use it whenever it's convienent then buy a new one when it's dead'.

perhaps that's the best advice!

jmt · #7 Post by **jmt** » Mon May 23, 2005 7:10 pm

What I find most frustrating with my Lenovo (IBM) batteries, is the cost. How they can get $175.00 for a unit that is made up of $8.00 worth of single cell Lithium ion batteries and $1.00 worth of plastic is truly amazing.

JHaislet · #8 Post by **JHaislet** » Tue May 24, 2005 12:21 am

Buy them from someone else like APC (they make the Smart UPS's) or any number of after-market makers who sell LiON T-Series batteries.

http://apcmedia.apcc.com/resource/image ... 123_pr.jpg

Edited by Moderator: Links, not images.

vjack · #9 Post by **vjack** » Tue May 24, 2005 6:34 pm

JHaislet wrote:Buy them from someone else like APC (they make the Smart UPS's) or any number of after-market makers who sell LiON T-Series batteries.

http://apcmedia.apcc.com/resource/image ... 123_pr.jpg

Edited by Moderator: Links, not images.

I'd been wondering about this. Am I correct that non-IBM batteries will work and be considerably cheaper than buying from IBM?

jmt · #10 Post by **jmt** » Tue May 24, 2005 7:02 pm

JHaislet wrote:Buy them from someone else like APC (they make the Smart UPS's) or any number of after-market makers who sell LiON T-Series batteries.

"I'd been wondering about this. Am I correct that non-IBM batteries will work and be considerably cheaper than buying from IBM?

I went to the APC web site and unfortunately the IBM replacement batteries are listed a $150.00. Obviously at that price they are not an attractive alternative

aaronpropst · #11 Post by **aaronpropst** » Tue May 24, 2005 9:46 pm

new egg has t40 series extended batteries for a hundred bucks.. sealed new from ibm.. ibm sells them for 200 iirc..

course.. i ordered one and it appeared to be a dud.. when i get my exchange i'll let ya know.

vliou · #12 Post by **vliou** » Tue May 24, 2005 10:03 pm

If anybody's interested. I sell "HiCapacity" batteries. I can get the standard Li-ion battery to you for $130+shipping/handling, and the extended for $150+shipping and handling. Email me at support@vaglobalcommunications.com if you are interested.

JHaislet · #13 Post by **JHaislet** » Tue May 24, 2005 11:01 pm

Isn't the model that NewEgg carries the older 9-cell?

I thought the new model from IBM (#92P1102) was a lot better?

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