Low capacity on brand new Slim-Li Battery? "drain"

[jeffcrilly]

I recently purchased a new slim-ultrabay battery for the T42.

After charging, it appears the battery has like 25Wh.

The 6 cell std battery has like 50Wh.

Is the slim-bay battery really that much smaller?

Also, I was hoping to be able to swap 6 cell batteries without shutting down. I have two 6 cells and one slim-bay battery.

But it seems that the laptop firsts drains the slim-bay battery, then the 6 cell. This process wont allow me to swap the 6 cell batteries! Instead, I would need multiple slim-bay batteries.

Is there any way to get it to drain the 6 cell _first_, then switch to the slim bay battery? Maybe a bios setting?

jeff

[Jmmmmm]

Is the slim bay that much smaller? Yes

As far as I know (ie I've asked and no one has said yes), the ultra bay drains first no matter what. If you find out a way to make the regular battery drain first, then please tell me.

I've learned to deal with it. I just let it drain the ultrabay first, then take it out and use the normal battery. It's like a buffer for the real battery, in a way.
If I were you and wanted to use both 6-cells, I'd use the 6cell regularly at first, then stick the ultrabay in there and switch the batteries. Then I'd leave both in there to use.

If someone knows a better way, let me know, because that's sort of what I do.

[leegaard]

You could buy an external charger.

I have seen them at quite low prices.

[davidspalding]

Probably obvious to all, but if you drain the Ultrabay batt, then run a 6-cell down, and have another ... just hibernate, swap out, then boot up.

I also have a 6-cell, and Ultrabay battery. I always make a point of having extra chargers ... one at home, one at work, maybe one in my bag. For the price, having a charger nearby is more affordable, and convenient, than having a flock of batteries. Why? Once you've drained those batteries, you have to charge them up. Unless you have an external battery charger, that means swapping out while plugged in as well. Too much trouble for me, I like the simplicity of just docking the shut-down TP overnight. YMMV.

[jeffcrilly]

You could buy an external charger.

I currently have 4 chargers. (and another that is 12v DC which I use with large 12v deep cycle batteries.)

But I'm mainly considering the battery thing for when power isnt available. ...i.e. when I'm "in the field" and prefer not to drag out the 12v deep cycle batteries.

I think maybe the process is...

- Run w/ 6 cell only.
- When 6 cell is drained, insert slim-bay battery.
- Remove 6 cell, insert new 6 cell.
- Continue running off slim-bay battery.
- When slim-bay is dead, computer will cutover to fresh 6 cell battery.

I havent tested this, but that might work ok.

The old dell had the option of using two identical batteries.
I could just carry a few and keep swapping them all night long.

jeff

[davidspalding]

Your expectation ought to work fine.

I concur wth you, the old Apple Powerbooks also had a nice, full size battery that would fit in the DVD drive .... I do wish my TP battery had LED indicators. Probably overkill for how lightweight the Ultrabay batt is.

[Thinkerer]

If you wish to control which battery is discharged first, it may be possible under Linux using the tp_smapi module:

http://thinkwiki.org/wiki/SMAPI_support_for_Linux

If this works, the functionality can also be ported to Windows.