T30 batteries

[spriggan]

Hey all,


For the moment I have 3 T30 batteries. One is working and 2 don't seem to charge at all.

I had them both connected more than 24 hrs but no change. Is there anyway to have them repaired or?
would be nice since my battery only work for 1.5 hrs.

thx in advance

[truk]

Check around with your local electronics shops and see if anyone will re-cell laptop batteries. If you can find someone who will, you will get almost new batteries out of the deal. I actually had to do this myself with an Acer, since nobody around here will. It involves disassembling the battery, tracking down new cells to fit (some can even take rechargeable AA/AAAs), removing the bad ones, and rigging the new ones into the old spaces with electrical tape and a soldering iron, since I don't have the right tools. It is not an easy, or fun prospect, but if you're feeling ambitious and desperate, that's about the only other option. (Make sure the batteries are getting voltage with a meter before trying this, since this doesn't help a bad circuit.) I do not recommend it.

[RealBlackStuff]

You're better off (and it is a lot cheaper) to buy a new one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0250849286

[truk]

I absolutely agree with the better off, but cheaper is not usually true (at least in my experience.) The price difference is well worth it though, just remember most eBay batteries are either cheap re-makes or re-cell jobs, so be careful who you're buying from. The linked one is a cheap re-make, but the 6-month warranty is a big plus. (In other words, follow RealBlackStuff's advice.)

[RealBlackStuff]

This is the only battery-refill place I am aware of:
http://www.batteryrefill.com/laptops/ib ... _T30.phtml
Not exactly cheap!

Ray Kawakami has some experience with them, as do some other forum members.
That outfit is apparently slow in action and response.
And the batteries are not a pretty sight after being refilled.

You can get 2 new knockoffs for the price of 1 refill, or 4 new knockoffs for the price of 1 new original battery.
Not too difficult to do the math!

UPDATE:
I hunted around some and found replacement batteries for DIYers:
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?P ... rodID=1404
A T23 or T30 battery takes 6 of these @ $5.90 (without tab) or @ $6.15 (with pre-wired tab).
Makes $35.40 / $36.90 per battery pack (+ shipping).

Buying a knockoff is cheaper.

[schen]

Thanks RBS! Your link to the cell replacement place answered a random "off-topic" question that has had my wife harrassing me for some time; where to you get Ni-Cad AA batteries to replace the ones in the Garden Lights.

Seriously, it might end up being useful for me if I get worked up enough to take apart my bad UltraBay Slim batteries.