Thinkpads Forum

Is it possible to rebuild a t61 battery? I seen someone do it with a t30 battery

Wondering if its possible to use some high end batteries, like maybe get 20+ hours of battery life..

Rebuilding batteries is tricky. I have attempted it a few times and the biggest problem I run into is it never reads the new cells correctly. That and trying to cram the cells back into the pack after soldering them back in place (originals will have spot welds on the rails).

It's also dangerous for obvious reasons, heating a battery is not such a good idea.

It is possible, just how plausible depends on how capable you are.

I tried to rebuild a T40 battery a couple of years ago with to no avail. The physical job is tricky but dooable, but by taking the old cells out the electronic circuits in the battery looses supply, and is not reset automatically again when the new cells are installed. I never found out how to reset the electronics but contemplated to design a hot swap procedure connecting the new cells without disconnecting the old ones first.
The new battery refused to take any charge and the whole project was abandoned.

Too complicated - buy a new battery

If you keep the circuit board inside the battery powered at all times, you can then replace the individual cells. If you goof up with the power, you're done for.
After the swap, you can reset the battery.
I've never done it, this is info I collected over time.

I guess it easy.
Open the case,replace the cells,calibration, a new battery pack is back~~...but looks like it's hard to open the case unless you break it.