Thinkpads Forum

I bought an 8-cell battery in addition to the 4-cell one that came with my X61. I plan to use the 8-cell battery only during my occasional transcontinental flights. Could somebody please recommend how I need to store that extra battery? I have heard that IBM recommends to keep it at 40%. Do I need to occasinally full charge/ recharge it?

I think that perhaps that you took the recommendation of IBM too literally. They recommend keeping it at 40% charge 'if' you intend to store it outside of the machine for an extended period of time (as in months). Otherwise keep it at 100% and use it. Recalibrate it once a month (full discharge/recharge).

Please refer to the following:

How to Store Batteries - Battery University

Harryc wrote: They recommend keeping it at 40% charge 'if' you intend to store it outside of the machine for an extended period of time (as in months).

Yes, that is what I plan to do. What else is recommended besides keeping it at 40% charge?

The other honest answer. Rechargable Li-On batteries have a finite shelf life of about 3 years. Your efforts may prove fruitless.

Just use the battery at least once a month. Or switch between the two every couple of weeks.

alosito wrote:I bought an 8-cell battery in addition to the 4-cell one that came with my X61. I plan to use the 8-cell battery only during my occasional transcontinental flights. Could somebody please recommend how I need to store that extra battery? I have heard that IBM recommends to keep it at 40%. Do I need to occasinally full charge/ recharge it?

although not a laptop battery, I keep a spare battery charged about halfway and in the refrigerator. The battery university link has good info.

apbudha wrote:I keep a spare battery charged about halfway and in the refrigerator. The battery university link has good info.

I couldn't find any information about storing batteries in the frige on batteryuniversity.com. Could you please give me a link? Does anybody else store his spare laptop battery in the frige?