Battery management question

[JamesTX]

I have a Z61t and the Advanced Docking Station. The computer spends almost all of its time docked, running on AC power. Once a month I travel and undock it. I purchased an extra 7 cell battery when I got the pc.

Both batteries have gone bad within the past month (they are not part of the recall). The one that's in the pc now only had 20 cycles on it.

So, I have 2 questions -

1) Do you have a suggestion on how to manage a battery in a situation when the pc is docked almost all the time?

2) Is there a place to buy an aftermarket battery or do they have to come from lenovo?

Thanks.
James

[NorrisCell]

If leaving it docked on AC power is killing the batteries, I suppose the easy solution is to leave the batteries out unless you're traveling with it. I'm sure you've already done that though.

I'm not sure why they're getting killed while sitting. Are you using an original IBM charger?

[JamesTX]

No, I didn't know that you could dock the pc without having the battery in. I will take it out and dock it that way.

The charger and docking station are the original IBM parts.

Thanks for that hint.
James