How to store 'new' batteries?

[Harry in Warsaw]

I recently got lucky and found three 44++ (9-cell) batteries for my X230 (and possibly for a future X330p). They're were all still sealed in the original Lenovo boxes with Lenovo security tape intact. I opened one and it seems in every way to be genuine. So now I'm wondering how best to store the other two. Should I leave them sealed in their boxes (maintaining value) or open them and give them charge once every so often? If to open them, how often to charge them and to what percentage of capacity?

All advice would be much appreciated.

[axur-delmeria]

I'd rather put them on rotation than keep them in storage and hope they keep their capacity.

[Thinkpad4by3]

I'd rather put them on rotation than keep them in storage and hope they keep their capacity.

Well for "storage" I'd open them, top up to 6
~60% and monitor them down to maybe 30% and charge back up to 60.

[theterminator93]

Keep them cool, above all else. 70F/20C or so is fair - don't let them freeze, and I'd think putting them in a refrigerator is a little extreme... although a cool basement or cellar (50-60F/10-15C) would be most practically ideal. If the voltage in the cells drops too low they can't be safely recharged but I've never encountered that with a NOS Li-ion cell (oldest ones I've recharged from 0% were probably 7 or 8 years old). But storing them at 20-40% is more desirable to avoid the potential for an under-voltage condition killing one cell, and thereby the entire battery.

[artic_squirrel]

i have the same question for the L390. I only use the laptop on my desk, so I removed the internal battery as soon as I opened the lenovo box. The battery was charges at 70% and now it is around 55% after I updated the bios and discovered the laptop. I leave the battery under my bed where the air is cold.

Should I use the battery a few times, charging it around 80% and discharging it around 30 %, like 5 times, then leave it in the box ?

[dr_st]

But storing them at 20-40% is more desirable to avoid the potential for an under-voltage condition killing one cell, and thereby the entire battery.

I'd even go as far as suggesting to charge them to 80-90% before storage. The degradation is theoretically still much lower than when at 100% (and heated), but it will take longer for them to discharge down to 0%.

[ajkula66]

Should I use the battery a few times, charging it around 80% and discharging it around 30 %, like 5 times, then leave it in the box ?

You should leave it in the laptop. Most ThinkPads are not designed for optimal performance unless a battery is installed.

[dr_st]

We're talking about extra batteries.

[Thinkpad4by3]

You should leave it in the laptop. Most ThinkPads are not designed for optimal performance unless a battery is installed.

I think this is mostly a relic of the past given a 45W adapter has more than enough wattage to power a ULV CPU powered TP that most are nowadays.

[dr_st]

Well, a 65W PSU had enough juice in the past, but still. And recall that we are discussing an X230 here, not a modern ULV offering.

In any case, although I have no concrete evidence that modern Thinkpads throttle anything without a battery installed, running any laptop without a battery is just dumb, in my book.

But again, we are talking about extra batteries here.

[artic_squirrel]

the people at notebookcheck says that the L390 show no difference in terms of power with respect to power plugged in or not. But I think the X390 has no full power when only on battery.

[Thinkpad4by3]

Well, a 65W PSU had enough juice in the past, but still. And recall that we are discussing an X230 here, not a modern ULV offering.

In any case, although I have no concrete evidence that modern Thinkpads throttle anything without a battery installed, running any laptop without a battery is just dumb, in my book.

But again, we are talking about extra batteries here.

AFAIK its basically the A31p that throttles, possibly the W700 since both can easily draw as much as their adapter can supply, well at least with using the smaller 170W with the W700 or ds variant.

[dr_st]

AFAIK its basically the A31p that throttles, possibly the W700 since both can easily draw as much as their adapter can supply, well at least with using the smaller 170W with the W700 or ds variant.

AFAIK, all Lenovo Thinkpads that use the 20V round plug throttle down if a 65W PSU is used without a battery. Dunno when (or if) it changed with the new rectangular tip adapter generation.

[ajkula66]

the people at notebookcheck says that the L390 show no difference in terms of power with respect to power plugged in or not. But I think the X390 has no full power when only on battery.

I've never dealt with the machine in question - or any laptop from that generation - but in many cases the power settings are incredibly important.

[boberto19]

Per lenovo, (and other sources re: LiPo batteries in general), they have the longest lifespan when the charge is maintained between 40-70%, so I'd charge em up to 70% and give em a top off every 18 months.

[dedyafri]

Hi,

Maybe this question have correlation about batteries.

I just bought Lenovo Thinkpad L390-Yoga, but I have problem about batteries. My batteries seem waste when I don't used the Notebook, the example I charging my batteries until 100% then I shutdown the Notebook for about 3 days, and after thatI turn on the Notebook it's not 100% again, but 70%. Why this happen.

Thank You,

[Nportman]

The best option is to keep it on charge for at least 2-3 hours intul it full charge.

Once its charged, then always plugged in with the charger , in that way your laptop charger will run for approx 3 years without any issue. That's how i am using it.