ThinkPad Multiple Battery Charger II Questions

[rgbyhkr]

For starters, this thing definitely seems to be overpriced considering that it doesn't even some with the AC adapter. That being said, are there any downsides to it other than that and the fact that it can only charge 2 batteries sequentially vs concurrently?

I have a standard 6 cell for my T42 as well as a 9 cell. I hardly ever use the 6 cell but would have a use for it if I could have it always charged and ready to use. I'd like to be able to just swap them out whenevr one runs down and the external charger seems like a way to do that given the fact that I already have 2 batteries. By the way, I do have an extra AC adapter. Even though I haven't really used it, they were offering it at a price I couldn't pass up ($49).

Anything else I should consider?

[awolfe63]

Leaving on on constant charge will wear it out.

[rgbyhkr]

Thanks for the info. Does the charger have an indicator for when the battery is full? It would be nice so that I could just tell when I walked by if it was and unplug it so it would be ready for use. The likelihood is that I would switch out batteries at least once a day.

[jsteele]

Leaving on on constant charge will wear it out.

I'm not sure that this is the case. If it were leaving the battery in the Thinkpad while its on A/C would actually shorten the life of the battery. I was under the impression that these are "smart" batteries that manage charging situations to prevent just such a situation.

[awolfe63]

I may have sounded too alarmist.

When you are on the machine in AC - the battery get's topped off about once a week from natural leakage. That does have some impact on battery life. I - like most people - leave the battery in anyway. The embedded processsor makes the decision when to charge - not the battery.

I don't know if the external charger is quite as smart - if it is not, then there is a real issue with wear.

[rgbyhkr]

Ok, I found the manual for the multiple charger II online. It doesn't give a whoile lot of detailed info, but for those who are interested, it's available here. On the matter of charging indicators, there is one for each battery and the coloring is as follows:

- Blinking green - When you connect the battery pack to the connector, this
indicator blinks. If charging does not start, the indicator turns off.
- Green - Shows that the charging has been completed.
- Orange - Shows that the battery pack is charging.
- Blinking Orange - Indicates the battery may not be connected properly.
Reconnect the battery. If the indicator continues to blink orange, there is a
problem with the battery.

Thanks to those who helped.

Jeff