T42 Sony Battery Pack Recall?

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warreng24 · #1 Post by **warreng24** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:28 pm

My T42's battery pack was made by Sony.

So you all think it will be recalled along with the Dell and Apple battery packs (also made by Sony)?

cmarti · #2 Post by **cmarti** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:30 pm

No there is no recall for the IBM batteries.

Don't worry.

ParzanM · #3 Post by **ParzanM** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:24 pm

unless your T42 has a dell sticker on it your safe!!

cmarti · #4 Post by **cmarti** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:33 pm

ParzanM wrote:unless your T42 has a dell sticker on it your safe!!

That is a good one!

#5 Post by **archer6** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:35 pm

There is no recall that I'm aware of regarding Sony batteries in Thinkpads _YET_

Hopefully there will not be. However from what I've read on the technical side of the issue, it's about manufacturing practices which may be the same for all the Sony batteries regardless of who they were being sold & shipped to. I would expect that if we do not hear something in the next few days, that we are OK.

DIGITALgimpus · #6 Post by **DIGITALgimpus** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:10 pm

It's possible... they haven't said where the defect is. If it's part of the design shared by serveral manufacturers, or something specific to one or two.

Now that Apple came out (rumored for a few days), I wouldn't be suprised to see IBM/Lenovo with a similar recall. As archer6 mentions, it's something about the manufacturing practices... and is sounding more likely to be something universal.

Also note half of the new consortium have announced recalls... So I'd say there's reason to believe it could happen. Same with HP. All have supposedly used Sony batteries.

I'd say in the next 2 weeks we'll know.

ParzanM · #7 Post by **ParzanM** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:42 am

Now that Apple came out (rumored for a few days), I wouldn't be suprised to see IBM/Lenovo with a similar recall.

Were those batteries also made by sony

Parzan
PS. Im just gunna throw this out.......

does anyone know why all these li-ion batteries are burning? I also heard on the news that some cell phone users are getting burned by their cell phone batteries! Have we angered the Lithium Ion Gods? Could this be the end of Li-ion?

DIGITALgimpus · #8 Post by **DIGITALgimpus** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:12 am

Li-Ion batteries have ALWAYS run this risk. It's just a good news story for slow days, hence you are hearing about it a lot now.

Lots of energy in small size, means trouble.

Way back in 1995, Apple's PowerBook 5300 aka "HindenBook" was catching into flames due to it's LiIon battery... apple recalled and replaced them with nickel metal hydride batteries.

That was 11 years ago!

You can reduce your risk by not buying generic batteries on the black market... don't buy cell phone batteries on the street, they are known for malfunctioning.

This is the consequence of these batteries, they have been doing this for over a decade, it's not a news story, it's a way to boost ratings. Read up on the 5300 if your really curious. I have one in my basement.

dsigma6 · #9 Post by **dsigma6** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:51 am

ParzanM wrote: does anyone know why all these li-ion batteries are burning?

manufacturing defect- if any small particle gets into the battery during production it causes problems.

DIGITALgimpus · #10 Post by **DIGITALgimpus** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 1:10 pm

They can also malfunction and explode from a short circuit (though they are smart enough to try and avoid that even when intentionally done), excessive thermals, or damage to the cells themselves.

Common sense can minimize your risk:
- If you hear a pop or noise, or smoke unplug and get back.
- Don't operate your laptop unattended for extended periods (just like a household appliance)
- Don't buy batteries on the street or ebay but from reputable dealers, and make sure they are new and genuine. Some crooks take name brand shells and stick faulty, old or defective cells inside, and sell them as "IBM" or "Dell" batteries for example. You don't want those. Believe me, people will be selling defective sony dell batteries for the next couple of years. Just re-labeled.
- When they act eratic (don't hold charge, voltage problems), throw it out.

All of that should be common sense for 99.9999999999997% of the population... if it's not, there is a whole set of other problems.

#11 Post by **archer6** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 1:31 pm

dsigma6 wrote:
ParzanM wrote: does anyone know why all these li-ion batteries are burning?
manufacturing defect- if any small particle gets into the battery during production it causes problems.

Precisely!

Like any other mass produced item, the battery is built to certain standards, within certain tolerances. This includes the amount of "debris ie: small particles" that are allowed. Much like the standard of +/- size fit of the various hardware components.

I read yesterday (sorry I forgot to capture the link) that the big four laptop makers which include Lenovo, are getting together with the battery mfgs, to review and revise the specifications to eliminate this from being a continuing problem.

ParzanM · #12 Post by **ParzanM** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 1:51 pm

ok thanks

leegaard · #13 Post by **leegaard** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 12:55 pm

As a consumer I would love to have batteries replaced with new that are not ½ worn out.

So i would celebrate a replacement

cmarti · #14 Post by **cmarti** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 2:31 pm

When the word is out that IBM is replacing the batteries please! PM me i would love to replace all my batteries

Dead1nside · #15 Post by **Dead1nside** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 4:57 pm

Apple have also had to recall batteries, largely reported as a big cock-up on their part. Dell actually beating Apple for customer service with next day delivery of batteries.

DIGITALgimpus · #16 Post by **DIGITALgimpus** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:09 am

It's going to take a while. Dell's been analyzing the issue for weeks already, and stockpiling replacements... Apple allegedly found out about Dell's findings when the public did. So I doubt they have the stockpiles to ship right away.

Apple's famous for it's minimal inventory. It never liked keeping extra in a warehouse. Hence almost every popular product was in short supply.

v_parthi · #17 Post by **v_parthi** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:59 am

Guys,

I knew it long ago, but forgot. How to find out the Battery manufacturer for my T41p? I tried to search here for some time, but no luck.

#18 Post by **bill bolton** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:19 am

v_parthi wrote:How to find out the Battery manufacturer for my T41p

Look in the ThinkPad Configuration utility, select System Information, then Battery Information. There is a field for Manufacturer Name.

Cheers,

Bill

T42 Sony Battery Pack Recall?

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