Extended batteries?

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hyphen1 · #1 Post by **hyphen1** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:29 am

I tried searching but couldn't find a definite answer. I'm guessing they don't.

Do they make Extended batteries for the T2x series?

I finally sold my X series and want to move back to the T series but I want more then 2-3 hour battery life...

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:38 am

Not sure what you mean by "extended" other than having the battery jut out the back or bottom of the laptop. Since the battery bay in the T2x series is totally enclosed in the bottom there is no way for it to extend outside of the case. Most people will use the T30 battery in the T2x series for longer life or buy a "re-celled" battery pack that uses higher capacity cells (hopefully not Sony ones

).

(edit: You could also install an Ultrabay battery for longer life at the exclusion of any optical drive.)

hyphen1 · #3 Post by **hyphen1** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:40 am

About how much life can you expect with a T30 battery?

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:43 am

Generally, you would expect about a 10% increase in run-time. That's due to the fact that the T30 battery (at least the one I'm using right now) has a rating of 4.4Ah, while the T2x battery is rated at 4.0Ah.

I haven't done a complete rundown test of the two batteries but I have gotten a little bit more than two hours with the T2x battery before, so I would say... maybe 2:20, 2:25 for the T30?

hyphen1 · #5 Post by **hyphen1** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:45 am

That sounds pretty good. Is that with brightness kicked all the way up?

#6 Post by **rkawakami** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:49 am

I think I had the brightness a couple of notches down from max. I was also just surfing wirelessly using a generic Broadcom MiniPCI card in the T23. I always set the hard drive to "sleep" after 3 minutes and usually have the screen timeout around 10 minutes. I was using the system fairly actively so I don't think the screen was off too much, but I did notice the HDD taking some time to respond (spin-up) once in a while.

As I pointed out earlier, if you really need more time (cross-country flight) then you should also consider an Ultrabay battery.

hyphen1 · #7 Post by **hyphen1** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:57 am

Thanks a lot for all the info man. One last question for you, the ultrabay is probably what I was looking for, does this connect to the laptop itself or is this something external like a battery pack that I would have to lug around?

Thanks again!

hyphen1 · #8 Post by **hyphen1** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:59 am

Sorry, I'm an idiot... I should have realized it sits in the ultrabay... wow.

#9 Post by **rkawakami** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 1:16 am

hyphen1 wrote:Sorry, I'm an idiot...

Don't worry, we all have our slow moments

(I would of said "blonde" moments, but that would be sexist, now wouldn't it

.)

And finally, if your requirements are indeed for something like a four or five hour plane flight, and you have access to a DC power outlet at your seat (i.e. First or Business class), then you should also look at a AC/DC power adapter. These babies can plug into a regular AC outlet at home using a standard AC cord, and for car or airplane use, a separate cigarette lighter plug can be used to convert the 12VDC into the 16V that the laptop requires.

hyphen1 · #10 Post by **hyphen1** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 1:24 am

Well I think that does it then. I'm going to go ahead and order this T22 - 1GHz with SXGA+ off of ebay for $315! It's almost impossible to find SXGA T2x series.

Thanks again for all the input!

BarkingPerci · #11 Post by **BarkingPerci** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 10:30 pm

I am in desperate need for a new battery as the one I have only lasts a pitful 35 mins MAX (barely enough for my trainride each day). I've looked around some, but do any of you have a recommendation for a cheap, reliable place to pick one up for under $100?

I have a T21 with the correct charger to handle a T30 battery.

* I've found a few around the $50 mark and I'm just scared about taking a chance on them. What's the best price on a good battery from a reputable seller (US please). Anyone have personal experience in this purchase? Thanks!

** example - http://www.saveateagle.com/02k7050.html ... &ovtac=CMP

Seems to be a bit above board - 1 yr warrenty on this refurb
Any advice would be greatly appreciated

***(@ below) sorry didn't mean to go off topic (didn't want to start a new thread "Where should I get a battery" - searched for one and this thread seemed to be the best pick), but thanks so much for the information - sounds like a great option.

#12 Post by **rkawakami** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:08 pm

To keep this thread on topic...

I have used BatteryRefill.com several times for my 600X batteries. They sell original IBM battery cases re-fitted with higher capacity Li-Ion cells (no, not Sonys, 'cuz I've asked). They also offer an exchange service where you buy their re-celled battery and when you receive it, ship your original IBM-branded battery to them so they can re-fill it and sell it to someone else. If you are particularly anal about keeping your battery, I believe they also will re-fill it for you and send it back.

They have had some spotty reviews over the years; mostly complaints about how long it take to ship or communication delays, but for the four or so 600X batteries I've purchased from them, I have not had any problems with them. In order to re-fill the battery, they have to cut open the case and then glue it back together. Cosmetically, it can have a Frankenstein-look to it, but they don't seem to have any connection problems once they are installed in the laptop. I'll might be using them fairly soon for some T2x/T30 batteries since a couple of the ones that I have are pretty old and don't hold much of a charge anymore.

BruisedQuasar · #13 Post by **BruisedQuasar** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:20 am

rkawakami wrote:To keep this thread on topic...

I have used BatteryRefill.com several times for my 600X batteries. They sell original IBM battery

Do you remember how much they charge for S\H? Usually, I can click through and find out. This site doesn't allow that. I do not order anything until I know S\H first.

cinemafia · #14 Post by **cinemafia** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 12:53 pm

rkawakami wrote: I have used BatteryRefill.com several times for my 600X batteries.

Thanks! For $52 I can do an exchange for my T20 battery...which is as much as some of the 'new' ones on eBay go for, and I trust this place more than some outfit in Hong Kong.

#15 Post by **rkawakami** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:17 pm

BruisedQuasar wrote:Do you remember how much they charge for S\H? Usually, I can click through and find out. This site doesn't allow that. I do not order anything until I know S\H first.

I couldn't remember what the S/H charge but under the "How to Order" tab from their home page, the stated charge is a flat rate $10. I believe that when I ordered two 600 batteries, no extra S/H was added, but you probably should call them to confirm.

Since I posted some pictures of what a re-filled battery looks like in another thread, but I can't seem to find it at the moment, here's a couple of links to pictures comparing an un-opened factory battery with one from batteryrefill.com:

Side view #1 (800x341) 57KB
Side view #2 (800x339) 54KB

If you are not too concerned about the Frankenstein scars, then I would say give them a try. I have only purchased the 600-series batteries from them, although I am planning to get a couple of T30s in a little while.

Purcy · #16 Post by **Purcy** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 5:04 pm

Hyphen, I can suggest where NOT to get replacement batteries. I just bought one from Batteries-inc.com, who shows a nice big photo of my IBM battery 02K6627 (they actually use that FRU#) but when I got it, it was an off brand. It charged up okay but I had constant problems with my computer not recognizing it if I used Sleep mode, so I sent it back. I bought an original 02K6627 off of E-Bay.

Enjoy your new T22. By the way, I won mine off of E-bay this year for $167, of course I don't have SXGA LCD.

Purcy · #17 Post by **Purcy** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 6:49 pm

Well if anyone is looking for a good original IBM battery supplier, I found one on eBay; seller name is getgoingstores and he has individual never used and all assortments of bulk batteries that have been used some, but they are clearly marked what they have left in them. I bought a never used 02K6627 and it came today and it is looking pretty good. It was manufactured in 4/1999

but it has zero cycles and even though the design capacity is 38.88wh this battery shows a full charge capacity of 40wH and has zero% wear, battery health shows green. The seller had a Buy It Now price of $36 on the battery but also offered Best Offer Price, so I offered and won this battery for $25 plus $6 shipping - and it is an authentic IBM. I am in no way affiliated with this seller, just want to pass on a good deal.

#18 Post by **rkawakami** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 6:24 pm

I have to backup Purcy's recommendation of getgoingstores as well. I just bought 4 T2x batteries and two T2x keyboards from this seller for a good price. Story in the eBay Bidding and Buying thread in the Off Topic forum:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 410#230410

Since they are only a few miles out of my way into work, I ended up meeting the owner and picking up my stuff today. They also offer equipment on eBay using the ID of xreplay so search that seller's items as well. Thanks for the "heads-up" on this seller Purcy!

Purcy · #19 Post by **Purcy** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 8:43 pm

You're welcome Ray. That seller is so honest and good humored and the battery came very quickly in the mail. I must say after re-conditioning it twice I lost a little bit of the full charge capacity but it is holding strong now for 7 days at 100%; I've not had one problem with it. It sounds like you got some good deals too.

Extended batteries?

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