Dead Battery - never got to use it, now out of warranty!

[jeffcrilly]

When I ordered my T42 last year it came with a "free" battery, which I never used.

When the recall hit, the battery I was using in the TP got recalled.

So I popped in the "free" spare battery (which is not part of the recall - its a panasonic.) It was still sealed in the box from last year.

Its DEAD. DOA. Wont take a charge.

Unfortunately it is exactly ONE day out-of-warranty.

Anyhow, I'm trying to convince len-oh-no-vo to replace it. I doubt I will succeed.

And when I go to the lenovo site to _buy_ a new battery all the links are dead.

AARRGH!

[christopher_wolf]

If it is DOA out of the box, then you will have a good chance of convincing Lenovo that you should get a new one; out of warranty or not.

Strange that the T4X Series Battery Purchase page isn't working, though.

[vlyne]

When I ordered my T42 last year it came with a "free" battery, which I never used.

When the recall hit, the battery I was using in the TP got recalled.

I've got a T42 but haven't had a recall - must check. Sounds like you didn't get an immediate replacement for the recalled battery. So if you didn't have a spare are you just supposed to run off the A/C and take the risk??

I'd try leaving the spare one on charge for a day or more and see if it fires up.
Cheers

[jeffcrilly]

Here's an update on my year-old never used battery...

After a round of several emails w/ lenovo, they stopped replying.

No luck with them.

I tried charging it again. No luck. I'll probably slice it up and see what its made of.

Kinda sux.

Now I'm looking for new 9 cell. If anyone knows of a reliable source (i.e. preferrably cells not affected by the recall), let me know.

As for the recalled battery... I'm still using the potential bomb. I dont leave the laptop plugged in / turned on when I'm not around (maybe that should help keeping it from toasting?)

I'm still waiting on the recalled battery. Been about two weeks.

jeff[/b]

[tselling]

From what I understand, LiIon batteries will not take a charge once they go completely dead. Sometime repeatedly installing and removing the battery from the computer will eventually get it to start charging. But not always. Don't just let LiIon batteries sit around forever. You have to periodically charge them before the charge is completely lost. You probably let the battery sit too long and it completely lost its charge.

[Terrahawk]

Some lithium-ion batteries fail due to excessive low discharge. If discharged below 2.5 volts per cell, the internal safety circuit opens and the battery appears dead. A charge with the original charger is no longer possible. Some battery analyzers (Cadex) feature a boost function that reactivates the protection circuit of a failed battery and enables a recharge. However, if the cell voltage has fallen below 1.5V/cell and has remained in that state for a few months, a recharge should be avoided because of safety concerns. To prevent failure, never store the battery fully discharged. Apply some charge before storage, and then charge fully before use.

Source: http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

If you can find a place with one of these battery analyzer things, you may be able to bring it back to life.

[jeffcrilly]

Yes. This is probably what happened.

But I find this silly. If they manufacture batteries, put them in boxes, send them to stock, stores, companies, etc., how the heck can they "charge them every few months" if they SIT in a box?!

The assumption is that a battery shelf life STORED is, what, a couple months?
So if I buy from a dealer, I can safely assume that battery was manufactured recently?

If so, they should label the box w/ a freshness date, and a notice: "Charge immediately upon receipt". (Then put in refrigirator.)

[AlphaKilo470]

Lots of batteries, especially those for camcorders and the such, will go to the store with a small charge from the factory simply to ensure the battery won't die on shelf; Canon does this with their camcorders.

[christopher_wolf]

Most laptop manufacturers do this as well when they ship batteries; usually, they are given a ~45% charge before leaving the factory and being shipped out to facilitate safe storage in inventory.

[claudeo]

Look at it this way: If the battery got completely discharged its chemistry is altered to the point where it is not safe to recharge it "in the wild". So, it may actually be saving your hide by refusing a charge. This being said, it sucks that your "free" battery turned out to be a dud when you finally needed it.