Re-conditioning batteries

[Richard_Smedley]

I'm trying to revitalise a 760e and a couple of 560s. See
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=8692
I note that PChub.co.uk have 5 batteries (dead) for under a
tenner - both for 560 and for 760.

Does anyone know if it's possible to safely replace the cells
inside these batteries - or in any other way bring them
back to life?

Cheers,

- Richard

[AlphaKilo470]

As far as reconditioning the batteries goes, I wouldn't count on it. Reconditioning works for dying battereies, not dead ones.

You can, however, refurbish a dead battery. Most stores that are dedicated to the sale of batteries have refurbishing services. Refurbishing a battery involves replacing the cells, but keeping the control circuitry and caseing, which in theory should make it cheaper than buying a new battery, and with all the good effects, but over here, with some prices, that's not always true.

[sls]

You can rebuild any NiMH and NiCD battery packs.

If your battery pack is Li-Ion, and it is dead, you can't just rebuild it. Li-Ion battery packs have circuitry that permenantly zaps an EPROM after a set number of recharge cycles. This is done to protect your system, I guess Li-Ion batteries don't die gracfully.

If your Li-Ion battery is not completely dead, but is definately in it's last days, you can find companies out there who can rebuild them and reset the charge counter before it kills the battery permenantly.