laptop battery?

[Spartana]

My laptop battery only lasts about 15 minutes when in the lowest power setting. I don't have anything running in the background and let the battery deplete before recharging. Any idea why this is? Any help for it other then getting a new battery? It's a Compaq Presario if that matters. :thankyou:

[Alan]

Now don't laugh when you read this but place your battery in a plastic bag and then put it in your freezer for 24 hours. Seriously!

Freezing a battery gels the electrolyte - which may be enough to overcome crystalization when charging it. When batteries go bad, the #1 cause is crystalization in the cells caused by low electrolyte which in turn changes the chemistry of the cells. This is especially true in lead-acid batteries. (provided the cells aren't FROZEN) Lithium-ion and other types don't crystalize as easily or at all..... most laptops are Li or cadmium. Cadmium batteries develop a memory if not deeply discharged frequently. Freezing them may cause the cells to short thereby "releasing the hold" on the memory and allowing a charge. How reliable this is is a matter of much speculation, but I've had success with it.

[lhamo]

Great tip, Alan!

Laptop batteries do wear out, though. I purchased my IBM thinkpad in 2006, and I am now on the third battery (second replacement). It seems like the last two batteries have lasted shorter time periods than the first one did. The batteries are expensive, too -- over $100 for the more powerful double cell ones. A big part of the motivation for buying the little netbook I am writing on now was that if it and its battery lasted three years that would be a good deal in comparison to just having to keep buying new batteries for the IBM.

I do still have the old batteries for the IBM and they will go in the freezer this weekend.

lhamo

[Gardenarian]

No explanation, Spartana, but I had a Presario that did the same thing.

[Aqua Blue]

I have a gateway that is less than a year old that I replaced the battery in. I did all of the things they tell you to do.

Alan, thanks for the tip, I will try that when this battery goes.



a

[Mrs. Hermit]

My Toshiba batteries only last 18 months or so before they start the slow slide to failing. I think I have 3 minutes of battery at this point--need to order new batteries!

[Rosemary]

Batteries don't last forever, even with the freezer trick (we've tried it). That said, I was able to replace my Dell laptop battery for $40 from a seller on Amazon - much lower cost than the name-brand battery.

[Spartana]

Thanks for the tips everyone - I'll try your idea Alan. Do I need to charge it BEFORE I freeze it or is it best to be uncharged and then charge it after freezing - or does it even matter? I've had this laptop and battery several years now so guess it might be time to get a new battery - or maybe a little netbook as I don't use it at home (and will soon be a homeless wandering waif again for a bit :-)!) so maybe a netbook or even a I=Pad or I=phone type thing would be best. Any suggestions in case the freezer thing doesn't work and I decide to get rid of the laptop?

[Alan]

Freeze it in whatever state it's currently in, then allow it to thaw, then charge it and see what happens.

If you're considering getting rid of the laptop and going smaller, I've become a fan of the iPad, but a netbook would be considerably cheaper.

[Gardenarian]

My Asus EEE netbook battery lasts for a few DAYS (that's with light use, but still, it never ceases to impress me.) And it's fast. $250 well spent.

[Spartana]

Well I tried the freezing thing but the battery didn't last much longer so I guess I need a new battery... or maybe a new computer. What are the phones (smart phones?) that have pretty big screens on them and are easy to get online with. I don't go online much so though something like that might be better then a cell phone, camera and laptop while travelling (which I hope to be doing several months a year starting next year). Any suggestions? Are there any that are sort pay as you go rather then monthly contracts? If you do get one with a monthly contract and you are travelling how would you pay it? Direct debit from your checking acct? From a credit card? Thanks!!