Dell Laptop Battery: Usage Guide

by | Feb 13, 2013 | Batteries

Recent Articles

Categories

Archives

Laptop batteries are a useful component to have around. They are convenient for those who frequently travel and can last up to four or more hours. There are a number of myths that make consumers hesitate when purchasing spare laptop batteries. For example, lithium-based batteries must be fully discharged before fully charging them is a common misconception. In fact, doing this can actually be harmful to your battery’s ability to hold a charge. Learn more about laptop batteries and how to properly care for them.

Removing the Battery
Should you remove your Dell laptop battery when the A/C adapter is plugged in? The answer to this common question is: sometimes. If your battery is already fully charged and you have the A/C adapter plugged in, the battery is no longer receiving energy. Therefore, it makes no difference if the battery is left within the laptop. However, it can be harmful to leave your laptop battery in if your laptop is plugged in and overheating due to the laptop hardware. To avoid excessive heating, remove the battery if the temperature of your system rises above 140 degrees F. If you prefer your battery left in, consider getting a replacement battery as this will be a cooled spare.

Battery Discharging
Some consumers wait until their Dell laptop battery is completely discharged to 0 percent before allowing it to recharge completely. This action is generally not healthy for the battery and can potentially damage it. It’s best to allow your battery to dwindle to 20 to 30 percent before allowing it to fully charge. Every 30 discharge cycles, you should perform a full discharge cycle that is non-stop without interruption.

Calibrating the Battery
A full charge by your laptop battery is known as a calibration. This process is easy to perform and can help lengthen the lifespan of your battery. For proper calibration, charge your battery to a full 100 percent. Allow your fully charged battery to sit uninterrupted for about 2 hours to allow it to fully cool. Reinsert the battery and unplug the computer’s A/C adapter and set your computer to hibernate automatically when it hits 5 percent. Leave your computer to discharge and it should hibernate at the automated 5 percent. In the meantime, you can use your computer. When the computer shuts down at 5 percent, allow it to stay in hibernation for at least 5 hours. Finally, plug in the computer with the A/C adapter and allow it to fully charge non-stop until it hits 100 percent.

website carries a wide assortment of laptop batteries suitable for nearly any major laptop brand. Learn more about our affordable laptop batteries by visiting our website .

Related Articles