Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: funtimefrankie on August 20, 2011, 12:36:50 pm

Title: Laptop Battery
Post by: funtimefrankie on August 20, 2011, 12:36:50 pm
My laptop won't run on the battery.
The power icon says 12% available, plugged in not charging.
It runs OK off the mains adapter.
So I guess the battery's gone faulty?
do I buy a new battery in the hope it's not some thing faulty in the 'puter.
should I buy a secondhand one off ebay...£25ish or a new £49 one or a new £79 one..??????

problems...Problems
Title: Re: Laptop Battery
Post by: Netleyned on August 20, 2011, 01:09:04 pm
First thing
If you have a voltmeter check the battery voltage against the stated voltage.
If the voltage is ok the laptop battery management might be faulty
Most laptops battery management systems have a few options
for battery usage try another option to the one you are using.
If battery operation is a priority the get the makers replacement
cheaper ones are exactly that - cheap -

Ned
Title: Re: Laptop Battery
Post by: JB on August 20, 2011, 02:09:30 pm
My previous laptop's battery stopped working, I soon realised the battery was overheating too...not what you want! how old is the laptop/battery? I expect its on Win XP and yes there is battery management, its in the control panel under power options, you could try to rejuvenate it, try that before buying another, I wouldn't buy a used one myself, buy cheap pay twice usually, and its cost's even more then!

JB.

 
Title: Re: Laptop Battery
Post by: wbeedie on August 21, 2011, 04:31:56 pm
You can pick up laptop batteries off of Amazon new for thirty or forty pounds , and as said could work out cheaper in the long run, or if the lap top is less than a year old the maker will replace think it could possibly run into a rwo year guarantee
Title: Re: Laptop Battery
Post by: john s 2 on August 21, 2011, 08:35:06 pm
Under EU directive all electrical goods sold in the UK must be warrented for two years. Many suppliers try to weasel out on this.Normally a quick reminder of Trading standards jogs there memory.If not well thats what there for.John. 
Title: Re: Laptop Battery
Post by: malcolmfrary on August 25, 2011, 06:29:56 pm
If it runs OK off the charger then thats obviously giving the right amount of power out.  One item eliminated.  If the battery charge control in the laptop is misbehaving, that suddenly becomes a job for a man who knows.   A new battery will probably be cheaper to try than a trip to a repair shop and the basic charge for applying a coat of looking at.  A google for you model of computer plus something like "test battery charge" might reveal a forum where somebody has had the problem, and, more importantly, where somebody has given the answer.
If it is the battery that has gone past its sell by date, there are plenty of aftermarket suppliers.  I have used such a couple of times, about half the original manufacturers price, and no problems, other than the replacements claiming higher capacity.  One of the batteries involved was old in the first place, but the laptop had been set incorrectly for using battery power, left switched on, and the lithium battery died.  The other was just old.  That one charged, but flattened rapidly.  The other just failed to show a charge.
Title: Re: Laptop Battery
Post by: funtimefrankie on September 05, 2011, 08:42:24 am
New battery arrived from Hong Kong, fitted and charging,  can't comment on capacity yet.
Generally I've used it, in the past plugged in, I think I'll try and execise the battery a bit more this time.  (charge/discharge)