Today I decided to use a company that services laptop batteries instead of buying new. It cost me $65 + $10 to ship off the battery and then have it shipped back. Pretty good shipping charge if you ask me.
They replace the internals in order to give you full power back, which for me is 6600mah. Since this TR is my first laptop for me to use as my main computer (I had a Dell I used on occasion before, but not as a replacement), I didn’t realize leaving the battery in the laptop while having it plugged in all the time was the wrong thing to do. I will make sure to leave it out of the laptop while having it plugged in, making sure to fully charge and discharge it accordingly.
I will let you all know how the replacement works when I get it!
Wooo, I didnt know that leaving the battery in while having the AC adapter plugged in is not a good thing. Doesnt the laptop still consume power from the outlet?. If so, how would that affect the battery. I usually have my TR plugged in with the battery in.. yikes. Hey thanks for the heads up. I think there is a thread in the forum on how to replace your own cells in the battery.
I didn’t know about this either. But then again, I never used a laptop as my primary computer either. Also, I didn’t want to attempt to replace my own battery internals because it is not recommend. I think $75 is ok to have the battery back to new without me messing with it. Here is a direct quote from About.com:
“When using a laptop as a desktop replacement, the battery should not be left in for long periods of time. The laptop will over time discharge the battery. Remove the battery – making sure that it is charged to 40% and store it in a dry, warm place. Ensure that it is wrapped protectively and nothing will be dropped on it.
The battery should be re-installed every 3-4 weeks and allowed to fully discharge. Leaving a battery in storage for longer than this without using could cause the battery to fully discharge as the circuitry of the battery itself consumes power.
Leaving a battery in a laptop while using an electrical outlet for long periods of time will keep the battery in a constant state of charging up and that will reduce the life cycle of the battery.
Remember that when you have removed the battery from a laptop while using with an electrical outlet – the automatic battery backup is no longer functional. Make sure to plug your laptop into an uninterrupted power source (UPS) not directly into an outlet or surge protector.”
I don’t really know…no matter what you do, your battery won’t last forever. If you charge it and use it daily, or charge it and never use it, or charge it and use your notebook plugged in.
Yes, your extending the life by not using it and storing it charged, but that doesn’t mean in 5 years from now it will still hold a decent charge. Batteries are like tires, even if they sit, they still go bad.
I have to agree with you Erik. Once I get my laptop battery back, I am going to only plug in once I need to re-charge. I want to use the battery all the time so that it can last longer and feel that is the best way. Of course, I am not looking for it to last a crazy amount of years, but if I can get at least a year and a half out of the re-charge I am doing, I will be happy!
I couldn’t figure out why my wife’s Vaio battery went to almost 10 minutes of mobile time when she bought it brand new and had had it for only 6 months. It was because I kept it plugged in all the time wherever possible. My TR battery has about the same amount of time, but that is to be understood since the battery is over 3 years old. So if I decide to replace my wife’s battery, I will be sure to do the same thing with hers.
If the TR series had the ability to add more battery power like the IBM Thinkpad T series, that would be a great feature!
When I posted the link yesterday, I didn’t have time to comment. There is a very old thread on this subject.
The three factors seem to be
Time.. no matter what you do the battery will lose capacity over time, 2-3 years for significant impairment.
Charge cycles. Once charged, the onboard controller stops charging. There is no advantage here in removing the battery.
Heat. Frankly from the location of the TR’s battery pack the only time it’s ever felt really warm to me was when charging.
I have a TR3AP that just passed its 3rd anniversary. The TR has seen daily use, usually for hours at a time. The battery has only been off to force a reset or fiddle inside. I show 120 charge cycles and the battery is close to 70% of original capacity.
I really don’t think removal and storage (with the attendant concern of remembering to periodically recharge) would have bought me any significant improvement. I would certainly have lost convenience, since the ideal storage charge level is 40%.
I’ve gotten good value from my battery, it’s just time for a new one.
That was an incredibly informative link. I almost feel like a battery expert after reading that one! Thanks for the reference dbs, it is much appreciated.
I should be getting my battery back in about a week or so. I look forward to it!
That was an incredibly informative link. I almost feel like a battery expert after reading that one! Thanks for the reference dbs, it is much appreciated.
I should be getting my battery back in about a week or so. I look forward to it!
Glad you found it of value.
I did, when I first got my TR my intent was to buy a second high-capacity battery. The link convinced me to try living with the standard battery or at least put off the purchase for a year or so.
Now I’m thinking of picking up a new high-capacity and using the old battery for a little extra when I need it.
As promised, here is my report on getting a reconditioned battery. Please note that I have yet to fully test it in the laptop, but according to this company, the battery is supposed to have “20 to 40% longer battery life in one single charge compared to an original manufactured battery”. I look forward to this if it is true.
Unfortunately though, the battery looks messy. I read every single FAQ on their site and according to #15: “Laptop batteries are not designed so that they can be easily opened. Some minor blemishes are unavoidable. However, laptop batteries are usually attached on the bottom or inserted into the laptop body so the marks will be barely noticeable. If the battery appearance is more important, and money is not an issue, we suggest you purchase a new battery.” Fair enough and I was warned, but I will let you all judge for yourselves. Honestly, if I was not painting my laptop, I would be a very unhappy customer, even if the battery holds so much extra charge. I also wouldn’t mind it so much if the oval looking part of the battery was hidden when put into place, but as we all know, those ovals are visible since this is an “extended life” battery style.
Not to mention that when I tried to put the battery back in the laptop, it wouldn’t quite click into place easily. Before, you could put it into place and basically let the weight of the battery click it into place. Now I have to push hard to get it to click, BUT I can’t use the “lock battery” clip.
I agree dana. I don’t accept this condition and again, I am lucky I will be painting my computer because otherwise, this is a huge eyesore. I expected SOME small scratches but this is beyond that. I even sent an email to the one rep and general email and still have no reply from them. I sent them the link to this board. Nothing.
I don’t know if I want to put their link here because I would hate for them to get any business from it because someone else decides to try their own luck. What do you think? Do I need an admin to allow me to do this as well even though I am not obviously happy with them?
I don’t know if I want to put their link here because I would hate for them to get any business from it because someone else decides to try their own luck. What do you think? Do I need an admin to allow me to do this as well even though I am not obviously happy with them?
I doubt your experience would prompt many people to give them a try. As for posting their name or link, that’s pretty much why most of us come here; to learn from others experiences and evaluations. If you’re concerned, let’s see if tifosiv or gr00vy have anything to say.
I will post the site address anyway. I will say that so far, the battery works wonderfully. It was recommended by them to “cycle” the battery 5 times to reach full potential of the battery. I am on the third cycle and so far, it is performing well. But again, I will never have a battery worked on by them. I will just buy new.
I have finally cycled my battery 5 times as it was recommended. To be honest, the replacement cells they put into the battery are terrific. When completely charged, I get a reading of 180+ minutes available. I have used it many times for more than 2 hours with a couple of times past 2.5 hours. I have also watched a complete 2 hour movie as well.
I will give them credit for that, but nothing else. I STILL have heard nothing from them in regards to the comments I emailed. To close up my review, I will not buy from them again.
Another quick update. Since I have done all the proper cycling with the battery and still do, I can get as much as 4 hours + with this battery. When watching a movie, I can watch for 2.5 hours and sometimes longer. Pretty good!
Still wouldn’t give my business back to that company though.
