Service Info > How to Extend Laptop Battery Age (Lithium-ion)

How to Extend Laptop Battery Age (Lithium-ion)

Service Info > In the previous article about the "consider replacing your battery", I've shared about my experience in dealing with such problems. 

Because of that incident, I have been diligently searching for information on the battery in the hope of finding tips that my battery is already showing signs of "aging" can be durable and long lasting. Well, in this article I want to share the tips to laptop battery to be durable and long lasting.

First, note that the battery can be in-charge (rechargeable battery), there are several types. Which is often used for general electronic goods usually are Nickel-based (NiCd), and Lithium based (Lithium-ion). For laptops, this time almost certainly all use Lithium-ion type. Besides being able to store more power, Lithium-ion batteries are also more environmentally friendly than NiCd batteries are highly toxic.

Knowing the different types of batteries are very important because they are very different characteristics. In the NiCd battery, electrolytes in it will come under (at the base) due to gravity, when stored too long (in storage). 

That's why when buying a new NiCd battery, it is advisable to charge at least 8 hours (optimally 16-24 hours) before first use. However, often when buying electronic equipment that uses the battery stores (sellers) advised to charge the battery at least 8 hours before first use though not a NiCd battery type.

Another mistaken assumption that the battery should be used to really (want to) run out before may be in-charge again. Again this applies to NiCd, where the batteries of this type there is the phenomenon of "memory effect", ie as if the battery is able to "remember" the amount of power that filled in when the last charging. So for example kapasitanya NiCd batteries are 65% and then in-charge until full (which means charging as much as 35%), the battery will be considered as if the capacity is down to 35%. But again, this does not apply to the type Lithium-ion battery.

Battery type Lithium-ion batteries are now also used for many other electronic devices such as mobile phones or digital cameras. So the tips below you can also apply for your gadgets that use Lithium-ion battery type. The following tips:

For first time use battery charge normally. As explained above, charge the battery for at least 8 hours for the first time applies only to the types of Nickel-based batteries. For Lithium-ion battery, no difference between charging the 1st, 5th, or the 500. In fact, if in-charge for too long can lead to overcharging which makes battery life shorter.

 

Charge the battery regularly in short intervals without having to wait until the battery is (almost) gone. Battery type Lithium-ion batteries are not familiar with the phenomenon of "memory effect" like NiCd batteries. Even the results of the study indicate that the batteries are used in-charge when the capacity is still 70% - 75% aged 5-6 times longer than a battery that is often in-charge when the capacity is almost exhausted.

 

(Supplement to December 27, 2011) If you use the notebook for long, do not unplug the charger. If you use the notebook to linger, while new notebook turned on, do not unplug the charger and plug the charger even if the battery is full again. This applies to the battery on the new notebook is provides "auto controll" so without having to unplug the charger even if the battery can still be controlled and can be treated well.

Keep the temperature is not too hot. High temperature is the enemy number one battery because heat will accelerate the degradation state of the cells in the battery. For that as much as possible put / keep the laptop in a cool place and avoid direct sunlight. The habit of putting the laptop in the car in direct sunlight should also be avoided if you do not want the battery life is reduced drastically.

 

Set the air circulation to keep it smooth. Avoid putting your laptop on a mattress or pillow as this will interfere with air circulation resulting in a faster laptop heat. The most practical way is to use coolpad. Coolpad is a cheap simple tools can be very useful especially to keep the temperature from getting too hot laptop. Moreover, after using a laptop, you should set aside some time to make the laptop cooler before being fed into a laptop bag.

 

If want to save the battery for a long time, keep a cool place with a capacity of 40%. There is a study that compared the battery is stored in a battery capacity of 40% is stored with a capacity of 100%. As a result, the stored battery with a capacity of 100% capacity loss experienced greater than 40%. I use this knowledge to my digital camera that is not too often I use (I usually wear weekend only, and even then not every week). Once every completed using a digital camera, I always charge to the brim with ideas so that later on when it will be used is immediately ready for use. But not anymore. Now I charge a digital camera to be used only when it is full.

 

Use energy-efficient laptops. With the use of energy-saving laptop battery life that can last longer. There are several ways to save battery life, all of which have been discussed in the article Battery Saving Tips on Notebook / Laptop this.

In addition to the above tips, you should also be diligent to check the condition of your laptop battery. If you are using HP brand, then you can use the app Battery Check is in the HP Support Assistant to see the technical data of your laptop battery. In addition, there is also a free application that can be used BatteryCare also for this purpose.

 

Well, so are a few tips on how to prolong the life of your laptop battery. For those of you who are curious and want to dig deeper, I suggest you visit:

Battery University

Elektropaedia

At both sites you can read various explanations and research on batteries, along with a variety of data, tables, and diagrams are complete.