August 2017 – Page 12

Current Laptop Battery Technologies

Laptop battery technologies have continued to improve over the years, and the result has been lighter, smaller batteries that provide more power and charge more quickly. Here, we will take a look at the current technologies of laptop batteries, and some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Lithium-Ion

The most popular laptop battery technology in use today is lithium-ion. Li-ion batteries provide power when the lithium ions carry current from the negative electrode to the positive electrode. Ions move in reverse when charging. The main advantages of Li-ion batteries are their low price. It is one of the least expensive battery technologies to make. The batteries also have a very high power to weight ratio, which allows lightweight batteries to still provide a lot of power. Another advantage of Li-ion laptop batteries is they don’t suffer from the “memory effect” common in earlier battery technologies.

Lithium Polymer

As a subset of lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer uses a special polymer composite to hold the electrolyte that can be molded into almost any shape and still retain its functionality. This makes it easy to design a battery to fill the available space, and therefore provide more power. It carries most of the same characteristics of lithium-ion batteries, just in a more flexible format.

Nickel-Metal Hydride

Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are less common today, and have largely been replaced by Lithium-Ion technology. NiMH batteries are very rugged and resistant to damage and were used in laptops in previous years for this reason. Unfortunately, manufacturing a laptop NiMH battery is expensive, so it is less economical.

Nickel-Cadmium

Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) batteries are also very rugged and resistant to damage. While this made them a good choice for laptop batteries, they often exhibited the “memory effect” in which they would lose capacity if not charged and discharged correctly, which made them a poor choice for laptops as users typically are inconsistent in how they charge and discharge their batteries. It has also been replaced by lithium-ion technology.

Battery technologies continue to evolve, as laptop manufacturers, repair shops, and part retailers continue to look for lighter, more reliable and less expensive solutions to power their computers. While new technologies such as lithium polymer show great promise, others may be just around the corner, and consumers will continue to benefit from these innovations.

How a Laptop Battery Works

Laptops are made for portability and ease of use, so the battery is one of the most essential components, providing power when away from a wall outlet. Here we will look at how a laptop battery works.

The most laptop batteries use Lithium-Ion technology, or Li-ion. They are so-named because the movement of lithium-ions from a negative to a positive electrode as they travel through a non-aqueous electrolyte. This discharges the battery and releases the energy to power the laptop components.

The inside of a Lithium-Ion laptop battery consists of an anode made from carbon, a cathode made of metal oxide, and an electrolyte, which is a lithium salt in an organic solvent. The reaction is contained within multiple “cells” inside the battery. Batteries with larger capacities (and longer battery life) usually contain more cells. Some very large Toshiba laptop batteries can contain up to 12 cells. Some Sony laptop batteries contain as few as 3 Cells due to the ultra portable design of some of their machines. These will provide less battery life, but will keep the machine small and lightweight.

There are a number of chips in most batteries to control the charge and discharge, as well as a number of safety features. Many batteries have a chip which shuts down the battery in the event of extreme overheating to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

Charging the battery essentially works in the reverse of discharge. The power coming in through the AC adapter and the charging circuit actually provides a higher voltage than the battery’s normal operating voltage. This causes the lithium ions to move from the positive to the negative electrode and they are deposited in a porous material and stored for later use.

The outside of the battery is usually constructed of rigid plastic or metal, depending on the laptop model. The outer case usually incorporates vents to allow heat to escape, as heat can be very damaging to a battery. Most laptop batteries are color matched to the plastics of the notebook for aesthetic reasons.

The one disadvantage of Lithium-Ion batteries is that they tend to lose capacity over time. This is caused by deposits that form in the electrolyte of the battery. This begins to inhibit the battery’s operation and results in less charging capacity. Once the capacity gets low enough, the battery should be replaced.

While Lithium-Ion laptop batteries are currently the most popular, newer technologies such as lithium-polymer are stretching the boundaries of current laptop battery design. As laptop batteries continue to evolve, engineers will undoubtedly be able to provide more power, longer battery life, and reduced charge times to improve the portability of the laptop computer.

Picking the Correct Laptop AC Adapter

Choosing a laptop AC adapter replacement is fairly easy, but it is important to understand a few terms to ensure you get the proper replacement that is fully compatible with your laptop model. Using an incompatible adapter could cause damage to both the adapter and to your laptop, so it is imperative that you take a moment to understand the main points that differentiate laptop AC adapters.

An AC adapter converts the AC (alternating current) power coming from a wall outlet into DC (direct current) power that the laptop requires. Virtually all AC adapters will support the correct AC current, so the focus should be on finding an adapter that provides the proper DC current for your laptop’s model.

If you look on the original laptop AC adapter for your laptop you will see a number of specifications for the voltage, polarity, etc. for this adapter. You can sometimes find this information on the laptop itself as well. Look on the sticker at the bottom of the laptop for this info. Sometimes this information is also listed near the DC jack where the AC adapter is plugged into the machine. This will often read something like “DC18V 5A (MAX)”.

The first important number is the voltage. Common voltages are 15V, 16V, 18V, 19V, 20V, 22V, and 24V. The second most important number is the amperage, or amps. Common amp ratings are 6A, 5.6A, 4.7A, 4.5A, and 3.8A. It is important that both of these numbers match to ensure compatibility. Both of these numbers work together to produce the overall wattage of the adapter, which is the voltage multiplied by the amperage. So an 18.5 Volt 4.1 Amp HP AC adapter would end up with a rating of 75 Watts.

Another specific marking is the tip polarity which can be found on the brick portion of the adapter. This is a symbol with a + and – sign and a graphic indicating whether the tip or ring are positive or negative. If the positive circle is connected to the small center dot, for example, the adapter has a positive polarity, meaning that the tip is positive and the barrel is negative. Make sure the polarity of the AC adapter matches the laptop; most laptop AC adapters are center positive.

The last important factor of an AC adapter is the size of the tip. If the tip is too small or too large, it will not fit the connection point on your laptop. The tip is most often expressed as a measurement, such as the 6.3mm x 3.0mm tip used on some common Toshiba laptop AC adapters. Generally if you use your model number or the original part number you should not have to be concerned with the tip size.

To simplify the process, you may consider using an online parts supplier which can help you find compatible parts for your laptop model. Armed with the information above, however, you can make a very informed decision and know the part you are purchasing is compatible with your laptop.

Graphene – The Next Laptop Battery Innovation?

Laptop and battery manufacturers are constantly working to improve battery life and cut down on the time it takes to recharge a battery. A new material known as Graphene could help manufacturers improve both.

Graphene is a material being developed by a company called Vorbeck. They say it could result in laptop batteries that charge more quickly and also have a longer life than current lithium-ion technology used in batteries for HP laptops as well as others. As an example, a cell phone battery which uses Graphene could potentially charge in around 10 minutes instead of two hours.

Since current lithium-ion batteries transfer ions between electrodes, for power, it can take a long time for them to charge, and they are not necessarily efficient at storing power. Graphene could potentially improve on these points. It can store more ions, which could greatly increase battery life, and its high conductivity makes it easier and faster to move ions, which accounts for its faster recharge times.

Safety and overall battery life may be improved as well. Since Graphene is more conductive, it produces less heat, and batteries operate at lower temperatures. This is good for the battery and the device, promoting safer operation and is less likely to cause damage from excessive heat. The lack of heat is also what allows the batteries to charge more quickly, as current batteries are often limited to recharge rates to avoid creating too much heat. For most laptop batteries, like those used in Compaq laptops, it is standard to have a thermal sensor to read the internal battery pack temperature and adjust the charging voltage accordingly for safety.

Graphene batteries are potentially more rugged than current lithium-ion batteries. The materials are able to swell and flex without breaking down, unlike current technologies, which slowly lose capacity. This could lead to a much longer usable battery life before the battery needs to be replaced.

As better technologies continue to improve, companies like Vorbeck have the potential to revolutionize battery technologies with better materials that offer multiple improvements. Only time will tell if laptop manufacturers and retailers will adopt Graphene as the standard for future battery technology. It certainly shows promise in an area that is in need of improvement for laptop usability.

Pros and Cons of High Capacity Laptop Batteries

Outside of actual machine performance, battery life of a laptop is a huge selling point. After all, what is the machine worth if it lasts less than an hour off the charger? One way to increase the battery life of your notebook is to simply well, increase the size of the battery itself. However, size isn’t the only factor when it comes to buying a new battery.

The first thing you should look at is actually not the laptop’s battery. Take stock of your machine. Are you using a netbook, a notebook, or a desktop replacement PC? A netbook will usually have a fairly miniature screen, approximately 10 inches. A notebook will have a 14-15 inch screen, and entertainment notebooks or desktop replacement PCs will generally have 17 inch or larger screens. This is not conclusive, as the type is more defined by specifications and hardware, but it is a good general rule as it applies to power consumption. Smaller screens take less electricity to power, and a smaller machine also generally has smaller, less energy demanding hardware. A netbook battery like the Toshiba NB205 6 cell battery can last three times as long on the same capacity battery in a standard notebook under the right conditions; this is mainly due to the scaling down of the parts in the Toshiba NB205 versus that of a full sized notebook. Some entertainment notebooks and the like are not made to function for extended periods on batteries, rather they are meant to spend most of their time on their adapters, only functioning on backup power rarely as needed.

Once you know what you’re working with, assess where you need to take it. If you’re just typing papers for school on the machine, chances are you can find an outlet in your library or somewhere at home or on campus. However if you’re taking notes throughout all your classes, you may have less reliable access to outlets, and you will potentially be on battery power for a few hours at a time.

When purchasing an upgraded or replacement battery for your machine, the cells will be what indicate potential longevity. Three cell batteries aren’t widely used as they last for nearly negligible amounts of time off AC power. Six cell batteries and nine cell batteries are progressively more expensive, but they will power your machine two and three times longer than a three cell battery, respectively. They are also the most common sizes of battery purchased by consumers. Twelve cell batteries are available for heavy users, but can become sizably more expensive than others.

Keep in mind also that nine and twelve cell parts become progressively larger, adding bulk and weight to your machine and making it that much less portable or easy to take with you on the go. In these cases, you may want to consider simply carrying a second battery. Whichever choice you make on your laptop battery purchase, use a knowledgeable and high quality laptop battery supplier to be sure you get a fully compatible battery.

Common Issues that can Occur with a Laptop AC Adapter

As a crucial part of any laptop setup, laptop AC adapters supply power to the laptop battery, recharging it for portability. While problems with AC adapters are generally rare, there are a few issues that can crop up from time to time. Here we will examine some of the most common issues that can cause and AC adapter to fail.

Physical Damage

Since the Laptop AC adapter is an external component of a laptop setup, it can sometimes take more abuse than the machine itself. Adapters that are dropped, stepped on, or sustain other kinds of physical damage may stop functioning correctly and need to be replaced. It is important to care for your AC adapter just as you would the laptop itself, as it is a necessary part of your computer.

Cable Damage

While it could be grouped under the heading of physical damage, cable damage is perhaps the most common cause of an AC adapter malfunction, so it deserves its own category. Cables that have begun to wear out or have been bent too sharply may begin to fail and need to be replaced. Avoid wrapping cables too tightly or bending them to avoid these problems.

Overvoltage or Power Spike

Another common cause of AC adapter damage is a power outlet that temporarily supplies too much or too little voltage. This could be caused by a lightning strike, a power surge, or a brownout. While most AC adapters can adapt to these problems without damage, there is still a possibility they will fail. A surge protector will usually protect against surges and even lightning strikes, while an uninterruptible power supply with a battery backup can often protect against brownouts.

If your AC adapter needs replacing, you can find replacements online from laptop parts stores like Spareparts Warehouse. They carry a large assortment of Toshiba Laptop AC Adapters and Toshiba Laptop Parts as well as parts and accessories from other major manufacturers.

Troubleshooting a Laptop Battery issue

Laptop batteries have a limited life. Even in the best of conditions, a laptop battery eventually begins to lose some of its capacity, and will need to be replaced. If you suspect your laptop battery may be failing, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to assess the problem.

Run from AC power only

Most laptops will run fine from the AC adapter with a defective battery. If your laptop will not boot or will not run on battery power only, but runs fine on AC power, you could possibly have a bad battery which needs to be replaced.

Charge battery overnight with laptop off

Sometimes a weak battery can have trouble charging while the laptop is running. Try shutting down the laptop, connecting the AC adapter, and charging the battery overnight with the laptop off. If the battery still won’t charge, it probably needs to be replaced.

Use a battery diagnostic tool

An internet search for Battery Health will yield many results for tools that can assess the health of your laptop battery. In most cases, it can tell you the initial capacity of the batter as well as the current capacity. If the current capacity is less than half of the original, the battery likely needs to be replaced.

If possible, try another battery

This step may be more difficult, but if a friend or a repair shop has a battery that is compatible with your laptop, try installing this battery and see if the issues are still present. If installing the new battery makes the problem or problems go away, the battery needs to be replaced.

Batteries are one of the most likely parts to fail in any laptop, as they only have a limited life. When shopping for a replacement laptop battery, use a parts locator tool to find a battery that is compatible with your specific laptop model to ensure the best performance.

Replacing a laptop CMOS battery

When you begin receiving errors that your system doesn’t match the configuration, or you getting a warning in the BIOS that your battery is dead, you most likely need to replace your CMOS battery. The CMOS battery provides the motherboard just enough power to retain the CMOS settings for your laptop. If this battery dies, your machine will likely still function, but some of the stored parameters such as time and date will not be correct and any BIOS settings that are stored in CMOS would be lost also each time the computer is powered down.

Replacing the CMOS battery is not usually difficult, but the procedure can vary greatly depending on the laptop’s model. The easiest way to find specific instructions is to do an internet search for the term “service manual” and your laptop’s manufacturer and model. Often, you can find a PDF version of the service manual for your specific laptop, which will give you detailed instructions for repairs and upgrades.

Most CMOS batteries are located under the keyboard, which can require removing the keyboard. Other common locations are under the touchpad, behind the battery, and some are accessible from the bottom of the machine via a small plastic cover. While it is difficult to give detailed instructions for the multitude of laptop models on the market, here are a few guidelines for replacing the laptop CMOS battery.

Wear an anti-static wrist strap when disassembling any laptop. This reduces the risk of damage from static electricity.
Remove the battery completely and disconnect all power cables to avoid the risk of electric shock or damage to the laptop or notebook.
Remove the Keyboard or associated cover to expose the CMOS Battery and remove. Carefully keep track of all screws removed. Group and label them to avoid confusion when reassembling.
When prying ribbon cables or plastic parts apart, be gentle to avoid damaging sensitive components.

With some preparation and planning, replacing the CMOS battery should be possible for most users. If you cannot find a suitable service manual or you don’t feel confident in your abilities, it is a good idea to take it to a repair center.

Signs That It Is Time for a New Laptop Battery

Laptop batteries do not last forever. Even under the best conditions, a laptop battery loses some of its capacity over time, and eventually will need to be replaced. In addition, a number of problems such as over-voltage or under-voltage can cause a battery to fail prematurely. Here are most common signs that it may be time to replace your laptop battery.

If your battery is giving less than 50% of the battery life it was giving when it was new, it is probably time for a new battery. All batteries lose their capacity over time due to corrosion within the battery. Once this begins to affect capacity to a large degree, the battery should be replaced.

Windows and most operating systems will give an indication if there is a problem with the battery, assuming the manufacturer has designed the laptop to communicate with the battery. In many cases, you will get a warning message telling you to check or replace the battery.

Many batteries are equipped with one or more lights that indicate when it is charging and when it is finished charging. Some also give an indication of problems with these lights. Check your manual if your battery is flashing or blinking in a way you don’t recognize.

In some cases, even when the operating system or the battery doesn’t indicate a problem, the laptop will not run on battery power alone, but only when the AC adapter is connected. In this case, it is a good idea to replace the battery.

One of the surest ways to know if a battery is functioning correctly is to use battery health monitoring software. This will give an indication of the capacity left in the battery, and an indication of the battery’s overall health.

If you suspect your laptop’s battery is failing it is often a good idea to purchase a replacement. You can find an OEM or a compatible replacement by visiting an online parts store. Cases of a faulty battery causing damage to a laptop are very rare, but it is hardly worth the risk for a relatively inexpensive replacement.

Laptop Battery problems

While laptop battery technology is constantly improving, offering longer battery life and lighter laptops, all laptop batteries still have a limited life. Here we will look at some signs that it is time to replace your laptop battery.

Reduced Battery Life

The most common problem for laptop batteries is reduced battery life. It is an inevitable fact that laptop batteries eventually lose some of their capacity, and therefore, the amount of time they can supply power on a single charge. Even a battery that is used correctly will eventually begin to lose some of its capacity. The typical life for a lithium ion battery is around 2 years.

Very Short Battery Life

A typical laptop battery loses a certain amount of capacity over a period of time. If your laptop battery has lost a significant amount of capacity in a short period of time, it may be damaged, or may be exhibiting the “memory effect” that causes some older battery technologies to lose a large amount of capacity. Unfortunately, this often requires a new battery.

Battery Won’t Charge

If a laptop battery won’t charge or charges much slower than normal, it is most likely damaged. This damage can be caused be extreme heat or other problems, but a battery that won’t charge usually needs to be replaced. If the laptop won’t run on either battery power or its AC adapter, however, the problem is most likely not the battery, but the AC adapter or power supply.

If you suspect your laptop battery needs to be replaced, it may be helpful to use a battery diagnostic tool to check the status of your battery. Do an internet search for the term battery diagnostic tool. These tools can give you information on the life, capacity, and health of your battery. If your battery needs replacing, it is recommended that you replace it as soon as possible to avoid damaging your laptop or other safety risks posed by a bad battery. You can check with an online parts locator, to determine your appropriate battery replacement.