Battery UK

Read First: All laptops are different, however, they usually share similarities when it comes to taking out the main battery. That being said, all of the newer MacBooks from Apple use integrated batteries that generally require service to remove.

If you are using a Windows or Linux based laptop, this page provides a general idea on how to remove the laptop battery. If you are replacing a laptop battery, you can insert the new battery after removing the old battery.

Note: Many ultrabook laptops have batteries that are not accessible from the outside of the laptop. Removing the battery will require the help of a repair technician to open the laptop.

Removing the battery

1. If your laptop is plugged in, either unplug it or disconnect the power cable.
2. Turn your laptop over so the bottom is facing up.
3. Locate the battery latch on the bottom of the computer. The image to the right shows some of the more common battery latches found on laptops.
4. To remove the battery, slide the latch switch to the opposite side and hold it in that position until the battery is released.
5. On some laptops, the battery pops out on its own. On others, you’ll need to pull it out gently with the tips of your fingers.

Other situations

Although most laptops only have one latch, there are some that require you to slide two latches to remove the battery. On these laptops, the latches will still look similar to the examples above, but require you to move both at the same time, usually towards each other.

Finally, there are also some older laptops (IBM laptops) that require the latch to be pulled out and then pushed towards the battery.

No battery latch found

If you cannot find any battery latches or buttons for releasing the battery on the bottom of the laptop, it is possible the laptop utilizes a different mechanism to release the battery. The laptop may also need to be serviced by a licensed repair facility to have the battery removed through partial or full disassembly.

We recommend referring to the laptop documentation or check the manufacturer’s website for steps on how to remove the battery or if servicing is required to remove the battery.

 

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Below are suggestions and tips that can be followed to help improve and maximize the overall life of your laptop computers battery.

Full initial charge

After purchasing a new laptop computer or battery for your laptop, we recommend that the battery be charged for no less than 24-hours. A 24-hour charge makes sure the battery is fully charged and helps with the batteries life expectancy. Once it is fully charged, you should not discharge it fully, if possible.

Remove battery if not in use for a long period

If you are mostly using the laptop computer while it is plugged into a wall outlet keep the battery out of the computer.

If you do not plan on using your laptop for more than a month the battery should be removed from the computer, even if it is kept off.

After putting the battery back in after it has not been used we suggest fully charging it before letting it run off the battery again.

Fully discharge and recharge

If your battery is not a Li-ion battery it is always recommended to fully discharge and recharge your battery at least once every month.

Avoid extreme temperatures

Not only is it good for your battery but it is also for your laptop to keep it out of extreme hot or cold temperatures. For example, do not leave your laptop in your car during a hot summer day.

Clean the contacts

Clean your laptop battery contacts with a cotton swab and alcohol every few months.

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What is “External Laptop Battery” or “Universal Laptop Battery” or

“Universal External Laptop Battery”? How does it work?

As you know a laptop battery consists of a number of battery cells

inside. A pack of cells, produces the correct amount of voltage and

current to power the laptop.  This is the reason laptop batteries are

often called laptop battery packs.

External laptop batteries, as the name suggests, do not fit inside the

battery bay of the laptop.  They simply sit outside, plugged into the

laptop by the necessary cables.  These batteries consists of a greater

number of cells.  Allowing for a greater capacity to power the laptop

for a longer time.

Standard laptop batteries have an internal circuitry with chips to

control the flow of current etc, Universal laptop batteries contain

these circuitry, but the tips that plug into the laptop detect the

voltage and current.  The various tips that are supplied with the

external laptop battery allows it to be used with almost any brand of

laptop.

Universal external laptop batteries, give extended capacity/running

time and if you change your laptop it still can be used.

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Smart batteries have internal circuit boards with smart chips which

allow them to communicate with the notebook and monitor battery

performance, output voltage and temperature.

Smart batteries will generally run 15% longer due to their increased

efficiency and also give the computer much more accurate “fuel gauge”

capabilities to determine how much battery running time is left before

the next recharge is required.

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Always check your computer manual for the correct ratings and the type

of Adaptor that your machine requires.  Adaptors are usually rated by

Watts/Wattage(W).  You can calculate the Wattage by multiplying

Volts(V) with Amps(A).  This information is found on the label on the

underside of the notebook computer.

It is always best to match the wattage of the notebook and the AC

adaptor.  An AC adaptor with a higher wattage can be used with a

notebook with a lower wattage rating. However, an AC adaptor with a

lower wattage rating cannot be used with a notebook with a higer

rating.  The notebook will be underpowered and may not boot up

properly.

The AC adapter will get hot whilst it is plugged in and being used.

This is normal. Any device that gets hot will require ventilation. Good

ventilation prolongs the life of the device and avoids any accidental

damage.

Some points to consider:

The led light, on most AC adaptors should stay constant when plugged in

to the wall socket or AC power supply and switched on and plugged into

the notebook computer.  If the light flickers or blinks then check all

connections and check the power lead.  It may also turn out that the

adaptor is simply faulty.

The AC adapter will get hot whilst it is plugged in and being used.

This is normal. Any device that gets hot will require ventilation. Good

ventilation prolongs the life of the device and avoids any accidental

damage.

If you have several different notebooks, all of which are different

types and made by different manufacturers, you can still use one

charger.  Universal AC adaptors are supplied with different tips which

enables you to plug it into different notebook computers.  However, you

cant charge more than one notebook at a time.

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There are two ratings on a laptop battery, Voltage (V) and
Milliamp-hours (mAh).  Voltage is the rate at which energy is drawn
from a battery and Milliam-hours represents the capacity of the
battery.

The Voltage rating has to MATCH that of the original battery or as
recommended by the laptop computer manual.  Using a battery with a
different voltage setting can damage the laptop.

Since the mAh rating represents the capacity and correalates to the run
time of the battery. If the rating is higher than the original battery,
then the replacement battery will run for a longer time and if the
rating is lower then the replacement battery will run for a shorter
time.

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A question recently asked was, “Can I upgrade my Laptop Battery to a

newer chemistry?”

If the laptop has been pre-configured by the manufacturer to accept

more than one type of rechargeable battery, then the answer is yes.

The different types of batteries requires a different charging patterns

to be properly recharged and used in the laptop.  Always refer to your

laptop computer manual or contact your manufacturer to find out which

battery types can be used in your laptop.

Nickel Cadmium (NiCad,NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium

Ion (LiIon, Li-Ion) are the three major types. Due to health and safety

and inefficencies, Nickel Cadmium and  Nickel Metal Hydride batteries

are either discontinued or in the process of being discontinued.

Lithium Ion is relatively new and popular type.  There is an even newer

type, Litium Polymer Ion or Lithium Polymer.  This is much more

efficient and offers better power to weight ratio.

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Do Not short circuit a battery – Carrying or storing the battery withother metal objects like coins, paper clips and hair pins can cause the battery to short circuit and may generate a lot of heat.

Do Not expose the battery to moisture or rain – Electricity and water doesnt go together. Again can short circuit the battery, or when inserted into the Laptop can damage the laptop.

Do Not expose the battery to heat – Keep the battery away from sources of heat, fire and even direct sunlight. Aids the chemical reactions within the battery and can result in an explosion!!

Do Not throw away your battery – Dispose of your battery responsibly. Please recycle all batteries as they contain chemicals which are harmful to the environment.

Do Not mix old and new batteries – Mixing different types of batteries and using different types of batteries is extremely dangerous. Can cause rupture, leakage resulting in personal injury and damage to laptop.

 

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A question everyones mind, How do you get the most out of the battery???  What can I do to make it last longer???

* Use the AC adapter whenever possible, but not all the time. Use the battery on its own as well.

* Set the Windows Power Management settings to maximum savings.

* Lower the brightness setting on the screen backlight.

* Disconnect any unused devices (e.g., modems, wireless LAN cards) when not needed.

* Disable Auto Insert Notification on the CD-ROM.

* Turn off Autosave features.

* Disable automatic formatters, spell checkers, and autorecalculate features.

* Add more RAM to lower disk access time.

* If you have a backup battery, use it in rotation with the current battery.

* Use the Suspend or Hibernate feature when taking a break or a long break.

* Fully drain and recharge the battery every couple of months, this helps to recalibrate the smart electronics even if the cells are fine.

* Minimize the number of programs running at the same time.

* Check the power save settings under the BIOS. If this is not enabled

then the Windows Power Management settings may not work properly.

* If you are taking the battery out to store it, make sure it has atleast 40 – 50% charge. DO NOT fully charge it or discharge it before storage.

* Use smaller programs when possible (e.g., WordPad versus Word).

* Minimize game play and DVD viewing.

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• Will the main battery fit as a second battery?

No, the main battery will not fit as a second battery in the bays. A specially designed bay battery is required to fit in the bays as a second battery.

• I cannot find a replacement battery for my laptop, What can I do?

As newer models are released into the market older laptop models are discontinued and accessories for these models become scarce or even non-existent. Several manufacturers have come up with innovative ideas to overcome these problems, such as universal batteries. Several tips are provided to connect different brands of laptops.

• I have broken the latch on my battery, Can the latch be replaced?

No, as the latch is part of the battery the whole battery needs to be replaced.

• I have lost/broken the fascia panels that came with the battery, Is it easy to replace them?

No, these fascia panels can be very hard to source and can be expensive for the purpose they serve. It might be easier and cheaper to purchase a new battery.

• My battery has a crack in its casing, Can I use it?
• I dropped my battery, Is it safe to use?

By dropping the battery, you may have damaged the cells inside. If this is the case then the battery would cease to function normally. Also inspect the battery carefully after dropping it. Check for any cracks on the plastic casing, any damage on the metallic contacts or any signs of leakage. If you find any of these it will be dangerous to continue using the damaged battery.

• My new battery seems to be a little tight fitting into the compartment, Can I use force?

Usually, you can use a little force. As long as the shape, size and all other physical attributes are exactly the same as the old one. Make sure the battery is the correct part for your notebook computer. If in doubt, do not use any force at all to avoid the risk of damaging both the battery and your notebook computer.

• How do I dispose of my battery? Should I recycle it?

Yes, all batteries should be recycled and not disposed of like most perishable items. Due to the chemicals and other substances used, batteries should be recycled as it would be harmful for the environment. Ask your supplier in the first instance whether they have a recycling procedure.

 

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