How to extend a Laptop Battery's Life

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How to extend a Laptop Battery's Life

Laptop batteries can be of 3 kinds - Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Ion (LiON). They differ in cost, weight and specifications.

Lithium Ion (LiON) batteries are usually recommended to use in technically advanced makes of laptops. These batteries are powerful enough to run laptops as well as accessories, such as mp3 players, DVD players and USB devices.They are lighter than NiCd and NiMH batteries and have not got any memory effect.If exploited properly, LiON batteries usually work for almost three years, but it is necessary to point out that the three-year period begins as soon as batteries are actually produced and not when they are actually used. It is time to change a battery when the pc cannot run any longer unless connected to the main supply of electricity through an adapter. Below are some guidelines to prolong laptop battery's longevity

.• Frequent complete discharges of a laptop battery shorten its life. Partial discharges with frequent recharges are better for LiON batteries than a full discharge. Recharging partially charged LiON batteries is safe, because there is no memory. Short laptop battery's life in a laptop chiefly hangs upon the high temperatures rather than charge - discharge patterns.

• Batteries with fuel gauge (laptops) should be calibrated by applying a deliberate complete discharge after thirty charges. Otherwise, the fuel gauge will become considerably less precise and in some cases will cut off the laptop prematurely.

• A lithium-ion pc battery should be kept cool.

• Remove a laptop battery from a laptop when it is run on a fixed power. (Some laptop makers express concern for moisture and dust accumulating inside the battery casing.)

• Avoid buying spare LiON batteries for later use. Pay special attention to dates of manufacture. Do not buy old stock, even if it is sold at reduced costs.

• If you have a spare lithium-ion laptop battery, use one to the full and keep the other one cool by putting it into the fridge. Do not freeze the pc battery. For optimal results, store the battery at 40% state-of-charge.Before exploiting any pc, remember to read a manual supplied.