subject: How To Protect Your Li-ion Battery [print this page] Most laptop and notebook computers have batteries in the computer itself, and when you plug the battery into the power cord and transformer, it begins to charge. Proper care and maintenance should be taken to protect a lithium-ion battery pack and allow the battery to live up to its full capacity.
Lithium-ion batteries are long-lasting, rechargeable and used in a variety of devices--including laptop computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs)--where disposable batteries would not be feasible. The batteries' cells are replenished in a special charger designed to protect the cells from overcharging. When a lithium-ion battery is allowed to totally discharge for a long period of time or the battery is losing its charge quickly, the lithium-ion battery needs resetting. Once reset, the battery is restored to its full capacity.
A lithium-ion, or li-ion, is a type of rechargeable battery. It is commonly used in many household electronic products, such as cell phones, laptops, digital cameras battery and camcorders and rechargeable household appliances. If the battery is not going to be used for over a month, it should be removed from the electronic product it's powering and stored. This helps prolong the life of the battery and ensures the battery does not leak or corrode in the electronic product.
Protect your Dell batteries from extreme temperatures by keeping them stored or used in areas where the temperature is regulated. The only reason to put the battery in extremely cold temperatures is to shock it if it does not hold a charge. Even then, it needs to be protected with a thick layer of newspaper.
Protect lithium-ion batteries from heat from the laptop, notebook and other devices by removing the battery and place the battery on a table or somewhere not lit by direct sun so it can cool to room temperature.
Alternate lithium-ion batteries if your device came with multiple batteries. Some devices, such as laptops, come with a spare battery pack. Use them alternately to prolong the life of each battery.
Recondition, or calibrate, the Laptop Battery every six months and when you are ready to use the battery again. Reconditioning the battery involves draining the battery and recharging the battery, three to five times depending on the size of the battery. Reconditioning ensures all of the batteries cells are used and keeps them functioning.
Remove the object from the item it's powering. Never store a battery in an electronic product if you are not planning on using the battery for longer than a month.
Lithium-ion batteries are long-lasting, rechargeable and used in a variety of devices--including laptop computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs)--where disposable batteries would not be feasible. The batteries' cells are replenished in a special charger designed to protect the cells from overcharging. When a lithium-ion battery is allowed to totally discharge for a long period of time or the battery is losing its charge quickly, the lithium-ion battery needs resetting. Once reset, the battery is restored to its full capacity.
Remove the lithium-ion battery from the device if the device has an external lithium-ion battery charger. Match up the metal contacts on the side of the lithium-ion battery with the metal contacts in the charger.
Turn the charger off. The state-of-charge circuit is now reset. Disconnect the battery and return it to the device it powers. It's best to use the device immediately for a short period to drain some of the charge. Lithium ion batteries last longer if they are not left at full charge.
