Too Trustful of the Tech-Rep

Kazuaki Shimazaki · Post by **Kazuaki Shimazaki** » 2003-08-28 06:13am

My laptop Li-Ion battery has a severe problem. Its capacity loss is absurdly fast. It managed to go all the way from 4400mAH when new, and in about 90 cycles, it fell to about 3000mAH according to the packaged battery analyzer and optimizer. I "optimized" the battery, and lost about 100 more mAH. Yes, the optimization meant one more deep discharge, but the thing said it was supposed to optimize my battery after all.

Obviously, it was time to do something. So I got onto the Compaq tech support (I own a Presario 2107AP.) I told him the problem. He told me to try downloading a new ROM and doing something called a "power drain." The new ROM and emptying the circuits of residue power seemed to do no harm to anything, but no good either.

So I tried his last option - reconditioning the battery. I've heard that reconditioning is not needed for Li-Ion but he is the tech rep and I figured one deep discharge more or less won't hurt. Boy, was I wrong (maybe there was no real damage to my battery, but the Analyzer disagrees.)

I discharged it. All the way past the normal 5% limit (about then, usually the automatic Hibernation system cuts in and locks out your attempts to use the computer again.) All the way to zero. My voltage was like 13.4V when the average should be 14.8V (and typical full charges are 16V and up) when I finished.

I turned on the Analyzer, to find I've lost another bit of capacity. Not a BIT actually. My capacity was estimated now at only 2668 (over 300 mAH drop, dammit!)

Does anyone have any ideas left? I'm already deciding I'd have to replace the Battery. This time, I'd bury my head in the sand and never use the Battery Optimizer until the battery keeps falling dead while I do class. But I want to see whether I can use the old one for something.

From a desperate person without much money for spare batteries: Thank you in advance.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-08-28 09:22am

Sorry, Kaz, but you've just discovered the one big flaw with LiIon batteries - they lose capacity at an absurd rate, especially if you deep cycle.

My Compaq Armada M700 was barely getting 1.5hr or so towards the end and then one day the battery just completely gave up the ghost.

Kazuaki Shimazaki · Post by **Kazuaki Shimazaki** » 2003-08-28 10:15am

phongn wrote:Sorry, Kaz, but you've just discovered the one big flaw with LiIon batteries - they lose capacity at an absurd rate, especially if you deep cycle.

My Compaq Armada M700 was barely getting 1.5hr or so towards the end and then one day the battery just completely gave up the ghost.

Yeah, I know ion doesn't do well being deep cycled. BTW, you wouldn't know that reading that useless manual. It tells you you aren't supposed to shallow cycle, and that you should deplete it at least 50% each time.

But 300 mAH per deep cycle? Get real! There are only 15 cycles in the battery at that rate then!!!

My old laptop's Li-Ion must be a GREAT battery then. I deep cycled it (and countless shallower cycles) many times and it still showed no sign of serious degradation. Up to the end, I only consume about 60% of the battery for two hours (generally I take a full-charged battery, use about 10% for a bit of leisure on the bus,) then I begin using it for a two hour class.

I'd have to see if I can get those Compaq people to replace my battery for free. I might stand a chance, seeing that I only had the computer for two months. Of the 90 cycles, I guess about half were deep cycles and half were shallow cycles.

And worst of all, that idiot 5-minute battery tester still swears the performance of my battery is Good. What kind of person calls FIFTY percent or so remaining capacity a GOOD battery? Sheesh! I wonder whether my battery must be dead before it admits it is not "good."

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-08-29 09:43am

It's possible that you got a defective battery. Bitch at tech support and get elevated until you find someone who knows what the hell they're talking about.

Kazuaki Shimazaki · Post by **Kazuaki Shimazaki** » 2003-08-29 10:51am

phongn wrote:It's possible that you got a defective battery. Bitch at tech support and get elevated until you find someone who knows what the hell they're talking about.

Already did. They were wonderfully cooperative so far. They took away my battery. They think they can get me a replacement (if nobody else bitches) within two days at the quickest. I'd be happy if I got it in a week.