Replacing laptop battery questions

11 years ago

We have a 2011 Dell Inspiron 17, N1070, XP os laptop.

Most all the time when in use it connected to AC current, battery has seldom run down.

A few months ago started receiving messages, "you need to replace your battery", then more messages "you Need to replace battery soon". Computer stilled worked. A few days ago while using it began to act strange, went blank and black. Shut off and rebooted. Message came up "plugged in and not recharging" but computer would work with message popping up. Gave that message for about 3 days and then just this am I checked battery status and it said" 63% full and charging, soon it read 100% charged.

Again I am saying this laptop seldom used by battery only, usually connected to AC current.

Yesterday began to check in on a new battery. Dell says to use only a Dell replacement battery, and I must order from Dell as cannot not find in retail stores near. A battery store has a Ray O Vac one to fit and they guarantee it would work. We came home without, had to think.

My Questions:

1- Do I need to replace with a Dell or would the other brands
work as well? Is replacements that are offered on Amazon
and other websites okay to order?

2- Learned there were 6 cell and 9 cell batteries. which would be
better, still going to use mostly with AC current. (I need to
check this battery out for cell size, I will do).

3- Is this battery really as dead as the messages says it is after
using so much with AC or is this a scare tactic message from Dell because of the age. 3 1/2 years is really pretty good for a
battery.

Any advice or comments on this subject is very much appreciated.
We are very very Senior Citizens trying to stay in the game but get so tried of all the new learning and changes. Our minds just spins sometimes. I spend considerable time on the Cooking Forum and
have learned so much there, lurked here lots just reading and absorbing the posts, my first to post here.

Thank you in advance.

Shirl

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Comments (7)

aputernut
11 years ago
Try running on battery and run completely down, then recharge fully. it's good to run down once in awhile, then fully charge.
chas045
11 years ago
I doubt that Dell is trying to over sell batteries, but I agree that since it can say it is charging And you were supposedly running on ac when you got the blank screens, that something is off. Might I suggest that perhaps the ac connection plug at the computer is intermitant. If it shows a light when connected, is it sometimes off?

I have had batteries in general fail soon or last a long time. I did have a battery that would charge to 100% and only last 10 minutes and then only 5 minutes or less and discharge rapidly while sitting, so that could be the problem. Personally, I would buy a cheaper battery since long running time is not an issue for you. You could consider it a diagnostic test. Problem goes away; it was the battery. Problem stays; its something else.
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exgm
11 years ago
In numerous cases, Dell in particular, if you flip over the laptop there is a pushbutton on the battery and a series of LEDs that light up to indicate the level of charge when you push the button (assumes the charge circuit is operational and that the battery can hold a charge). I would start by checking Dell's website to see if the battery is part of any recall, many were.
If you rarely use it on battery I wouldn't spend any extra on a larger capacity one. Third party ones should be used with caution, quality is often lacking.

Personally I have used Lenmar replacements, for laptops and camcorders, when competitively priced. So far I have been lucky, some reviewers seem to diss them.

I would definitely factor in the cost of a new battery vs purchase of a new warrantied unit also.
mikie_gw
11 years ago
Use it on battery - see how long it works.
Charge it and use it till it runs it down a 2nd time.
About the only way to tell what kind of life is left.

If always on a/c power maybe just leave it out and put your adapter on a UPS.. small nice ones retail about $69 and sometime online maybe for half that price. Watch which batteries it has... 3-5yrs is the better sealed lead acid ones that actually do last that long.
exgm
11 years ago
I have yet to see a lead acid battery on any laptop, conceded they may exist. I can easily rig a gel-cell for an external power supply no problem, but it sure won't be integrated into the unit.

NiCad, NiMh and Lith Ion are the predominant types in order of age, Lith Ion currently dominant.
mikie_gw
11 years ago
Actually what I said.... sealed lead acid ... usually is a AGM sealed lead acid battery ---- for a UPS.

This post was edited by mikie on Sun, Oct 12, 14 at 18:04
exgm
11 years ago
@mikie, my bad.
Still, I'd put that investment into a new battery, ups is rather a restrictive tether.