Laptop Battery and AC Adaptor - How does it all work?

16 years ago

IÂve had my Toshiba laptop for over 13 months now, and IÂm noticing the battery life is lower. I unplug my laptop about twice a day, and use it on battery power. I think IÂve been doing things all wrong, though, because apparently I should be getting longer battery life (I found this out after doing some internet searching on batteries today).

HereÂs what IÂve been doing since I got the laptop: I connected the AC Adaptor into the laptop, then I plugged the AC Adaptor into my surge protector, which is in turn plugged into the wall outlet. Whenever I want to use my laptop away from the outlet, IÂve unplugged the AC Adaptor from the computer. Then IÂm able to use the computer for 1.5 hours (or so) (at least in the beginning) Â now itÂs closer to an hour, or less.

Then, after I would get the notice that my battery was low (say, 5 minutes left), I would plug my laptop back into the AC Adaptor (turned off power to the surge protector first and then on once connected to laptop), and the battery would then recharge. But, thatÂs all IÂve been doing. IÂve been leaving the battery inside the laptop while itÂs fully charged, and connected to the AC Adaptor and wall outlet. I guess my questions are: 1. Should I be leaving the battery in the laptop? 2. Should I keep the AC Adaptor plugged into the computer, or can I just plug the laptop right into the surge protector without the AC Adaptor? Is the AC Adaptor just for recharging the battery, or does it protect the computer, too? I really donÂt understand how it works. I guess I want to get the most out of my battery, too (although I realize they need to be replace eventually).

Thanks, Dee

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Comments (6)

genes
16 years ago
Long life with a battery is using the laptop and using basic applications. The more intensive the program, the less actual battery time. You can also go into your Toshiba Power options (Control Panel) and adjust the battery settings to optimal (may help). Anything more than a year (warranty) is gravy. Having said that, some will fail sooner than others. I have had batteries last several years and some go after a little over a year. Personally, my battery is never removed from either computer other than when adding memory or something like that. Of course, I dont travel either now so battery life is not a big deal with me now
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
16 years ago
I do pretty much what you do but I always let the battery fully drain to dead about every week or other week, that is the key it has to drain out completely before plugging back into the power. I do not take my battery off, it stays on there. I do tend to use mine mostly plugged into the power and not on battery but my battery still provides full life when it is on battery.
So try doing the full drain to dead a few times in a row to try to get it back to full charge
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kudzu9
16 years ago
ravencajun-
What you described is something I'd heard was the best practice. However, I think this is no longer necessarily true and the correct answer is that it depends on the type of battery you have. For example, the thing that determines the life span of a NiMH battery is mainly the number of charge/discharge cycles, so draining and recharging it can shorten battery life. Here is a link that describes what I'm talking about...

Here is a link that might be useful: Battery life
dee_can1
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for your responses everyone. To tell the truth, I didnÂt realize (until just the other day when I read up on batteries) that they actually need to be replaced at some pointÂ Of course, itÂs completely logical to me now.

OK, so I guess I will leave the battery in the laptop, and just keep doing what IÂm doing. I donÂt think IÂll drain it all the way, though Â I never have yet anyway. I will check my power settings. And thanks for the link, Dee
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
16 years ago
that is the info that was with mine so that is what I am following, this is my first lappie.
bbbluz ~ DonnaB
16 years ago
Here is a link that was given to me when I had asked the same question.
13 years???? WOW! Most batteries only last 3-4, if that!

Here is a link that might be useful: Battery Maintenance

Laptop Battery and AC Adaptor - How does it all work?

Comments (6)

genes

ravencajun Zone 8b TX

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Laptop Battery and AC Adaptor - How does it all work?

Comments (6)

genes

ravencajun Zone 8b TX

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