Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!rutgers!topaz.rutgers.edu!srm From: srm@topaz.rutgers.edu (SRM) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: Overcharging NiCad batteries? Keywords: NiCad rechargeable batteries, laptops, foreign power Message-ID:Date: 25 Sep 88 17:30:34 GMT References: <3008@dalcs.UUCP> Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J. Lines: 51 In article <3008@dalcs.UUCP> lane@dalcs.UUCP (John Wright/Dr. Pat Lane) writes: > Specific questions: > 1. The 8 to 10 hours recharging time...is that affected by whether the machine > is on? Would that mean that you should not use the machine on and plugged > in for more than 10 hours...after 10 hours, unplug and use the batteries > till they're gone, then go back to external power for another 10 hours and > so on...till you give up and go get some sleep :-) My personal experience with my own Z181 and others Z183 is do not under any conditions leave the unit plugged in while in use. The best practice is as you mentioned from the manual. Let it go until almost dead (Low power light blinking and beeps). Recharge for 8 to 10 hours with the unit OFF! Then everything is safe. I do admit though I do not always follow what I preach thats why I've gone through 2 batteries on mine to date. > 2. Should you plug and unlplug the external power while the machine is on or > power down for the switch to and from batteries...if the latter, does this > not make Zenith's advise about running on batteries till the machine packs > it in rather risky for saving your work? I have plugged in the external power while the unit is on with out any problems. > 3. Would this all not apply equally to all equipment using NiCad's (such as the > Diconex 150 I also use)...funny this is the first place I've seen these > warnings. The problems described by the Zenith manuals concerning their batteries is common among all nicad batteries as far as I know. I would assume the same with the Diconex 150. > 4. As I said, I've been leaving my machine plugged in alot, while I'm using it > and otherwise, and I'm getting about two hours on batteries before it starts > beeping at me. Given the relatively large backlit screen and 20Meg HD, this > did not seem that unreasonable and I've notice no degradation in this since > I got the machine but I wonder if I should be getting longer battery life. I don't really know with the Z183. With my Z181 I originally got about 5 to 7 hours usage which dropped to about 2 hours {I didn't beleive the manual either :-)}. I replaced the battery and all was fine again till it dropped to about 30 minutes {I've learned my lesson now}. All of the above has been with full 8 to 10 hour charges. I recall reading about a software product that will monitor the battery level and prevent overcharging. I think it was by Traveling Software but I'm not certain. I could be helpful but I beleive it's very costly. The reason why I don't have it now :-). Scott R. Myers srm@topaz.rutgers.edu