Laptop battery - Lasts how long

  • Thread starter Thread starter JoeBhoy
  • Start date Start date
J

JoeBhoy

I've got a brand new laptop battery that has been in storage. Thing is it's
been there for 5 years.
Will these batteries still be OK to be used - (compaq presario )

cheers

Joe.
 
Batteries usually have a lifetime of about 3 to 4 years on the average,
whether they are used or not.

NiCad batteries are best to be stored with no charge. Gel cells that are
based on lead-acid, are best to be maintained with charge over their
lifespan.

All of these batteries have the longest life, when used to within their
normal operating capacity. They can usually take about 800 to 1000 charges
over a 3 to 4 year period. Sometimes they can last about 5 years or so, but
not much longer.

As they age they go through a chemical reaction, where they become degraded.
This type of reaction is not reversible. There are many myths and fables
about batteries, and how long they will last.

--

Jerry G.
=====

I've got a brand new laptop battery that has been in storage. Thing is it's
been there for 5 years.
Will these batteries still be OK to be used - (compaq presario )

cheers

Joe.
 
I've got a brand new laptop battery that has been in storage. Thing is it's
been there for 5 years.
Will these batteries still be OK to be used - (compaq presario )

cheers

Joe.
Click to expand...

Temperature extremes while in storage could've ruined them.
Otherwise they may work but at 5+ years old already it's
most likely that a significant portion of their useable
capacity is gone... they might charge and last only a few
minutes or hopefully hours but I'd not count on it.

If the batteries have a charge indicator, check that. While
recharging for the first time, frequently check the battery
temp... if it's getting alarmingly hot remove it
immediately.

If you have a multimeter it would be good to check the
voltage, note whether it's approaching the stated voltage on
the pack after 30 minutes of charging (if they're not
getting hot)... at that point it should already be evident
whether all cells are charging or if there is one or more
bad, noted by a significant deviance from rated voltage.

In other words, supposing you had a 9.6V pack, it might be
expected that it be at 8.2V volts early (but not
immediately) into charging, but if it were down around 6V
after charging for more than a few minutes, it would tend tu
suggest one or more cells are shorted and the pack is not
useable. If in doubt you can always leave it charging and
check again, so long as it's not severely overheating. You
should be nearby to monitor this.
 
I've got a brand new laptop battery that has been in storage. Thing is it's
been there for 5 years.
Will these batteries still be OK to be used - (compaq presario )
Click to expand...

For normal use, I think the battery will last for around 1 year to 1
year plus.
 
Don't have the laptop - was wanting to stick it on Ebay - but wouldn't do it
if it was faulty!


cheers all.

Joe.
 
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