How to Store Batteries

The recommended storage temperature for most batteries is 15°C (59°F); the extreme allowable temperature is –40°C to 50°C (–40°C to 122°F) for most chemistries. ASUS A2 battery While lead acid must always be kept at full charge during storage, nickel- and lithium-based chemistries should be stored at around a 40 percent state-of-charge (SoC). This level minimizes age-related capacity loss while keeping the battery in operating condition and allowing self-discharge. ASUS M2 battery
Finding the 40 percent SoC level is difficult because the open circuit voltage (OCV) of batteries does not lend itself well to state-of-charge estimations. For lack of better methods, voltage is nevertheless used as a rough fuel gauge indicator. The SoC of Li-ion is roughly 50 percent at 3.80V/cell and 40 percent at 3.75V/cell. Allow Li-ion to rest 90 minutes after charge or discharge before taking the voltage reading to get equilibrium. ASUS M3 battery
SoC on nickel-based batteries is especially difficult to measure. A flat discharge curve, agitation after charge and discharge, and voltage change on temperature contribute to the fluctuations. Since no other estimation tool exists that is practical, and the charge level for storage is not all too critical for this chemistry, simply apply some charge if the battery is empty, and then make sure that the battery is kept in a cool and dry storage. ASUS M5 battery
Storage will always cause batteries to age. Low temperature and partial SoC only slow the effect. Table 1 illustrates the recoverable capacity of lithium- and nickel-based batteries at various temperatures and charge levels over one year. The recovered capacity is defined as the available battery capacity after storage with a full charge.ASUS M6 battery

Table 1: Estimated recoverable capacity when storing a battery for one year
Elevated temperature hastens permanent capacity loss. Depending on battery type, lithium-ion is also sensitive to charge levels.
Lithium-ion batteries are often exposed to unfavorable temperatures, and these include leaving a cell phone in the hot sun or operating a laptop on the power grid. ASUS S5 battery Elevated temperature and allowing the battery to sit at the maximum charge voltage for expended periods of time explains the shorter than expected battery life. Elevated temperature and excessive overcharge also stresses lead and nickel-based batteries. All batteries must have the ability to relax after charged, even when kept on float or trickle charge. ASUS W3V battery
Nickel-metal-hydride can be stored for about three years. The capacity drop that occurs during storage can partially be reversed with priming. Nickel-cadmium stores well, even if the terminal voltage falls to zero volts. Field tests done by the US Air Force revealed that NiCd stored for five years still performed well after priming cycles. It is believed that priming becomes necessary if the voltage drops below 1V/cell. Primary alkaline and lithium batteries can be stored for up to 10 years with minimal capacity loss. ASUS W5V battery
You can store a sealed lead acid battery for up to two years. Since all batteries gradually self-discharge over time, it is important to check the voltage and/or specific gravity, and then apply a charge when the battery falls to 70 percent state-of-charge. This is typically the case at 2.07V/cell or 12.42V for a 12V pack. (The specific gravity at 70 percent charge is roughly 1.218.) ASUS V6V battery Some lead acid batteries may have different readings and it is best to check the manufacturer's instruction manual. Low charge induces sulfation, an oxidation layer on the negative plate that inhibits current flow. Topping charge and/or cycling may restore some of the capacity losses in the early stages of sulfation.
Sulfation may prevent charging small sealed lead acid cells, such as the Cyclone by Hawker, after prolonged storage. ASUS Z3A battery If seemingly inactive, these batteries can often be reactivated by applying a higher than normal voltage. At first, the cell voltage under charge may go up to 5V and absorb only a small amount of current. Within two hours or so, the charging current converts the large sulfate crystals into active material, the cell resistance drops and the charge voltage gradually normalizes, and at a voltage of 2.10–2.40V the cell is able to accept a normal charge. ASUS Z33A battery To prevent damage, set the current limit to a very low level. Do not attempt to perform this service if the power supply does not allow setting current limiting. Read about Charging with a Power Supply.
Simple Guidelines for Storing Batteries ASUS Z71V battery

Primary batteries store well. Alkaline and primary lithium batteries can be stored for 10 years with moderate loss capacity.

Remove battery from the equipment and store in a dry and cool place.

Avoid freezing. Batteries freeze more easily if in discharged state. ASUS A1 battery

Charge lead acid before storing and monitor the voltage or specific gravity frequently; apply a boost if below 2.10V/cell or an SG below 1.225.

Nickel-based batteries can be stored for five years and longer, even at zero voltage; prime before use.

Lithium-ion must be stored in a charged state, ideally 40 percent. This assures that the battery will not drop below 2.50V/cell with self-discharge and fall asleep. ASUS F7 battery

Discard Li-ion if the voltage has stayed below 2.00/V/cell for more than a week.
Caution:
When charging an SLA with over-voltage, current limiting must be applied to protect the battery. Always set the current limit to the lowest practical setting and observe the battery voltage and temperature during charge. Asus F7000 battery
In case of rupture, leaking electrolyte or any other cause of exposure to the electrolyte, flush with water immediately. If eye exposure occurs, flush with water for 15 minutes and consult a physician immediately.
Wear approved gloves when touching electrolyte, lead and cadmium. On exposure to skin, flush with water immediately. Asus F74 battery

Can your laptop battery be overcharged?
Most laptops today use lithium Ion (Li-ion) batteries. Overcharging Li-ion batteries is not a problem and does not affect the battery life span. These batteries can be charged 300 to 500 times, and they have an internal circuit to stop the charging process at full charge. Asus F7400 battery The control system prevents overcharging, which can cause the lithium ion battery to overheat and potentially burn. This is why the Li-ion batteries are more expensive. The only way for the Li-ion battery to overcharge is if the charging system malfunctions, and then the battery will heat up while in the charger. Asus F7400B battery If you don't plan to use your laptop for long period of time, you can extend the life of your lithium ion laptop battery by storing it with a 50 percent charge. A fully discharged battery left for a long period of time will lose its charging capacity. Fully charged batteries discharge when they are left unused, and will lose effectiveness. Asus F74B battery This is why it is recommended to discharge a Li-ion battery until it is almost out before shutting down. Running a Li-ion battery down completely will diminish capacity. Keep the battery in a cool place and do not store your computer for a long period of time while it is fully charged. Asus F7B battery
Older laptops use Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) and Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) batteries. They require more maintenance than Lithium Ion batteries. They must be fully discharged and then fully recharged so that they don't lose battery life. These batteries can be overcharged only if they go through too many cycles of charging and discharging, which reduces their effectiveness and capacity. Asus L7 battery It is better to charge all batteries fully before use; then use on battery power until the optimum level for each battery type is reached, before recharging.

How to Keep Your Dell Laptop From Overheating
In order to provide you with a compact computer, Dell manufacturers design laptops with all the internal components placed closely together. Asus L7000 battery Because of this crowding, Dell laptops have a tendency to overheat faster than desktop computers. There are a number of interior devices to help counteract the overheating, such as fans and heat pipes. But after a long session on the laptop, it will eventually heat up . Asus L7000B battery There are tips and tools that you can use to keep your laptop cool. Read the points listed below and learn about how to keep your Dell laptop from overheating.
Laptop Maintenance There are several devices in your Dell laptop that work to prevent overheating. Heat sinks, air vents and fans are all installed within the notebook to dissipate hot air and cool off the system when it's operating for extended periods of time. Asus L7000C battery If you find that your laptop is overheating too quickly or getting excessively hot, you may want to take your computer in for maintenance. Have a professional inspect the cooling systems. You may just need a cleaning to clear away any dust or debris that could be blocking proper airflow. Alternatively, you may require a repair or replacement to one of your cooling system parts . Asus L7000D battery
Cooling Chill Mat Dell has created an accessory to prevent your laptop from overheating. The Cooling Chill Mat is a part that you can attach to the bottom of your computer. The mat is powered through your computer's USB port so no additional heat is produced. With the help of two fans, the mat keeps your computer's interior from heat damage and your lap from getting hot . Asus L7000E battery
BIOS Update Check on the Dell Web site to see if your computer's model has a BIOS update available. Often simply updating your computer's BIOS with a newer version will improve the notebook's fan efficiency. Be aware that installing the BIOS upgrade may be difficult and if you're not computer savvy, you may want professional help with installing the update Asus L7000G battery .

How to Know when Your Computer Battery is Dead
All personal computers have a small battery on the motherboard that provides power to the Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) chip, hence the name CMOS battery. The chip has the information about all the system's configuration, such as the hard disk, date and time, etc. It provides power even when the computer is off and allows the CMOS to save all the settings Asus L7000H battery. You can expect the CMOS battery to last for up to five years. The more your computer is used, the longer the battery will last. How do you know that your CMOS battery is dying? Here are some tell-tale signs that your battery is dying:
Invalid configuration will appear on your screen.
Run Setup appears on your screen.
Press F1 to continue appears on your screen.
Invalid drive specification appears on the screen after you've pressed F1.
Clock Error or Clock Message appears on your screen.
The clock on the computer loses time.
The computer is constantly showing the wrong date. Asus L7200 battery
Should you experience any of these symptoms, it's time to change the battery in your computer. If you don't change the battery, the battery will die. Your battery is dead when your screen is blank and you have thus lost your CMOS memory .

6 Easy Ways to Keep Your Computer Cool Without Using Electricity
Keeping your computer cool is important to its well-being and longevity. I only mention this, because the heat is on, not in some cheesy Glenn Frey way. Asus L7300 battery It's actually getting hotter as the Earth rotates us into summer.
As the temperature rises, your computer might be feeling the sting. Maybe you can hear its little fan chugging away. Your computer might even be hot to the touch. How can we cool our computers without adding more strain to our often overtaxed energy grid?
5 Easy Ways to Keep Your Computer Cool Without Using Electricity Asus L7B battery
1. Clean Your Computer
Your fan will work better if it is clean. It's just a good idea to clean your computer regularly with a reusable brush or a rag lightly dampened by rubbing alcohol. It'll extend the life of your machine. Stay away from canned air. Asus L7C battery
2. Cut the Clutter
If you have a messy desk, I won't judge you, but you need to clear all those papers and envelopes away from your from your computer's exhaust port.
3. Relocate Your Computer Asus L7D battery
Move your computer if it is in direct sunlight. Also, if your computer is up against a wall, move it a few inches away from the wall to allow for some air flow.
4. Keep Furry Pets Out of the Office
Pet hair can get into your computer and clog up the fan. Keep pets out of your office, turtles are the obvious exception. Asus L7E battery
5. Don't Remove the Case
Some people remove the case in order to make the computer cooler. It doesn't seem to have much of an effect unless you are running a fan over the open case.

Choose an Energy-Efficient Power Supply
While power-supply units (PSUs) have not traditionally been power savers, a 2006 white paper by two Google data-center designers noted that redesigning industry-standard PSUs could yield potentially huge energy savings. Asus L7G battery Installing redesigned power supplies in 100 million desktop PCs that run eight hours a day, for instance, would save 40 billion kilowatt-hours over three years, according to the paper-that's more than $5 billion at California's energy rates.
While Google's efficiency effort is theoretical at best, an initiative launched by utility companies and energy-efficiency organizations has resulted in real-world energy-saving PSUs. Asus L7H battery Known as the 80 Plus program, the voluntary certification program aims to make power supplies at least 80 percent energy-efficient. Many PSUs currently max out at only 60 percent, a result of their inefficiency in converting high-voltage AC power from the wall socket to low-voltage DC power for your PC. ASUS L1 battery And because these energy-efficient PSUs aren't overindulging on heat-generating energy, they can also eliminate the need for a fan, resulting in a quieter, more-reliable PC. Roughly 70 designs from almost 20 manufacturers now bear the 80 Plus label. A typical 80 Plus-certified option is the EarthWatts PSU from Antec, which is available in three models: 380-watt, 430-watt, and 500-watt. It features a universal input (which accepts line voltages from 100 to 240 volts AC), Serial ATA and PCI Express power connectors, and compliance with the ATX 12V standard. The built-in 80mm cooling fan is rated for low-noise operation. ASUS L7 battery
Another alternative is Cosair's VX450W and VX550W, both of which support Energy Star 4.0 standards and are rated for 80 percent or more energy efficiency under a wide variety of loading conditions. They're available in 450-watt and 550-watt models.

Save Energy Effortlessly with SetPower for Personalized PC Power Management ASUS L8 battery
There are loads of ways to make your computer greener, and one of the most important is managing its energy consumption when not in use. Ideally, your computer would be turned off whenever you aren't using it, but practically, that just doesn't happen. We often don't want to shut down our computer when leaving for a meeting that will last a few hours, or we get distracted and leave it on over night. ASUS M1 battery There are quite a few options for downloads that turn your PC into an energy sipper, but typically they aren't detailed in their setting options. If you'd like a power management system that is specific to your schedule, there's a new solution that could help you out.
Personalize Your PC Power Management ASUS M5N battery
SetPower is a free download that lets you specify when your computer should be awake or asleep. For instance, if you know that each day you're going to be away from it from 3 pm to 6 pm, you can program it to fall asleep during those hours. Additionally, you can program a laptop to go into sleep mode differently depending on if it is plugged in or running on battery power. ASUS M8 battery
Save Energy, Save Green
The company states that it can save you as much as $10 a month compared to if you leave the computer running all the time. That's a claim you can take with a grain of salt because, faithful Planet Green reader, we're sure you don't leave your computer running overnight! So your savings will be smaller than that, but you'll still be saving energy and carbon emissions. ASUS S1 battery

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Get The Most Information For Your Laptop Lithium Battery
Business > Advertising | By: largebattery2012 (05/28/12) Views: 3
I get a lot of questions about laptop batteries around the first of the new year. ASUS N50VN battery One of the biggest reasons is that many people get a laptop for a gift (or give themselves the laptop).I do computer repair and deal with laptops issues often Having been a laptop owner myself for more years than I care to remember,I also face the laptop battery problems any user might.Laptop batteries have come a long way since the first ones in the 90s.The latest type,lithium-ion or lithium battery,are a huge improvement in both power and endurance. ASUS U56E battery

But any laptop battery is subject to two very basic factors in determining the life cycle.The number of "charge cycles" (how many times the battery can be charged to 100% and depleted) and exposure to heat.The cycles eat into the ability of the battery to hold a charge and the heat causes the chemicals to lose their ability to recharge.The shelf life of any laptop battery is limited too.So if you are shopping for a replacement battery always check the date of manufacturer.If older than two years I would pass.Batteries do deteriorate over time just setting on the shelf regardless of use.It's a chemical thing and the ability to hold a full charge. Toshiba PA3921U-1BRS
When you do remove your battery you should store it in a cool and dry area.Some people go as far as to stick it in the refrigerator but that may not always be possible or convenient. DELL Alienware M14x battery I generally just put it in my laptop carrier so I don't forget it when I get ready to travel.I usually store it fully charged so it will have its maximum life when I use it.Some manufacturers recommend that if you are going to store it for a long time to do it at half charge.
The thing to realize about any battery is it does have a measurable lifespan and efforts to extend it will help but not stop the eventual demise. Sony VGP-BPS2C So the number one thing that you can do to extend the life of any of the newer lithium primary battery is always take it out if you are running on DC power to lessen the heat impact.Whenever buying any replacement battery,always check the manufacture date and try to find the newest one available.
There is also a lot of misinformation about batteries in general based on the older models and technology. Dell Vostro 1500 battery You do not need to totally drain the new lithium models.Its fine to use it until you get a warning of low power but don't purposely try to push it to empty since there is no reason to do so now. HP WD547AA And if you do push it to absolute no power you might also experience some lose of data,a very good reason not to go that route.Another common question is do I take out my battery while running on DC power?The answer is yes,this is due to the heat problem mentioned above.The amount of heat and duration can impact your battery's life so it's a good idea to remove it when plugged in to help limit the amount of heat exposed to when possible.
A majority of laptop users only use their laptops away from power in frequently so this could really be a big factor in making your battery last a long time.Asus X53E battery So what is a normal life expectancy of the newer batteries?You should check your manufacturer's specifications but the average is 300-500 cycles.So that number can mean different time periods for different users since it's very dependent of how often you use just battery power for operation. HP TouchSmart tm2-1000 battery From what I've seen from personal and customers use is to figure about 24-28 months is the average.Longer when you use it less away from DC power and if you remember to always remove when using DC power.

Extending the Life of Your Laptop Battery

Most modern laptops use a lithium ion battery. These batteries have a typical shelf life of two to three years with estimates of a 20% loss in capacity every year. Acer Aspire One 532h-2Db battery These numbers aren't very encouraging for a laptop owner, however there are several methods for extending a laptop's battery life that most of us are unaware of.

I was somewhat sceptical when researching the topic, expecting that extending the life cycle of a laptop battery would be a hassle (and indeed some of the suggestions feel that way at first), however there are some interesting findings and simple tips that one can follow to do just that. Asus A40J battery

Here is an interesting article about prolonging battery life. It uses somewhat technical jargon so I'll go ahead and interpret the findings into more common terms. HP HSTNN-LB2R

You should be using your battery regularly. If you're using your laptop on AC power, most sources recommend unplugging the battery and storing it in a cool place, such as your fridge (but not your freezer, cold is good but freezing is bad).

Several sources also recommend never keeping it fully charged if you're using your AC adapter. HP HSTNN-LB1Z The downside of a fully charged battery seems to be a higher temperature, and thus a quicker degradation. Expect a brief guide on how to ensure your adapter keeps your battery life at the % you want it at soon!

Once again however, it should be repeated; use your battery. HP HSTNN-DB0Q Several sources agree that you should use your battery until it's at 10-20% juice left then recharge it at least once every two or three weeks. Fully using the battery isn't recommended for Lithium Ion batteries; however some sources recommend emptying it out after a certain amount of partial charges (20-30 or more in some cases) and then fully re-charging it. HP HSTNN-XB1X Users such as myself, who use the laptop much like a desktop, always plugged into the AC adapter, seldom if ever actually use their batteries, which may explain why my old laptop's battery died after exactly two years.

These seem to be the most important methods in extending the life of your battery, however there exist some minor tricks you can use as well. HP HSTNN-XB1Y

Changing your power settings; you can adjust the profile you wish to use to maximize battery life for the sake of performance. Simply right click your battery icon and select properties then select one of the profiles available.

Lower your screen's brightness; pretty straightforward, less brightness means less energy being consumed. HP 582215-241 battery

Turn off virtual memory; virtual memory means your computer uses parts of your hard disk as temporary ram. HP TouchSmart tm2-1000 battery Communicating to your disk is energy intensive.

Be economical; this is pretty straightforward, if you're running your laptop on its battery, try to run fewer things, try to use less peripheral devices, be as conservative with what you use as possible.

HP HSTNN-DB0Q Considering many people don't get extended warranties and that replacement batteries can sometimes set you back 200$, these are tips we would all benefit from trying.

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Should you run your laptop off battery power or use a charger?

Illustration by Robert Neubecker.
I'm a committed laptop user, but most of the time, I'm just using it at my desk. Do I save more energy by keeping it plugged in, or should I use my charger only when my battery gets low?battery HP 4435s
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First, some good news: Despite your desk-bound ways, you're using a laptop, which is already a greener choice than a desktop. HP ProBook battery 4436s It's not just that you don't have a monitor to plug in—although that's a big part of it. Laptops are typically designed to be more energy-efficient than their desktop counterparts, and all in all, they are estimated to use as much as 80 percent less energy while operating.HP Probook 4530s battery There's a simple reason why laptops are more efficient: They need to be. Waste energy on a desktop, and you'll get a slightly higher electricity bill. But if your laptop isn't energy-efficient, that means either you'll need a bigger battery (and a heavier machine) or you'll spend half your time hunting for an outlet at your local coffee shop. HP battery Probook 4535s (Laptops likely require less energy to manufacture, too—although regardless of which machine you use, one of the greenest things you can do is hold off on buying a new computer.)
Getting back to your question, start with the assumption that your computer will operate exactly the same whether or not it's plugged into the wall. HP HSTNN-I98C-7 battery In that case, you're probably better off staying plugged in, because energy is lost in the process of charging the battery, storing the electricity, and then powering the computer from the battery. HP Probook 4730s battery A report (PDF) prepared by the Natural Resources Defense Council five years ago estimated that running a laptop from AC power is about 20 percent more energy-efficient than doing it off a battery. HP 609881-351 battery Even if battery charging systems have improved since then, common sense suggests that using AC power requires less energy. (Some laptop users contend that keeping a laptop plugged in damages the life of the battery. HP 611708-001 battery If so, this would be a tougher call, since batteries require an awful lot of energy to manufacture, and there's an environmental cost to recycling a spent one. Different manufacturers give slightly different answers: Lenovo and Dell told the Lantern your battery should be fine if your computer stays plugged in; HP says you should remove the battery if you are running on AC power for weeks at a time; and Apple suggests you should unplug and run off the battery every once in a while. HP HSTNN-XXXX Check your manual, but the Lantern thinks you should be OK using AC power most of the time.)
Still, there's a catch—although it's one you can do something about. Most laptops are set up to use less energy when they aren't plugged in, since battery life is at a premium. HP WM06 battery As soon as they start receiving AC power, however, they're often set to start running at higher speeds—and thus use more energy. If you've never touched your laptop's power settings before, chances are it uses more energy when it's plugged into the wall. HP 582215-241 battery
It doesn't have to. HP 633807-001 Your laptop should make it easy to change your energy settings so that they're the same whether or not your laptop is plugged in. HP HSTNN-DB0Q When you do that, your computer will probably run a little slower, your screen may be a little dimmer, and your machine may go to sleep a little faster when you walk away from your desk. But unless you spend most of your time playing Left 4 Dead, you probably won't mind those changes. HP WD547AA (A quick aside: For those wondering whether it makes sense to turn off their computer or leave it on idle, it usually makes sense to shut your machine down if you are going to be away for any extended period of time.) HP HSTNN-XB0Q
And there's one more step: Make sure you aren't plugged in when you don't need to be. Even if your computer is asleep—or turned off—it's still sucking in a little bit of energy the entire time it's connected to the power grid. HP PR06 battery (In fact, a plugged-in power adapter will use a little bit of electricity even if it isn't attached to your computer.) That electricity—the wonkish term for it is "standby power"; the whimsical term is "vampire power"—isn't just an issue for computers. HP HSTNN-LB2RIt makes a difference for most appliances—from speakers to microwaves—and when you tally all the electrical devices we own, it can add up to a hefty sum. HP HSTNN-I98C-7 By some estimates, standby power use is responsible for 5 percent to 10 percent of residential electricity consumption in many countries, and 1 percent of global CO2 emissions (PDF). HP QK646AA As you try your best to reduce the energy needed for the gadgets you are using, there's no need to waste electricity on the ones you aren't. HP 633734-151
Is there an environmental quandary that's been keeping you up at night? Send it to ask.the.lantern@gmail.com, and check this space every Tuesday. HP HSTNN-I98C

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