Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

How long should I charge my PB batter?

1 view
Skip to first unread message

Danny W. McCampbell

unread,
Nov 19, 1992, 5:02:46 AM11/19/92
to
When I charge my Powerbook Battery by hooking up the AC
adapter to my PB, should I disconnect the AC adapter
when the chooser's Battery shows that the batter is charged?
Can I safely leave the AC adapter hooked to the PB so
I can use the batter for later? Help, I do not want to tear
any thing up.

Danny

Danny W. McCampbell

unread,
Nov 19, 1992, 5:03:40 AM11/19/92
to

Arie Covrigaru

unread,
Nov 19, 1992, 6:07:49 AM11/19/92
to
>>>>> On Wed, 18 Nov 1992 20:03:40 GMT, Danny W. McCampbell <da...@utkux1.utk.edu> said:
| X-Xxdate: Wed, 18 Nov 92 20: 00:58 GMT
| X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d12

| Danny

It is in the "Macintosh User's Manual for the PowerBook computers"
in the Chapter "Recharging the battery" starting on page 95.
--


Arie.

=========================================================================
| Arie Covrigaru | University of Michigan AI Lab |
| Phone:(313)994-8887 | Room 149, Advanced Technology Bldg. |
| Internet:ar...@eecs.umich.edu | 1101 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109 |
=========================================================================

Dale Parkyn

unread,
Nov 19, 1992, 9:01:05 AM11/19/92
to
Danny W. McCampbell <da...@utkux1.utk.edu> writes:
>adapter to my PB, should I disconnect the AC adapter
>when the chooser's Battery shows that the batter is charged?
>Can I safely leave the AC adapter hooked to the PB so
>I can use the batter for later? Help, I do not want to tear
>any thing up.

Danny! Relax! There have been several good explanations of why
there is little need to worry about the PowerBook battery. I will
locate one and post it to you via e-mail.

I have my PowerBook connected to AC nearly all the time as I use it
as my main computer. As recommended in the manual, run the battery down
until the PB shuts itself off, about once a month for me.

Ignore the 'experts' who claim to know about 'memory effects' damaging
battery... DO NOT drain the battery, by any method, more than the
normal PB self-shut-off point. I have seen that done and excessive
discharge ruined the battery, would NOT begin to recharge.

Just use it, leave it connected if you are not worried about power line
voltage spikes, and run the battery flat as per manual recommendation.

(ASIDE
I keep my computers plugged in to AC all the time. One day lightning
struck the power pole nearest the apartment building. THREE transformers
needed to be replaced on the poles. NO electrical equipment in my apartment
or any other apartments were damaged! However, the elevator would not
restart...
END ASIDE

DALE

par...@sfu.ca

Mel Walker

unread,
Nov 21, 1992, 9:19:35 AM11/21/92
to
In article <parkyn.7...@sfu.ca> Dale Parkyn,par...@fraser.sfu.ca
writes:

>Ignore the 'experts' who claim to know about 'memory effects' damaging
>battery... DO NOT drain the battery, by any method, more than the
>normal PB self-shut-off point. I have seen that done and excessive
>discharge ruined the battery, would NOT begin to recharge.

Memory effects CAN damage the battery -- IF the battery is in a
microgravity ultra-low-temperature environment, like a satellite. This
just proves that a _little_ knowledge is still a dangerous (or
profitable) thing. :-)

Douglas_...@fourd.com

unread,
Nov 20, 1992, 2:27:50 PM11/20/92
to
| When I charge my Powerbook Battery by hooking up the AC
| adapter to my PB, should I disconnect the AC adapter
| when the chooser's Battery shows that the batter is charged?
| Can I safely leave the AC adapter hooked to the PB so
| I can use the batter for later? Help, I do not want to tear
| any thing up.

| Danny



<<It is in the "Macintosh User's Manual for the PowerBook computers"
in the Chapter "Recharging the battery" starting on page 95.
--


Arie.>>

Unbelievable. Why don't you just tell him the answer or tell him you don't
know?
********************************************************************
System:fourd.com Phone:617-494-0565
Cute quote: Being a computer means never having to say you're sorry
********************************************************************

Douglas_...@fourd.com

unread,
Nov 20, 1992, 2:21:47 PM11/20/92
to
<<When I charge my Powerbook Battery by hooking up the AC
adapter to my PB, should I disconnect the AC adapter
when the chooser's Battery shows that the batter is charged?
Can I safely leave the AC adapter hooked to the PB so
I can use the batter for later? Help, I do not want to tear
any thing up.>>

Danny,

You can leave the PowerBook plugged in as long as you want. It will not
overheat, and the battery will not overcharge.

There are only a few things you should watch out for: if you are going to be
away from your PowerBook for an extended period of time (more than a few
weeks) or if you will be shipping it, you should disconnect the AC adapter and
(on a PB100) flip the storage switch on the back panel to the down position,
which will completely disconnect the battery and keep it from draining. A
special caution is that if the PB100 battery (sealed lead-acid type) drains
completely, you may not be able to recharge it.

Never run the PowerBook off AC power when the battery is not in the compartment. Do not leave the AC adapter plugged into the PowerBook when it is disconnected from the outlet, as this
will quickly drain your battery (even if the computer is off.)

Hope these tips help. If you have any other related questions, don't hesitate to ask.

--Doug

0 new messages