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Battery differences in laptops...

P

Philippine Mango

Diamond Member
I just recieved an old laptop in the mail and I want to replace the battery that is inside of it. I checked the back of the laptop and it says Ni-ca, but when I open the laptop, the battery is labeled NIMH. I heard that you're not suppose to mix batteries in the sense that if the laptop came with a particular battery, you must use the same, although I have no idea WHY. I was wondering if it would be possible to replace the battery in there ATM with a LI-on battery so that not only will the laptop be lighter, but it will have better battery life.
 
I'd be a bit nervous about doing so. Now, it could be that the laptop interacts with its battery in some elegant, civilized fashion, e.g. feeds 12 volts(or some standard voltage) to charge circuitry built into the battery, in which case any such batter would do. However, that isn't too likely. If the charge circuitry is built into the laptop(particularly if it is the, shall we say, heavy handed charge circuitry that some older laptops are notorious for), a lithium ion battery could find its new home most inconvivial. In addition to being expensive, lithium batteries have been known to express displeasure with their users by catching fire. Not something to have in ones's lap.

My recommendation would be, if the battery life isn't good enough for you, to crack open the existing battery pack and examine the cells. If they aren't labelled as being one chemistry or another, trust what the battery label says. Replacement cells in both chemistries and all common sizes are easily and cheaply available online, from sites serving the RC and hobby robot enthusiasts. At this point it's pretty much a drop in job. A touch of soldering will be required(do get tabbed cells, if possible, to save yourself some hassle); but you'll be able to upgrade the tired old battery pack to modern, fresh, high-capacity cells of the appropriate chemistry for less than the cost of a second rate lithium ion pack.
 
Originally posted by: phisrow
I'd be a bit nervous about doing so. Now, it could be that the laptop interacts with its battery in some elegant, civilized fashion, e.g. feeds 12 volts(or some standard voltage) to charge circuitry built into the battery, in which case any such batter would do. However, that isn't too likely. If the charge circuitry is built into the laptop(particularly if it is the, shall we say, heavy handed charge circuitry that some older laptops are notorious for), a lithium ion battery could find its new home most inconvivial. In addition to being expensive, lithium batteries have been known to express displeasure with their users by catching fire. Not something to have in ones's lap.

My recommendation would be, if the battery life isn't good enough for you, to crack open the existing battery pack and examine the cells. If they aren't labelled as being one chemistry or another, trust what the battery label says. Replacement cells in both chemistries and all common sizes are easily and cheaply available online, from sites serving the RC and hobby robot enthusiasts. At this point it's pretty much a drop in job. A touch of soldering will be required(do get tabbed cells, if possible, to save yourself some hassle); but you'll be able to upgrade the tired old battery pack to modern, fresh, high-capacity cells of the appropriate chemistry for less than the cost of a second rate lithium ion pack.
Click to expand...

So you're essentially saying, open the old pack, take out the old cells, check their voltage etc. go out and buy some of the same brand cells, and replace them? Because the risk to reward ratio in replacing it with li-ion batteries just isn't worth it? And NIMH cells are easier to comeby/cheaper and are higher quality while li-ion cells are harder to comeby, expensive and I'll likely be getting second rate cells instead?
 
Your interpretation of my suggestion is correct. A conversion to Lithium ion, for a laptop that wasn't designed for it, would be comparatively risky and difficult. If(and only if) you are unsatisfied with the performance of the current battery pack(because its cells are degraded or just low quality to begin with) you can open the pack up and replace the cells individually. You'll have to open the pack up to be sure; but my guess is that you will find that it is full of Sub-C(possibly C in bulkier packs) cells. If the battery label says NiMH, then that is what they'll be. You can then replace them with something like (go for tabbed cells, if possible, they are much easier to solder together correctly)
http://www.all-battery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=17 (Sub-C)

or

http://www.all-battery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=18 (C)

If the current cells have a capacity rating printed on them you'll be able to tell how much more capacity you'll get with new cells. Of course, if the battery pack is working alright for now, don't bother.
 
Originally posted by: BladeVenom
Lithium ion batteries have been know explode if not charged properly.
Click to expand...

yup. thats the main reason not to use em if the notebook expects nicad or nimh batteries.

 
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