Laptop battery questions

[Biggerhammer]

Toshiba Tecra 8200 (P3-1000, 256M RAM, 40G modern HD, wireless network running)

I just picked this up from a technically challenged owner. It has been treated gently but probably not with geeky care.

The battery reads 100% at the start, and runs the machine for around ten minutes before the 3% battery warning lights up. It's a litium ion battery (Toshiba Li-ION battery pack Model No. PA3062U-1BAR DC 10.8v 3600mAH).

I know that at least Ni-Cad batteries can be rejuvenated somewhat by fully discharging (to around .9v output per cell) then recharging it again. Is there a trick like this to make a lithium on battery feel young again?

Thank you.

(edited to remove technical omissions and to make you wonder)

 

[6000SUX]

I hope you find an answer, because the same thing is happening on an older laptop of ours. I just had to say, "Great sig!".

 

[RajunCajun]

The easy answer is that you need a new battery! I've had several lion batteries do exactly this after the recycle life is gone, usually between 500-800 cycles

The same trick we've used on nicad doesn't work with lions. Actually you'll quicken battery death. AFAIK lions should not discharge below 40% on a regular basis before recharging - this will give you maximum life.

Figure it this way. If you fully discharge a lion through daily use on a daily basis, 365 days, you'll get about 1 year service or a little longer, but that's about it.

Nicads will give you much more life since they can easily stand 1000 or more cycles before dying, but they have the "memory effect" and the power will not last nearly as long between cycles. Nimh batteries are better in this instance, but still not as good as lions.

 

[Biggerhammer]

6000SUX, thank you. Woody Allen is a source of great inspiration. No, I don't have any stepdaughters

Cajun, I was afraid that this was the case but hoped to learn elsewise; I will start hunting for a replacement battery. If it were NIMH or NICAD I would just replace the cells if I could (can be done much more cheaply than replacing the whole battery, where it is possible)

 

[Biggerhammer]

eBay has a bunch of working pulls for $25. They claim to have 3-hour life and the seller has good feedback. Maybe, maybe.