Is your notebook starting to feel more like a desktop, constantly needing to be plugged in and recharged? This is a classic symptom of battery degradation capacity loss, where batteries become less effective at carrying a charge. Unfortunately, you cannot completely stop capacity loss, and for this reason Lithium-Ion batteries normally last just 2-4 years. However, there are several steps you can take to slow the degradation process, making it more likely that your battery will last four years instead of two.
1. Stay Away from Excessive Heat
This is perhaps THE most important thing to avoid if you're trying to extend your battery's lifespan. Heat quickly degrades the battery, and all manufacturers recommend that you avoid it. Apple suggests keeping your battery between 50F-95F when in use, with room temperature 70 F being ideal.
To keep your laptop--and its battery--at an optimal temperature, it should be used on a flat surface that facilitates air flow through the vents underneath. A cooling station is a great way to keep air circulating. They sell for as little as $10 on Amazon. Also avoid using your laptop on things that trap heat, like bedding comforters, pillows, and clothing.
2. "Should I remove the battery when my computer is plugged in?" It depends.
Shoppers frequently ask if it's okay leave the battery in your computer if it is plugged-in most of the time. This is a highly debated issue and there is a lot of inconsistent information on the web, even amongst manufacturers! Apple says you shouldn't leave it in while Dell says it doesn't matter. After examining the data out there, I've concluded that it depends on your computer usage habits.
If your computer is always connected to an external power source, runs a lot programs that require a lot of computing power, and has several peripherals connected to it, you should definitely remove the battery. In situations like this, the laptop itself is producing considerable amounts of heat, and with your battery always inside of it, your charge capacity may deteriorate quickly.
According to BatteryUniversity.com, lithium-ion batteries can experience 40% capacity loss in as little as 3 months if they are kept in extremely hot environments--above 140 F--while being fully charged.
If your computer typically doesn't get this hot, and runs on battery power often, the battery can stay inside. Ideally, try to alternate between using wall current and battery power to "keep the electrons moving."*
3. Calibrate Your Battery Every Month or Two
The on-screen battery icon, which displays your battery's current charge level, becomes less accurate over time. You might have experienced this firsthand--I definitely have.
One minute, your battery shows an hour of charge left, but then just a little while later, it magically drops to 20 minutes remaining. Sometimes the battery may actually have a lot less charge than the meter indicates. This can force your computer to shut down without warning.
Calibrating the battery every month helps to ensure that the charge meter continues to provide accurate readings.
You can calibrate your battery using the following method by Apple*:
1--Fully charge your laptop. 2--Keep it fully charged for at least two hours. You may use it during this time. 3--Unplug the power adapter and run the laptop on battery power alone. Use the computer until the battery is completely depleted. The system should automatically shuts off or go to sleep. 4--Keep it off or sleep for at least 5 hours. 5--Plug in the laptop until the battery is fully charged.
4. Avoid Completely Discharging the Battery
Unlike last decade's NiCd batteries, lithium-ion batteries should not be fully depleted--except during calibrations. Your discharges should go no lower than 50%.
According to BatteryUniversity.com, if you usually deplete your battery 100% you can expect an average lifetime of 500 charge/discharge cycles. Compare that to batteries that are only 25% discharged, which have an average lifespan of 2500 cycles. Shallow discharges exert far less stress on the battery than full discharges do.
5. Exercise efficient use battery power
Bluetooth, wireless adapters, USB peripherals, etc. all put added stress on the battery. Disable these components when they are not in use.
Using battery power efficiently goes hand-in-hand with tip 4, as it keeps your battery from becoming fully depleted and lowers your laptop's operating temperature.
6. When Storing Batteries, Make Sure They Are 40-60% Charged
Nearly all manufacturers recommend that you store your battery with a moderate level of charge. Apple says to store with 50% charge, HP says 30-50%, and Dell 40-60%.
Storing your battery fully charged can actually accelerate capacity loss. On the other hand, a battery can be rendered useless if it falls below a critical voltage after a full discharge. The fact that lithium-ion batteries self-discharge over time can the odds of having a permanent discharge. Storing the battery at close to half of its capacity buffers the battery against both extremes.
Overall, lithium-ion batteries prefer everything in moderation. Keep them from getting too hot or too cold, and don't let them remain fully charged or fully discharged for long periods of time. Although all batteries eventually need to be replaced, you can extend the life of your battery by using it efficiently.
*Reference list can be accessed at the ShopGuides blog. Check out our in-depth review of the ASUS G73JW gaming laptop. With a NVIDIA GTX 460M graphics card and Intel i7 Quad-Core processor, the G73JW delivers the computing power you need to dominate today's cutting-edge games.