How to get a charge from reviving your laptop battery

Laptops are wonderful.

They allow us to take our computing on the go.

And,I predict their future, and death is where we move to more flat devices, even clothing, laptops, at least in the short term.

But they all feature an extremely frustrating element — the battery.

The Personal Computer Museum offers free computers to families and those in need. The most common question about the program is: Can I get a laptop?

The answer usually is no,

That’s not because of some kind of conspiracy. The problem is that laptops don’t tend to last beyond a few years. And, even after a short time of service, the battery is usually the first thing to go wonky.

If you’ve own a laptop, you know exactly what I’m referring to. A battery that used to provide three hours of power, dwindles to two, then one and then none.

Batteries have come a long way. But as computers get faster, smaller and lighter, batteries must keep pace. They need to be smaller and power devices that are much more powerful. That’s a tall order.

The good news is that there are few tricks to help bring life back to your batteries. While these methods are not foolproof, they may provide you with some improvements. The average laptop battery replacement tends to go for about $100. So, it could be worth the effort to recondition your old batteries.

An article at Online Tech Tips (http://www.battaussie.com/) has a few different methods for you to try to fix or improve your laptop battery. And, while some may seem unconventional, they can work.

One method is freezing. Remove your battery, place it inside a sealed plastic bag and place in the freezer for at least 12 hours. Then remove the Dell inspiron 1520 laptop battery from the freezer, warm to room temperature, charge fully and then let it drain. Repeat the charging and draining process a few times, and you should notice improved overall life in the battery.

Many manufacturers also offer battery calibration tools. Searching for your particular model and manufacturer can you help you with this. Following the specific instructions should help you get the most out of your battery regardless of age.

Part of the problem with batteries is that most contain multiple cells. A battery may report being dead when only a few cells are damaged.

Some of these methods (including the freezer) also will work with a tablet or cellphone battery, provided that it is removable. Batteries in some devices are not meant to be removed or serviced by users, so they are out for these tricks. If any battery shows signs of swelling, you should not try any of these methods.

Batteries give us freedom of mobility and make many devices more useful than if they are tethered with cords. Treating them with a little bit of care can make them last longer, as we wait for the perfect battery that never dies to be invented. That is something to get all charged up about.

Come out Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to see a great use of batteries inside of robots during the third annual Robot Day at the Personal Computer Museum at 13 Alma St. Meet Star Wars robots, such as R2, drones that fight, as well as vintage robots at this free event.

 

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