Battery issue on Z61M

I have a Z61M which was stored for 5 months. I took the battery out
during this time. When I came to start it up again the battery was
totally flat (not surprising), but it won't charge. The LED flashes
continually but nothing else. Oddly enough, acpi says that the battery
is 100% charged.

The computer is about 3 years old. The battery failure is perhaps to be
expected but why should it happen when the battery was left alone? It
was working when I last used it. Any comments?

Anthony

--
Anthony Campbell -
Microsoft-free zone - Using Debian GNU/Linux
http://www.acampbell.org.uk - sample my ebooks
at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/acampbell

On 2010-07-17, John Navas <> wrote:
> On 17 Jul 2010 07:30:36 GMT, in
><>, Anthony Campbell
><> wrote:
>
>>I have a Z61M which was stored for 5 months. I took the battery out
>>during this time. When I came to start it up again the battery was
>>totally flat (not surprising), but it won't charge. The LED flashes
>>continually but nothing else. Oddly enough, acpi says that the battery
>>is 100% charged.
>>
>>The computer is about 3 years old. The battery failure is perhaps to be
>>expected but why should it happen when the battery was left alone? It
>>was working when I last used it. Any comments?
>
> Storing Li-ion batteries discharged is a "good" way to kill them,
> as you've now discovered.
><http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-ion_battery#Usage_guidelines>:
>
> Depletion below the low-voltage threshold (2.4 to 2.8 V/cell,
> depending on chemistry) results in an unrecoverable dead battery
> because the protection circuit disables charging with a standard
> charger.
>

Thanks for the link. That mentions that warm conditions cause this to
happen faster. That was the case here; I had expected to come back much
sooner but our travel was delayed because of the Iceland volcano and the
battery remained upstairs in a Greek summer.

The implication of this seems to be that I should perhaps not have a
battery for this machine at all. Or I suppose I could take it back with
me when I leave and keep it in the fridge in the meantime.

What happens when one buys a new battery which is uncharged? Is there a
limit to the time one can wait without charging it?

Anthony

--
Anthony Campbell -
Microsoft-free zone - Using Debian GNU/Linux
http://www.acampbell.org.uk - sample my ebooks
at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/acampbell

On 2010-07-18, John Navas <> wrote:
>>Thanks for the link. That mentions that warm conditions cause this to
>>happen faster. That was the case here; I had expected to come back much
>>sooner but our travel was delayed because of the Iceland volcano and the
>>battery remained upstairs in a Greek summer.
>>
>>The implication of this seems to be that I should perhaps not have a
>>battery for this machine at all. Or I suppose I could take it back with
>>me when I leave and keep it in the fridge in the meantime.
>
> Cool storage (refrigerator not freezer) will substantially increase
> life. Half charge* is best for storage, not full charge. Be sure to
> seal the battery against moisture (silica gel packs helpful).
>
>>What happens when one buys a new battery which is uncharged? Is there a
>>limit to the time one can wait without charging it?
>
> New Li-ion batteries are usually half charged* before leaving the
> factory, with typical expected shelf life of 6-12 months.
>
> * 40% charge is considered optimum.
>

Thanks - useful info.

Anthony

--
Anthony Campbell -
Microsoft-free zone - Using Debian GNU/Linux
http://www.acampbell.org.uk - sample my ebooks
at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/acampbell