It seems every day there are new items available that use top up mlbb batteries. We know that rechargeable batteries will not last indefinitely, but there are ways to extend their usable life span. All it takes are some simple techniques.
Learning to recondition rechargeable batteries will not only save you money, it will also help save the environment. Most of the batteries in use can be restored, below are some ways to restore your laptop battery. The first step is to identify the type of battery in your laptop. The type will be printed somewhere on the case. You will find you have a Nickle Cadmium (NiCd), Nickle Metal Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium Ion (LiON).
What happens with these two battery types is they can suffer from memory effect. This means they will remember the point that you typically recharge them. They will set this as the base point and will eventually reduce the amount of charge the battery will take. What results is a battery that never fully recharges.
To reset the battery and remove any memory effect, try one of these techniques. The first method to fully discharging the battery in your laptop is to turn it on and enter into the setup screen. You should be able to push Del after you switch it on. Let your laptop sit in this mode until it switches off due to low power.
Next place the battery in a zip lock bag and place in your freezer overnight. The gel in the battery will cool down and this will help remove any memory effect that it may have. After you remove it from the freezer allow it to return back to room temperature then return it to your laptop.
A second method you could try requires a special resistive circuit that you use to short out the batteries terminals. Shorting them out will fully discharge your battery fast and safely. You will need to buy this tool or if you have some basic mechanical skills you could make one.
Never try to short out the battery without this tool or you could cause damage to the battery and yourself.
These are just a couple of the techniques used to restore rechargeable batteries. Replacing a laptop battery is expensive, following these tips can save you money and reduce the amount of batteries going to the landfills.
