More Battery Questions

Is it possible or advisable to keep the old battery as a spare, and swap batteries when the new one is getting low and I can't get to a plug
joeobrin wrote on :

I have two questions which are motivated by having bought a new battery for my power book.

The first is a question regarding the old battery. It still seems to have a bit of life in it, though it no longer holds nearly the charge that it used to. So, my question is: Is it possible or advisable to keep the old battery as a spare, and swap batteries when the new one is getting low and I can't get to a plug (e.g. when traveling)? Obviously, I have to be paying attention, and power down the machine before it hits sleep mode, so I can swap out.

The other question is that the new battery is great once fully charged. But, it takes forever to charge (a problem I was also having with the old battery, compounded with the fact that it would only last an hour to two once fully charged). Is this a more serious problem? Or, is it simply a matter of resetting the PMU or something like that so it can learn the new battery?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

joeobrin replied on :

I have two questions which are motivated by having bought a new battery for my power book.

The first is a question regarding the old battery. It still seems to have a bit of life in it, though it no longer holds nearly the charge that it used to. So, my question is: Is it possible or advisable to keep the old battery as a spare, and swap batteries when the new one is getting low and I can't get to a plug (e.g. when traveling)? Obviously, I have to be paying attention, and power down the machine before it hits sleep mode, so I can swap out.

The other question is that the new battery is great once fully charged. But, it takes forever to charge (a problem I was also having with the old battery, compounded with the fact that it would only last an hour to two once fully charged). Is this a more serious problem? Or, is it simply a matter of resetting the PMU or something like that so it can learn the new battery?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

John Johnson replied on :

In article 1108856648.602214.225320@redacted.invalid, joeobrin@redacted.invalid wrote:

I have two questions which are motivated by having bought a new battery for my power book.

The first is a question regarding the old battery. It still seems to have a bit of life in it, though it no longer holds nearly the charge that it used to. So, my question is: Is it possible or advisable to keep the old battery as a spare, and swap batteries when the new one is getting low and I can't get to a plug (e.g. when traveling)?

It is possible, and a fine thing to do. I did it with my old battery on my Pismo. Dunno about the other question.

Robin Jackson replied on :

On 19/2/05 23:44, in article 1108856648.602214.225320@redacted.invalid, "joeobrin@redacted.invalid" joeobrin@redacted.invalid wrote:

I have to be paying attention, and power down the machine before it hits sleep mode, so I can swap out.

Why do you need to do this?

Providing you swap the battery out quickly, a couple of minutes you can just let the PowerBook go to sleep.

Take out the depleted battery and install the fresh one.

Tap the space bar and you are back in business.

I do this ALL the time.

I have never once lost data or caused a crash and I have been using PowerBooks since the 520c. :o)

Robin