Dell battery User Guide

Dell battery User Guide

Battery Performance

NOTE: For information about the Dell warranty for your computer, see the Product Information Guide or separate paper warranty document that shipped with your computer.

For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings, operate your Dell portable computer with the main battery installed at all times. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay.

NOTE: Because the Dell 6400 battery may not be fully charged, use the AC adapter to connect your new computer to an electrical outlet the first time you use the computer. For best results, operate the computer with the AC adapter until the battery is fully charged. To view battery charge status, click the Start button, click Control Panel, double-click Power Options, and then click the Power Meter tab.

Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions.

NOTE: Battery operating time (the time the inspiron 1720 battery can hold a charge) decreases over time. Depending on how often the battery is used and the conditions under which it is used, you may need to purchase a new battery during the life of your computer.

Operating time is significantly reduced when you perform operations including, but not limited to, the following:

• Using optical drives
• Using wireless communications devices, PC Cards, or USB devices
• Using high-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power-intensive programs such as 3D games
• Running the computer in maximum performance mode.

NOTE: It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet when writing to a CD or DVD.

You can check the Dell D620 battery charge (see Checking the Battery Charge) before you insert the battery into the computer. You can also set power management options to alert you when the battery charge is low (see Configuring Power Management Settings).

CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the Dell D630 battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell. The battery is designed to work with your Dell computer. Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer.

CAUTION: Do not dispose of batteries with household waste. When your battery no longer holds a charge, call your local waste disposal or environmental agency for advice on disposing of a lithium-ion battery. See "Battery Disposal" in the Product Information Guide.

CAUTION: Misuse of the Dell D620 battery may increase the risk of fire or chemical burn. Do not puncture, incinerate, disassemble, or expose the battery to temperatures above 65 (149). Keep the battery away from children. Handle damaged or leaking batteries with extreme care. Damaged batteries may leak and cause personal injury or equipment damage.

Checking the Battery Charge

The Dell QuickSet Battery Meter, the Microsoft Windows Power Meter window and icon, the XPS m140 battery charge gauge, and the low-battery warning provide information on the battery charge.

Dell QuickSet Battery Meter

If Dell QuickSet is installed, press

to display the QuickSet Battery Meter. The inspiron e1705 Battery Meter displays status, battery health, charge level, and charge completion time for the battery in your computer.

Microsoft Windows Power Meter

The Windows Power Meter indicates the remaining 40D battery grip charge. To check the Power Meter, double-click the icon on the taskbar.

If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a icon appears.

Charge Gauge

Before you insert a DV1000 battery, press the status button on the battery charge gauge to illuminate the charge-level lights. Each light represents approximately 20 percent of the total battery charge. For example, if the battery has 80 percent of its charge remaining, four of the lights are on. If no lights appear, the battery has no charge.

Health Gauge

The battery operating time is largely determined by the number of times it is charged. After hundreds of charge and discharge cycles, DV2000 battery lose some charge capacity, or battery health. To check the battery health, press and hold the status button on the battery charge gauge for at least 3 seconds. If no lights appear, the battery is in good condition, and more than 80 percent of its original charge capacity remains. Each light represents incremental degradation. If five lights appear, less than 60 percent of the charge capacity remains, and you should consider replacing the battery. See Specifications for more information about the battery operating time.

NOTICE: To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a low-battery warning. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet, or install a second battery in the media bay. If the battery runs completely out of power, hibernate mode begins automatically.

A low-battery warning occurs when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. The computer beeps once, indicating that minimal battery operating time remains. During that time, the speaker beeps periodically. If two DV4000 batteries are installed, the low-battery warning means that the combined charge of both batteries is approximately 90 percent depleted. The computer enters hibernate mode when the battery charge is at a critically low level. For more information about low-battery alarms, see Configuring Power Management Settings.

Conserving Battery Power

Perform the following actions to conserve battery power:

• Connect the computer to an electrical outlet when possible because battery life is largely determined by the number of times the battery is used and recharged.
• Place the computer in standby mode or hibernate mode (see Power Management Modes) when you leave the computer unattended for long periods of time.
• Use the Power Management Wizard (see Configuring Power Management Settings) to select options to optimize your computer's power usage. These options can also be set to change when you press the power button, close the display, or press Fn Esc;.

Charging the Battery

NOTE: With Dell ExpressCharge , when the computer is turned off, the AC adapter charges a completely discharged Dell 1300 battery to 80 percent in about 1 hour and to 100 percent in approximately 2 hours. Charge time is longer with the computer turned on. You can leave the battery in the computer for as long as you like. The battery's internal circuitry prevents the battery from overcharging.

NOTE: If you want to use a 9-cell inspiron 1300 battery to obtain Dell ExpressCharge, you need to use it in conjunction with a 90-W AC adapter.

When you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery while the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the computer checks the battery charge and temperature. If necessary, the AC adapter then charges the battery and maintains the battery charge.

If the battery is hot from being used in your computer or being in a hot environment, the battery may not charge when you connect the computer to an electrical outlet.

The Dell 6000 battery is too hot to start charging if the light flashes alternately green and orange. Disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet and allow the computer and the battery to cool to room temperature. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet to continue charging the battery.

Replacing the Battery

CAUTION: Before performing these procedures, turn off the computer, disconnect the AC adapter from the electrical outlet and the computer, disconnect the modem from the wall connector and computer, and remove any other external cables from the computer.

CAUTION: Using an incompatible GD761 or U4873 battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell. The battery is designed to work with your Dell computer. Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer.

NOTICE: You must remove all external cables from the computer to avoid possible connector damage.

To remove the battery:
• If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions.
• Ensure that the computer is turned off or in hibernate mode (see Hibernate Mode).Slide the two battery-bay latch releases on the bottom of the computer toward the sides of the computer until they are engaged.
• Grasp the battery by the Dell 1525 battery tab and slide the battery horizontally toward the front of the computer.
• Lift to remove the battery from the bay.

  To replace the battery, follow the removal procedure in reverse order.

  Storing a Battery

  Remove the Dell 1520 battery when you store your computer for an extended period of time. A battery discharges during prolonged storage. After a long storage period, recharge the battery fully before you use it.

  The document is from Dell.com support