Are Unibody MBP Batteries 'technically' interchangeable between SIZES?

[KingCornWallis]

Hi there, I have a stack of used unibody 17" A1297 (A1383), 15" A1286 (A1382) and 13" A1278 (A1322) batteries. Some are probably bad, and a few good. I would like to test all and sell as a lot.

Unfortunately, I don't have a 15" MacBook Pro anymore (conveniently accessible that is), only 13" and 17". Now I have examined the connectors (identical) and the voltage (10.95V; identical) on each, and other than the glaringly obvious size differences they should work interchangeablely. I only need to boot the computer and get a coconut battery screenshot, with a careful yet precarious setup as the laptop will be used on a supported angle with an open bottom.


Any reason why this wouldn't work? I am aware this is not a 'best practice', so I've covered that if that's all you cared to comment. Thanks for reading!

 

[macaddiict]

The connectors are identical but the SMC on the 13" is expecting a specific range of values and it is not going to be correct, so who knows what coconutbattery will tell you.. Same for the 17" in the opposite direction.

Precariously dangling loose old lithium batteries isn't just "not a best practice" though, it's ... a bad idea outright. The correct solution is a battery tester like those NLBA make, which can read the data without you needing to install the batteries into a franken-rig to "test"

I am aware this is not a 'best practice', so I've covered that if that's all you cared to comment.

How do you plan to ship these? You might look into required labeling (ground only, specific label) and be sure when you list the lot, you don't exceed the maximum # of loose cells in each box. The penalties for shipping too many loose lithium batteries is being enforced across the major carriers in the last 6 months and the fines are astronomical if you break the shipping rules. A "lot" of used batteries is likely not shippable.

 

[KingCornWallis]

The connectors are identical but the SMC on the 13" is expecting a specific range of values and it is not going to be correct, so who knows what coconutbattery will tell you.. Same for the 17" in the opposite direction.

Precariously dangling loose old lithium batteries isn't just "not a best practice" though, it's ... a bad idea outright. The correct solution is a battery tester like those NLBA make, which can read the data without you needing to install the batteries into a franken-rig to "test"



How do you plan to ship these? You might look into required labeling (ground only, specific label) and be sure when you list the lot, you don't exceed the maximum # of loose cells in each box. The penalties for shipping too many loose lithium batteries is being enforced across the major carriers in the last 6 months and the fines are astronomical if you break the shipping rules. A "lot" of used batteries is likely not shippable.

SMC note is helpful, thanks. This is not a large lot, just a lot as in plural. Spending $600 on a battery tester I will use a few times does not seem a sound investment...and my 'best practice' remark well covers all concerns on it being a bad idea. I really don't need anyone to tell me that. Just need to know what is 'possible'. Will likely dig out the 15" for a test.