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"Service Battery"

W

WesTheMage

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 17, 2011
11
0
So anyways, I was in class earlier today and noticed my battery sign was full...and bright red. So I clicked it. The status changed to "Service Battery" and has remained as such since then. I get a decent amount of usage from my computer, school/gaming/etc, as I have windows 7 on a partition that I made with bootcamp. Now, the only reason I'm asking if this is normal or not is because my mom has had her MBP for a little over a year longer than I have had mine. I got mine in August '10.

I did do some googling and read that there have been issues with this notification being given falsely in the past. Is this the case or does my battery need replacing?

EDIT: Forgot to list the battery info. Here.

Battery Information:

Model Information:
Serial Number: W00344H6CD3LA
Manufacturer: SMP
Device name: bq20z451
Pack Lot Code: 0000
PCB Lot Code: 0000
Firmware Version: 0201
Hardware Revision: 000a
Cell Revision: 0165
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 714
Fully charged: No
Charging: Yes
Full charge capacity (mAh): 4378
Health Information:
Cycle count: 661
Condition: Check Battery
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): 3142
Voltage (mV): 11927
 
Last edited:
WesTheMage said:
So anyways, I was in class earlier today and noticed my battery sign was full...and bright red. So I clicked it. The status changed to "Service Battery" and has remained as such since then. I get a decent amount of usage from my computer, school/gaming/etc, as I have windows 7 on a partition that I made with bootcamp. Now, the only reason I'm asking if this is normal or not is because my mom has had her MBP for a little over a year longer than I have had mine. I got mine in August '10.

I did do some googling and read that there have been issues with this notification being given falsely in the past. Is this the case or does my battery need replacing?

EDIT: Forgot to list the battery info. Here.

Battery Information:

Model Information:
Serial Number: W00344H6CD3LA
Manufacturer: SMP
Device name: bq20z451
Pack Lot Code: 0000
PCB Lot Code: 0000
Firmware Version: 0201
Hardware Revision: 000a
Cell Revision: 0165
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 714
Fully charged: No
Charging: Yes
Full charge capacity (mAh): 4378
Health Information:
Cycle count: 661
Condition: Check Battery
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): 3142
Voltage (mV): 11927
Click to expand...

Not hard to believe if you've had 661 charge cycles
 
WesTheMage said:
I think it's funny that some of the things on it have started to malfunction, though in small ways, after the 1 year warranty was up.

But anyways, 1k charge cycles? Think I could get them to replace it then, or does it have to be under that 1yr warranty?
Click to expand...

it has to retain 80% capacity after 1000 cycles. if not, they should replace it.
 
GuitarG20 said:
it has to retain 80% capacity after 1000 cycles. if not, they should replace it.
Click to expand...

How can I tell what the original capacity was? Have to forgive me, I'm still a bit of a windows junkie. Don't know much about my computer lol.
 
Guess it's time to replace it.


Go to the apple store and let them run checks on it for free.

Sometimes it's a false alarm.

If it's defective demand a replacement
 
GGJstudios said:
That depends on whether the OP bought AppleCare coverage, as their original warranty is expired.
Click to expand...

I thought battery capacity was independent of AppleCare because it's supposed to retain battery life or it was defective before their warranty expired, which is argument enough to eventually get a replacement.
 
GuitarG20 said:
I thought battery capacity was independent of AppleCare because it's supposed to retain battery life or it was defective before their warranty expired, which is argument enough to eventually get a replacement.
Click to expand...
Battery replacement for defective batteries is only available if the battery is covered by warranty or AppleCare. Read the first part of the Battery FAQ, which gives details. There have been instances where an Apple rep made an exception, but the official position is that batteries are only covered for defects in manufacturing and only during the warranty or AppleCare coverage period.
 
It appears to have been a false alarm, the notification went away after a couple days and a few complete recharges. Thanks for all your help.
 
WesTheMage said:
It appears to have been a false alarm, the notification went away after a couple days and a few complete recharges. Thanks for all your help.
Click to expand...

It appears when battery health drops below 75% or so, since battery health fluctuates all the time, it really doesn't mean much.
 
snaky69 said:
It appears when battery health drops below 75% or so, since battery health fluctuates all the time, it really doesn't mean much.
Click to expand...

Actually, it appeared at all times, regardless of battery state. However, I am currently at 26% and running just fine without the warning, no problems. Thanks anyways.
 
WesTheMage said:
Actually, it appeared at all times, regardless of battery state. However, I am currently at 26% and running just fine without the warning, no problems. Thanks anyways.
Click to expand...

Not charge percentage, health percentage. Meaning that when the battery is only able to hold 75% of its NIB charge capacity it prompts you to seek service.
 
diamond.g said:
Not charge percentage, health percentage. Meaning that when the battery is only able to hold 75% of its NIB charge capacity it prompts you to seek service.
Click to expand...
This is what I was talking about. I believe you misread me.

Charge percentage and health are two very different things.
 
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