i can't find the thread, but tell that to the hundreds of people who posted their coconut battery data and how they used their laptop, and the numerous people who came to the conclusion that I did.
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what is the secret to good battery health?
- Thread starter bchamorro
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i can't find the thread, but tell that to the hundreds of people who posted their coconut battery data and how they used their laptop, and the numerous people who came to the conclusion that I did.
deep discharge vs small discharge.... I fall into the small discharge camp. I don't go out of my way to totally discharge my mbp. If I am near power, I'll plug it in. If I'm not near a power outlet, I'll run my machine off of the battery. After 8 months of use on a June 2009 13" mbp:
Battery Information:
Model Information:
Manufacturer: SMP
Device name: bq20z451
Pack Lot Code: 0000
PCB Lot Code: 0000
Firmware Version: 0003
Hardware Revision: 0002
Cell Revision: 0100
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 5308
Fully charged: Yes
Charging: No
Full charge capacity (mAh): 5312
Health Information:
Cycle count: 52
Condition: Normal
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): 0
Voltage (mV): 12533
Battery Information:
Model Information:
Manufacturer: SMP
Device name: bq20z451
Pack Lot Code: 0000
PCB Lot Code: 0000
Firmware Version: 0003
Hardware Revision: 0002
Cell Revision: 0100
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 5308
Fully charged: Yes
Charging: No
Full charge capacity (mAh): 5312
Health Information:
Cycle count: 52
Condition: Normal
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): 0
Voltage (mV): 12533
Well, you can base your argument on assorted forum posters, but I'm basing mine on the laws of physics.
A lithium battery will give maximal performance and longevity with "small" charge/discharge cycles. I.e. don't let the battery get exhausted on a regular basis.
Sure, but what choice do you have apart from never charging your battery to 100%?
I mean, you have the following choices
(a) you charge it to 100%, then unplug it from the charger. It sits indefinitely at 100%, after 2 weeks it is still at 95%, after 4 weeks it is at 90%, etc, or
(b) charge to 100%, leave it on the charger. After 2 weeks it is at 95% and the charger kicks it back up to 100%, or
(c) only ever charge it to 80% and get a theoretically longer battery life. You have to watch it charge and unplug it by hand when it reaches 80% full
My point is that there is no practical difference between (a) and (b) unless you plan not to use your Mac for months and months, when I agree (a) is slightly better. I agree that (c) might in theory make your battery last longer, but all the evidence is that the battery lasts a hell of a long time doing (b).
If you plan to use your Mac within 300 hours, there is no difference between (a) and (b). If you plan to store your Mac for >300 hours then (a) is slightly better than (b) and (c) even better.
Since I use to take my mbp to work everyday I would use it at work (first got there on battery till it was time to charge) and was plugged in till the end of my shift put it to sleep go home.
Came home, plugged it in used it then next day put it to sleep go to work samething.
But now that it stays at home plugged in 24/7 since I'm always downloading, always online, or crunching. Unless I need to move to the living room or other parts of the apartment I take it off the plug.
But I try to discharge it once or twice a month completely
Came home, plugged it in used it then next day put it to sleep go to work samething.
But now that it stays at home plugged in 24/7 since I'm always downloading, always online, or crunching. Unless I need to move to the living room or other parts of the apartment I take it off the plug.
But I try to discharge it once or twice a month completely
two last questions..
I know this is a very old trick, back from when I got older video cameras for instance. But I was always told when you get a new battery power it up to 100%, then totally drain it, then power it back up to 100%.
Does this still apply? I heave heard no, while also hearing it won't hurt, so why not.
I use my G5 for my major projects and MBP (late 2007) for smaller projects, and then mainly the net. Basically what every Laptop owner does.
Since I now have 2 batteries. Would it be better to use the old battery while flying, since I am charging via Apple Airplane charger? I guess the same could apply when I keep my laptop on the charger for long periods of time.
When I first got my MBP I was great with the battery, but looking back I have become lazy with it, so it's a lesson learned.
Just trying to get the most out of my purchase. Since I need to save for the new Mac Pro Desktop line, and maybe a iTouch (I have to see it in action first), and read about the bugs and all, like I do with most new technologies.
Thanks for any info on those 2 questions. I know these battery questions are annoying to many, but to those who help you know what comes around goes around, so I am sure we can help you sometime, such as Final Cut Pro, Aperture, Photoshop CS, and many other great programs.
I know this is a very old trick, back from when I got older video cameras for instance. But I was always told when you get a new battery power it up to 100%, then totally drain it, then power it back up to 100%.
Does this still apply? I heave heard no, while also hearing it won't hurt, so why not.
I use my G5 for my major projects and MBP (late 2007) for smaller projects, and then mainly the net. Basically what every Laptop owner does.
Since I now have 2 batteries. Would it be better to use the old battery while flying, since I am charging via Apple Airplane charger? I guess the same could apply when I keep my laptop on the charger for long periods of time.
When I first got my MBP I was great with the battery, but looking back I have become lazy with it, so it's a lesson learned.
Just trying to get the most out of my purchase. Since I need to save for the new Mac Pro Desktop line, and maybe a iTouch (I have to see it in action first), and read about the bugs and all, like I do with most new technologies.
Thanks for any info on those 2 questions. I know these battery questions are annoying to many, but to those who help you know what comes around goes around, so I am sure we can help you sometime, such as Final Cut Pro, Aperture, Photoshop CS, and many other great programs.
I regularly use my battery. 1/2 the time I use the ac adapter 1/2 on the battery. 1.5 years old. 565 cycles and 97% health.
I have come to the conclusion that there is no secret because regardless of what you will do, the battery will only get worse. I just called AppleCare an hour ago and got a new battery, no questions asked. This is now my 3rd battery on a 3 year old computer. I know what the deal is with calibrating and all that, but the life of my batteries is still god awful. It seems that a cell in the battery died this time (and it is a Sony for reference, again). It had 98 cycles and a life between 40-75%. Sure, you can have good battery life, my MacBook has 500 cycles and still is at 85% life. But, there is a big chance that it will fail.
I've got a late '08 machine with 33 cycles on it.
For the first many months it stayed almost exclusively on the charger, but I did run it off of battery occasionally. The health stayed at 99 or 100%.
Then I began using it on battery a bit more, and the health dropped to 96-98%.
For quite a while now it's been at 96%, so I decided to let it go all the way until it dies and the computer shuts down. I then left it in that discharged state for 3-4 hours, and then plugged it back in and let it charge fully. The battery health was then 99%, and I was pretty happy.
After a couple days though, it has now dropped to 94% health and seems to be stuck there after the deep discharge.
For the first many months it stayed almost exclusively on the charger, but I did run it off of battery occasionally. The health stayed at 99 or 100%.
Then I began using it on battery a bit more, and the health dropped to 96-98%.
For quite a while now it's been at 96%, so I decided to let it go all the way until it dies and the computer shuts down. I then left it in that discharged state for 3-4 hours, and then plugged it back in and let it charge fully. The battery health was then 99%, and I was pretty happy.
After a couple days though, it has now dropped to 94% health and seems to be stuck there after the deep discharge.
My current (2nd) battery is dying after 9 months. I followed all of the "rules" regarding calibrating, running it on battery until it drains, etc. and still no love. Same thing with the first battery as well. On the flipside, my work comp (a Dell) is still running strong after 3 years after random plugging in and unplugging. The Compaq I had before my MBP lasted 4 years before the juice started to diminish. I don't know what the hell Apple is doing with the batteries or their charging algorithm but 3 batteries in less than 2 years is unacceptable.
I have never even thought about my battery health and my January 2009 macbook pro has 100% health according to istat.
My current battery was at 100% up until about 1 month ago. Then it took a nosedive.
Everyone in this thread here is WRONG. 
In order to have a healthy relationship with your battery, you will need to spice things up a bit.. i mean come on, you can't do the same positions over and over.. try something new.
Above all, you should caress your battery, and listen to it. Ask it what it thinks about certain actions. Talk to it, and make it sound you care. I mean, you can't just say "Goin' for the full hundred percent tonight baby!" How would YOU feel if you were abused that much every time.
You have to learn being gentle to it. It will really help you create a healthy, long and friendly relationship which will last for years..
In order to have a healthy relationship with your battery, you will need to spice things up a bit.. i mean come on, you can't do the same positions over and over.. try something new.
Above all, you should caress your battery, and listen to it. Ask it what it thinks about certain actions. Talk to it, and make it sound you care. I mean, you can't just say "Goin' for the full hundred percent tonight baby!" How would YOU feel if you were abused that much every time.
You have to learn being gentle to it. It will really help you create a healthy, long and friendly relationship which will last for years..