Jeremy Fieldsend jeremy@redacted.invalid wrote:
I know that the battery life of my PowerBook G4 isn't impressive and I really only expect an hour or so out of it. However, was is irritating is that the machine shuts down (without warning) when the menu bar display gets down to only about 37 per cent. It used to warn me when it got to about 25 per cent but these days it can't be arsed to do even that. Screen goes black and that's that. When I open up with the mains plugged in, only an hour later, it tells me there is 0 per cent.
time to recondition it? or perhaps reset the power management?
Jeremy Fieldsend wrote:
I know that the battery life of my PowerBook G4 isn't impressive and I really only expect an hour or so out of it. However, was is irritating is that the machine shuts down (without warning) when the menu bar display gets down to only about 37 per cent. It used to warn me when it got to about 25 per cent but these days it can't be arsed to do even that. Screen goes black and that's that. When I open up with the mains plugged in, only an hour later, it tells me there is 0 per cent.
How old is the battery?
I had the same problem as you. It is worth trying to recalibrate the battery (full discharge followed by full charge) but the poor thing my be simply worn out. Mine was coming up two years old and had very heavy use (I would frequently use battery at presentations even when power was avialable). Lithium-based batteries do have a limited number of charge/discharge cycles. (see http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm)
Despite the high cost of a replacement for my 12-inch PB, I decided enough was enough and spent the money. Result: nearly 4 hours of battery life and no more sudden warningless black screens. I feel it was worth the money and have resolved to plug the machine in more when the opportunity is there.
If you do buy another one, do follow the instructions and calibrtate it.
D
David ukmacposts@redacted.invalid wrote:
Interesting.
How old is the battery?
Must be around 2 - 3 years now. I rarely ask the battery to do much at all. But perhaps it is, as you suggest, knackered.
Elliott Roper wrote:
In article 1106729426.033167.21440@redacted.invalid, David ukmacposts@redacted.invalid wrote:
Two years near enough. Power cycles: lots and lots. Like I said. It was always running on battery when I was out and about presenting. It had a good innings ....
My 12" PB is 14 months old, lives mostly on the mains, and is now getting about 2:20 from a full charge. I'm trying to build up a picture of how soon and how suddenly it will drop to 1 hour, which will be replacement time.
Gradually. But do take a look at http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm
if you have time.
Jeremy Fieldsend wrote:
I know that the battery life of my PowerBook G4 isn't impressive and I really only expect an hour or so out of it. However, was is irritating is that the machine shuts down (without warning) when the menu bar display gets down to only about 37 per cent. It used to warn me when it got to about 25 per cent but these days it can't be arsed to do even that. Screen goes black and that's that. When I open up with the mains plugged in, only an hour later, it tells me there is 0 per cent.
-- Jeremy jeremyatcommunityhypenrelationsdotcoetc
I had this with my iBook. There are endless discussions about how to retrieve batteries from this state but having tried I don't think any of them are very good. When I bought my PowerBook I adopted the strategy that Apple suggest on their web site (it amounts to using mains wherever you can and do a full discharge once a month), and I'm hoping for the best...
http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html Hope this helps,
Ian.Jeremy Fieldsend jeremy@redacted.invalid wrote:
How old is the battery?
Must be around 2 - 3 years now. I rarely ask the battery to do much at all. But perhaps it is, as you suggest, knackered.
My 15" TiBook's three years old, has been run off mains most of the time (whenever I could find a plug) and now has only a short battery life- less than an hour I reckon. I live with it. If I needed a reliable battery, I'd buy a new one. Computers are expensive.
Elliott Roper nospam@redacted.invalid wrote:
In article 1106729426.033167.21440@redacted.invalid, David ukmacposts@redacted.invalid wrote:
Soon.
In article 1gr02ec.aneelanoq1koN%jeremy@redacted.invalid, Jeremy Fieldsend jeremy@redacted.invalid wrote:
Elliott Roper nospam@redacted.invalid wrote:
In article 1106729426.033167.21440@redacted.invalid, David ukmacposts@redacted.invalid wrote:
Soon.
Heh!
David ukmacposts@redacted.invalid wrote:
Elliott Roper wrote:
In article 1106729426.033167.21440@redacted.invalid, David ukmacposts@redacted.invalid wrote:
Two years near enough. Power cycles: lots and lots. Like I said. It was always running on battery when I was out and about presenting. It had a good innings ....
My 12" PB is 14 months old, lives mostly on the mains, and is now getting about 2:20 from a full charge. I'm trying to build up a picture of how soon and how suddenly it will drop to 1 hour, which will be replacement time.
Gradually. But do take a look at http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm
if you have time.
any ideas what the capasity of the new battery is? and old? ibatt gives 3.369 ah here just about to resett PWU as its just shuuting down etc no warning just poof gone.
well it claims i will get just shy of 3hrs but as i have the screen to full etc, it tends to be nearer 2 than 3 will see how it goes.
roger