Fliptop Battery Problems, how to keep it alive.

Submitted: Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 21:20

ThreadID: 63163 Views:2894 Replies:7 FollowUps:2

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Best Off Road

Many of us use fliptops, for accessing sites like this, navigating, general pleasure and work.

I posted about two weeks ago that my flippie battery wouldn't recharge. Got a lot of good advice, but unfortunately nothing fixed it.

A call to the HP tech desk and we tested it over the phone: diagnosis, battery knackered (it was only 12 months old), no prob, replaced under warranty.

My diagnosis is that I had run the flippie for months on end from 240 volt without ever using the battery. Then when it was used, it went flat and died.

Prior to this flippie, I had a company one and regularly ran it from the battery as I went from place to place. It lasted for 4 years and was going strong when we parted company.

The moral of the story seems to that a flippie battery is like a muscle, if not used it will waste away.

Jim.

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Reply By: Trekkie (Member - WA) - Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 21:33

Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 21:33

Jim
Probably true of all batteries - keep them charged at all times. Cars Caravan Boat
I have a Dell at work - its in a docking station 24/7 (rarely leaves the office - not sure why I have a lap top) Never had a problem with the battery - holds charge whenever I take it away from docking station.

AnswerID: 333259

Reply By: darrell.QLD - Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 21:42

Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 21:42

I thought the same thing Jim...experts said,,your deep cycle
batt is stuffed...from not using it.......Guess what??
I took it out ...put it back in the troopy and that battery hasnt
stopped working since (RUNNING FRIDGE IN BACK}
3years old now

AnswerID: 333260

Follow Up By: darrell.QLD - Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 21:48

Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 21:48

Just reread that post..Best Off Road
Ignore my answer(too many reds )

FollowupID: 601114

Reply By: Zukscooter - Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 23:48

Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 23:48

Jim is this flippie flop thinghy anything like the Chit chat rule thinghy here?
Bob.

AnswerID: 333281

Reply By: Boobook2 - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 06:51

Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 06:51

Agreed Jim, my laptop is was the same.

The best way to preserve the battery is to charge it then remove it while on 240V, that way it doesn't overcharge over time in the laptop. Your battery will last 3 - 4 years longer.

AnswerID: 333296

Reply By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 11:00

Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 11:00

A lot of laptop batteries suffer from "charge memory". That means that over time if you only use a small portion of the available charge then eventually the battery will only supply that small amount. They need to be flattened every now and then so they don't waste away.

AnswerID: 333342

Reply By: Mike Harding - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 13:58

Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 13:58

I think you're referring to rechargeable lithium batteries?

I'm no expert on this technology but my understanding is that the fast charging algorithms for these devices are a bit on the complex side and the batteries have an embedded microcontroller to oversee what's going on. I understand the micro may sometimes become a little confused as to the real state of charge of the battery and prevent it supplying power even though it has sufficient reserves. ie. instead of allowing the battery to drain to 0% the micro cuts it off at (say) 30%. The solution to this problem I'm told is to occasionally allow the battery to drain to zero in its appliance - ie. leave your mobile phone on until it cuts out by itself.

Then again... I might be talking drivel? :)

Mike Harding

AnswerID: 333380

Reply By: Maîneÿ (wa) - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 15:16

Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 15:16

After reading this thread this morning I disconnected my Dell from 240v @ 10.15 Am and now @ 1.15 Pm the battery gauge is now showing 22% capacity (35 Minutes) remaining.

Battery is 11 months old.

Mainey . . .

AnswerID: 333401