Computer Problems? Computing.Net has over 1,000,000 posts about all things technology related! Over 90% answered within 24 hours! Click here to start participating now! Also, be sure to check out the New User Guide.
External battery charger?
Name: bluestarz Date: February 27, 2005 at 00:03:11 Pacific OS: windows 98 CPU/Ram: 266 mhz 64mb ram
Comment:
Hi. My question is regarding the charging of laptop batteries. I have a thinkpad 600 and I noticed on ebay awhile back that someone was selling an external battery charger for this type and model laptop. That got me to thinking whether it is better (or not) to charge the battery separately from the laptop itself. Or is it basically the same and would be a waste of money? Anyone have any opinions or first hand knowledge?
Name: Rimfire Date: February 27, 2005 at 00:20:41 Pacific
Reply:
This really depends on how you use the laptop. If it's not a problem to charge the spare battery before you need it, then it is probably a waste of money. If you support several similar laptops and keep spare batteries on hand for emergencies, the a standalone charger would be a must have.
You're probably somewhere inbetween. What do you think?
0
Response Number 2
Name: name Date: February 27, 2005 at 08:28:56 Pacific
Reply:
Make absolutely sure that you either buy an IBM charger, or one that's "reputable." Just about all IBM batteries, including my now defunk 380XD, and my current 600X, have considerable, complicated circuitry INSIDE the battery. These are not easily repairable, and batteries are expensive.
A cheap, poorly engineered charger could "fix" one of these pretty fast.
0
Response Number 3
Name: bluestarz Date: February 27, 2005 at 09:34:55 Pacific
Reply:
I only have the 1 laptop but I do have 2 batteries so I'm not sure if that warrants buying one.
I checked on IBM's website and the charger they list is 02k6499 which is what I saw on ebay.
Another thing that I'm hearing about thinkpads is that they sometimes overcharge the batteries doing mare harm than good. For that reason alone would be worth it to at least explore the external charger idea.
Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.
0
Response Number 4
Name: Rimfire Date: February 27, 2005 at 14:15:20 Pacific
Reply:
As Name mentioned, the IBM batteries have internal circuitry to prevent overcharging. I don't think that you will have any problems in this regard.
0
Response Number 5
Name: bluestarz Date: February 27, 2005 at 22:14:30 Pacific
Reply:
Well you've both convinced me it isn't worth it.
Thanks again for the help. I love this place.
0
Response Number 6
Name: Rimfire Date: February 27, 2005 at 23:48:57 Pacific
Reply:
Do you pay commission on the money we saved you?
Only kidding!
0
Response Number 7
Name: Teresa Dorward Date: March 2, 2005 at 07:19:53 Pacific
Reply:
It appears that I have blown my charger board on my TIME laptop. Anyone know if the repair will be e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e (if at all possible)?
0
Response Number 8
Name: Rimfire Date: March 2, 2005 at 11:35:26 Pacific
Reply:
Thersa, start your own thread. I only saw your post because I have been too slack to clan up my tracking.
Summary: Hi, I have a Toshiba Satellite 1115-S103 and I need to charge its battery without using the computer. Is there some kind of stand alone battery charger I can use to charge the battery without havin...
Summary: My compaq armada will not charge the battery. I have tried a new battery only to have it run down, the laptop will not recharge? Anyway to check to see if recharge circuit is working? How to recharge ...
Summary: LOL...don't know much about notebooks, do you? An external battery plugs into the same port you use to connect your AC adapter/charger. You'll have to search to see if you can find one that's compatib...
0 
