[Virtualacorn-list] Laptop battery

[Chris Newman]

In article <gemini.kb3ud00029k2s02yo at wingsandbeaks.org.uk.invalid>,
   Jeremy Nicoll - virtualacorn <jn.ml.vac.83 at wingsandbeaks.org.uk> wrote:
> Chris Newman <cvjazz at waitrose.com> wrote:

> > I bought a new battery for my laptop. Unfortunately, it would not start up
> > my machine. The machine closes down again about 2 or 3 seconds into the
> > start-up procedure. However, if I start the machine on the mains, the
> > battery will keep it going for a couple of hours.

> > The new battery is a compatible LI-ion Voltage 14.8 V, capacity 4800 mAh.

> Are you sure it's compatible?
The firm was Laptopshop & their website definitely lists this as being a
replacement for my Clevo one.

> > The battery is giving 14.8 volts but my small meter only goes up to 100 mA
> > so I did not try testing anything else.

> > I think my old battery may be giving 4.9 or 5 V which is above the 14.8
> > volt spec 

> What did you really mean?
Oops! terrible typo. I meant 14.9 or 15 V

> > I charged the new battery for 12+ hours before using it as per
> > the dealers recommendation

> How did you charge it?   If you did so in the machine concerned, and - say -
> the electrical contacts are not in the right place, it probably hasn't
> actually been charged properly. 
Did it in the machine as I don't know of another way. The connectors appear
identical & fit perfectly. There is one difference in the colour coding of
the 6 wires from the battery.
Old battery - black, black, blue, white, yellow, red, red
new battery - black, black, blue, white, orange, red, red

> > The Power meter on the laptop reports that the new battery is being
> > charged to 100% 

> I don't know how much you can trust that; presumably the software is only
> interpreting info from the battery, which might be wrong.

> > The firm very quickly sent a replacement battery but the result is the
> > same. My old battery will correctly start the laptop although now it only
> > keeps it going for a few minutes.

> When you look at the two batteries do they have the exact same size, shape,
> electrical contacts etc? 

Yes, apart from the wire colour difference mentioned above.

> > My laptop is a Clevo Model D27ES, supplied by Microdigital in
> > 2003 with Virtual Acorn. I am presuming the computer takes more power to
> > start up (spinning up the hard disc etc.) than it does to keep running,
> > hence the phenomenon I am getting.

> I doubt that's the problem.  I think the battery is not getting charged.

> > Has anyone experienced this before? Apart from sending the batteries back
> > & trying another firm, is there anything I could explore to improve the
> > situation?

> Contact whoever deals with Clevo these days?  A quick google gives, 
> from the Clevo website:
>   
>  U.K. Service Center 
>  ADD: Unit 39, Rainbow Industrial Estate, Trout road, West Drayton,
>       Middx.  UB7, 7XT U.K. 
>  TEL: +44-1895-430333
>  FAX: +44-1895-438338
>  E-mail: service at goldenstaruk.com

Many thanks, jeremy. I'll investigate.

-- 
Chris