Types of Laptop Batteries Revealed

There are three types of laptop batteries: Nickel-Cadmium (nicad or NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH), and Lithium Batteries (Li-Ion, Li-Poly).

The Nickel batteries are the older version of batteries and are not commonly used in new laptops since Lithium batteries came into the market.

The Lithium batteries hold charge better than the Nickel batteries, therefore if you are going to purchase a Laptop it is better that you choose one with Lithium battery so that it will hold charge better and for a longer length of time.

These kinds of types of laptop batteries, Li-Ion (and Li-Poly) batteries, are the Leading Edge battery technology and are currently the ideal selection for use on Laptops due to their high energy density and high voltage.

A typical Li-Ion cell is rated at 3,6V and this is three times more than the typical NiCd or NiMH cell voltage (1,2V).

Batteries charge depends on their capacity to hold power. Generally laptop battery will hold charge for four to five hours.

This depends on the usage of the laptop, if you are going to use the laptop actively for all functions, then the battery might hold charge for a lesser period of time.

One way of conserving power, with all types of laptop batteries, is to go to your Power Management settings icon in the Control Panel.

You can shut off settings or programs you do not use. Also consider dimming your screen and shutting off your wireless card when you don't need it.

Most of the three types of laptop batteries today are designed for a recharging approximately 400 times.

Technically, your battery should give you good service for about two years. You should follow instructions given by the manufacturer when you buy your Laptop.

All batteries, regardless of the type, should be recharged once they tell you that the recharge is necessary.

It is not advisable that you allow your battery to blank out before every recharge. This will most likely damage the battery and reduce the battery life.

All batteries start losing their capacities once the charging is not done properly, it will take you some time to notice the change. A battery which once lasted for more than three days, now requires charging everyday.

Once this starts happening, the deterioration is faster and you may require replacing the battery within a few months or earlier.

In case of Li-Ion Laptop batteries you can try rebuilding them (see below information about rebuilding batteries).

Batteries need to be handled carefully and their recharging routine needs to be followed carefully, without which there might damage, thus reducing the life of the battery.

Memory effect, also known as lazy battery effect, is an effect observed in some rechargeable batteries that causes them to hold less charge.

In its basic meaning it describes one very specific situation in which certain batteries gradually lose their maximum energy capacity if they are repeatedly recharged after being only partially discharged.

Today, the term is commonly applied to almost any situation in which a battery appears to hold less charge than was expected, or when a battery is charged when it still has half of its life left several times, the battery will only discharge half the expected amount of power.

This Memory Effect applies almost exclusively to the older types of laptop batteries: Nickel-Cadmium (nicad or NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH), and does not normally apply to the newer Lithium (Li-Ion, Li-Poly) batteries, however, Li-Ion batteries are not as durable as NiMH and NiCd batteries.

Rebuilding Types of Laptop Batteries

Although not recommended, due to the danger and effort involved, if you are a Technical Person and likes to do things yourself, it is possible to rebuild your battery yourself. We recommend you visit Electronics Lab for instructions on how you may rebuild your battery.

If you are going to rebuild your battery special precautions must be taken to avoid Li-Ion battery fire up or explosion that can cause serious injuries.

This is because Lithium when it comes in contact with water or air's moisture burns violently. Never try to extinguish such a fire with water, but only with a suitable extinguisher.

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