How does a notebook battery work

A notebook battery works in much the same way as batteries that go into portable CD players, remote controls, and shower radios. Just like the batteries used in these household items, notebook batteries come in different sizes based upon the size of the notebook. notebook batteries however, contain within them complex charging circuitry that works together with a notebook’s hardware.

Inside each notebook battery are internal power cells. These power cells are arranged in a series and are parallel to each other. This is done in order to maximize the voltage level for the battery as a whole. In addition these cells are controlled by a circuit board. The circuit board regulates how the cells work for both the process of discharging and recharging energy. It makes sure that your battery is not overcharged when charging, and it makes sure that each cell drains the same amount so you can have a longer run time.

Inside each battery there are also positive and negative electrodes. In order to power your notebook, a chemical reaction occurs with both the positive and negative electrodes. This reaction flows in a specific way in order to discharge energy. Plugging in your adapter reverses this process in order to recharge your battery. The process of reversing the chemical reaction occurs for both positive and negative electrodes. To make both the discharge of energy as well as recharge process work, this process must be exact. If not, then a short-circuit may occur. This process is basically the same whether your battery runs on Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), or Lithium Polymer (Li-Poly).

This process is then regulated by hardware within your notebook. The hardware in your notebook ensures that the cells are functioning to their capacity. This is what also allows you to check the life left on your notebook battery before it needs to be recharged. A battery symbol is typically displayed on the right corner of your task bar. This symbol graphically shows how much energy has been discharged as well as how much is left.

Although a notebook battery is rechargeable, it does have a limited life span. A typical battery usually lasts for about 500-700 charges before it will no longer be capable of recharging, and a replacement is necessary. The amount of charges can vary depending on the main use of your notebook. Some functions require more energy then others. Using functions such as a DVD player or using the brigh test screen setting can drain the battery quicker, thus requiring it to be charged sooner. The more often you need to charge your battery, the sooner the battery will be drained of its life span.

Boost your laptop battery life

Avoid watching DVD’s on battery and watch downloads since DVD’s consume a larger amount of power. You can always save your downloads on the hard disk and watch them as and when you desire. If you need to free up your disk space you can transfer the data to other drives or even Ipod’s.

Some people argue that they keep their notebook always on power and never use the battery. This in fact causes greater damage to your machine as your battery is likely to wear off sooner than it should since it has forgotten how to retain a charge. You tend to aggravate the problem if you keep your machine plugged 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The simple solution to this is to pull out the wire and after some time plug it in for a recharge. It’s a bit of a bother but do consider the fact that you delay the expenditure of purchasing a new replacement battery which generally costs around $100 and still continue to derive the maximum benefits from the battery you had purchased. Old, discarded batteries have a tendency to leak and cause damage to the internals of the notebook. It is in your interest to look after your battery to have a healthy notebook operational for a longer duration at the lowest cost.