Gateway C-140S, Reference Manual, Page: 98 / 172

CHAPTER 7 : Maintaining Your Notebook
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Batteries with fuel gauges (convertible notebooks) should be
recalibrated once every 30 charges. If ignored, the fuel gauge
becomes increasingly less accurate and in some cases will cut
off the device prematurely. For more information about
recalibrating the batteries, see
“Recalibrating the batteries” on
page 71 .
Using the right charger is important. By now you probably
know that each kind of battery has its own technology, its own
rate of charge, and so on. Charging lithium batteries correctly
is one way to extend their life and to avoid damage.
Clean the gold or silver connector on the batteries (the part
of the battery that makes contact with the convertible
notebook) with alcohol or electronic contact cleaner. Cleaning
helps maintain good contact, which improves the transfer of
power from the batteries to the convertible notebook.
Storing batteries
Do not charge up a battery, then store it away. A stored
battery should be used every three to four weeks. Let the
battery fully discharge, then recharge to 40% if you plan to
store it again. If you store a battery for longer than three to
four weeks, the battery could fully discharge because the
battery circuitry itself consumes power.
If you have a spare lithium-ion battery, use one exclusively
and keep the other cool by placing it in the refrigerator. Make
sure that it is wrapped protectively and that nothing will be
dropped on it. Do not freeze the battery.
Do not use old batteries. Avoid purchasing spare lithium-ion
batteries and storing them for later use. Do not buy old stock,
even if it is sold at clearance prices. While it makes sense to
have 2 or 3 extra batteries, so that you always have a fresh
one charged up and ready to go, if you buy batteries and store
them for years, they may not work when you decide to use
them.
Consider removing the battery from your convertible
notebook when running on fixed power. However, remember
that when you have removed the battery from your
convertible notebook while using it with an electrical outlet,
the automatic battery charger no longer keeps the battery
charged.
Caution
When the battery is in the convertible notebook and the convertible
notebook is running on AC power, the battery constantly charges, even though
it has a full charge. This reduces the life of the battery. If the battery is fully
charged and you want to run on AC power, remove the battery.