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CONDITIONING AND CALIBRATION
Relationship of Conditioning and Calibration
Battery conditioning and calibration are two separate operations that
are necessary for different reasons. Both require the battery to be
charged, then discharged to a level below the PowerBook's normal
shut off point. When a battery is calibrated it is also automatically
conditioned. If the user calibrates a battery as often as it should be
conditioned, a separate conditioning sequence is unnecessary. In our
opinion batteries should be calibrated and conditioned once or twice a
month.
Battery Conditioning In the PowerBook
In battery mode, the PowerBook may operate from one or two batter-
ies. If the PowerBook uses a single battery, it runs until the battery is
discharged to 8.5 volts. At this point the PowerBook shuts itself OFF.
This method of conditioning may reduce the chances of acquiring a
serious loss of capacity if it is performed several times a month. The
8.5 volt level, however, is 0.5 volts higher than the recommended
conditioning voltage. In some cases, the memory effect loss may not
be fully corrected by discharging to this level.
If two batteries are installed and certain conditions are met (see Battery
Calibration In the PowerBook - next page), the battery in the right side
may be calibrated. When a battery is calibrated it is also discharged to
7.8 volts. This level of discharge provides better memory effect correc-
tion, and prevention, than the 8.5 volt level used in a one battery
system.
Note - See Appendix II and III for additional information on Conditioning
and Calibration.