34 Using the Battery
Using the Battery
Your computer uses a smart rechargeable Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack for
power when the AC adapter is not attached to an electrical outlet. The smart battery
gives a accurate measurement of the current battery capacity which helps extend
operating time by enabling effective power management in operating systems that
take advantage of the accurate information supplied by the battery.
Charging the Battery
Your computer’s battery starts charging automatically when you connect the
power to the computer and to an electrical outlet. If the computer is off, the battery
charges faster than if the computer’s power is on.
Approximate charging times for the Li-Ion battery are
•
3 hours with the computer off.
•
5 hours with the computer on.
While the battery is charging normally, the battery charge light on the computer is
amber (See ”System Status Lights” on page 18 for the location of the battery
charge light). When the battery is fully charged, the light changes to green.
When you use a new battery pack for the first time or use a battery after a long
period of storage, the initial battery life is shorter than normal. Normal battery life
resumes after a few discharge-recharge cycles.
Follow these rules for charging your battery:
•
A battery normally discharges power when not used for long periods of time.
Be sure to recharge the battery every two months when it is not in use.
•
Make it a practice to discharge your battery fully before recharging the
battery. This can help extend the life of the battery.
•
Do not attempt to charge the battery in temperatures of under
41
o
F (5
o
C) or
over 95
o
F (35
o
C
.)
All batteries eventually wear out and lose the ability to hold a
charge. You may need to replace your battery pack after a
year of average usage.
