Charging a battery

To prolong battery life and optimize the accuracy of battery charge displays:

WARNING! Do not charge the computer battery while you are onboard aircraft.

To charge a new battery:

Charge the battery while the computer is plugged into external power through the AC adapter.

When you charge the battery, charge it fully before turning on the computer.

To charge a used battery:

Allow the battery to discharge to about 10 percent of a full charge through normal use before charging it.

When you charge the battery, charge it fully before turning on the computer.

A battery inserted in the computer charges whenever the computer is plugged into external power through an AC adapter, an optional docking device or expansion product, or an optional power adapter.

A battery inserted in the computer charges whether the computer is off or in use, but the battery charges faster while the computer is off. Charging may be delayed if a battery is new, has been unused for 2 weeks or more, or is much warmer or cooler than room temperature.

The battery light displays charge status:

On: The battery is charging.

Blinking: The battery has reached a low-battery condition and is not charging.

Blinking rapidly: The battery has reached a critical low-battery condition and is not charging.

Off: The battery is fully charged or not installed.

Monitoring the charge of the battery

This section explains several ways to determine the amount of charge in a battery.

Obtaining accurate charge information

To increase the accuracy of all battery charge indicators:

Allow a battery to discharge to about 10 percent of a full charge through normal use before charging it.

When you charge a battery, charge it fully before turning on the computer.

If a battery has been unused for one month or more, calibrate the battery instead of simply charging it.

Displaying charge information on the screen

This section explains how to access and interpret battery charge indicators.

Charging a battery 19