Charging a battery

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

WARNING! Do not charge the computer battery on board aircraft.

If you are charging 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.

If you are charging an in-use battery:

When you charge the battery, charge it until the battery charge light is turned off.

NOTE If the computer is on while the battery is charging, the power meter may show 100 percent charge before the battery is fully charged.

Allow the battery to discharge below 5 percent of a full charge through normal use before charging it.

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

Off: The battery is fully charged or not installed.

Monitoring the charge of a battery

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

Obtaining accurate charge information

To increase the accuracy of all battery charge indicators:

When you charge a battery, charge it until the battery charge light is turned off.

NOTE If the computer is on while the battery is charging, the power meter may show 100 percent charge before the battery is fully charged.

Allow the battery to discharge to below 5 percent of a full charge through normal use before charging it.

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

22 Chapter 7 Batteries