Do I have to remove the battery when using AC?

Question

I have just got my Inspiron 5150 and the battery is new. I will use the AC all the time whenever at home, but I don't konw if I should remove the battery from the computer when the machine is powered by AC. Is it necessary to do so each time? I am worrying if I leave the battery if will be charged from time to time, the total cycle of charging life will be reached soon. Is it a better idea that I store the battery for use when going outside?

Thanks!

RedsB3 · Answer

Unless the newer models have changed, you do not have to have the battery in when on AC.  I never have mine in but I have an 8200.  There are two schools of thought on this.  One, it is cheap insurance, a sort of mini apc power device should your ac cut out on you while using notebook, the battery would immediately kick in and power your notebook.  Two is, from personal experience, you will definitely shorten the battery life if you keep it in the notebook all the time.  Li-on batteries will achieve maximum life if used until almost drained and then recharged.  They have no memory but will only last 300-500 cycles, (discharge-charge) or a little over a year if used constantly.  They are best stored with about 40-50% charge, in a cool place (yes, I keep mine in the fridge).  If left at room temperature they can discharge themselves losing about 15-20% charge in a months time.  The choice is yours.

opeongo · Answer

I agree with RedsB3.

Whenever I'm using AC power, my battery is disconnected.

Hope you are using a surge protector with a high joule rating.

Inspiron 5150
Mobile Intel Pentium 4 @ 3.06GHz NonHT
15" Samsung UXGA (1600x1200)
60 GB Hitachi IC25N060ATMR04 Travelstar HDD @ 4200RPM
256 MB DDR333 PC2700 Samsung M470L3224DT0-CB3 (CL-tRCD-tRP = 2.5-3-3)
DVD ROM
64 MB NVidia GeForce FX Go5200
BIOS version A25
Windows XP Professional SP1

BSMABME · Answer

Thanks for the nice suggestions! Now I have stored my battery and am using the AC all the time. I have just heard from a friend that he never took out the battery, so his battery can only last about fifteen minutes for a full charge, although he has used it for two years.

rcx21000 · Answer

If I leave the battrey in whil using AC, how many cycles will it 'use up' per day? I guess mabye one every 24 hours or something? That means that the battrey should last almost 2 years if you never turn off the laptop, and always use AC?

opeongo · Answer

I would still remove the battery when using AC; over a long period of time, the heat generated by your laptop

may shorten the lifespan of your battery.

Inspiron 5150
Mobile Intel Pentium 4 @ 3.06GHz NonHT
15" Samsung UXGA (1600x1200)
60 GB Hitachi IC25N060ATMR04 Travelstar HDD @ 4200RPM
256 MB DDR333 PC2700 Samsung M470L3224DT0-CB3 (CL-tRCD-tRP = 2.5-3-3)
DVD ROM
64 MB NVidia GeForce FX Go5200
BIOS version A25
Windows XP Professional SP1

gemini111 · Answer

My PC is four yr old, came in with one primary batt and a spare secondary. I NEVER removed the batt it came with and always use AC  when at home. Very seldom, mobile, I have two batts in (with CD-RAM removed) , and re-charge both batts  ASAP, then remove fully charged second batt to re-install CD-RAM. Both four yr. old batts are still 100% charged and still work at nearly 100% of original capacity (three +hrs. a pop).  So, unless my case is unique, I think if you got started with healthy batts and healthy PC functions, all these discussions (on to remove or not, to refrigerate(gosh!!!) or GOD-forbid, to freeze, etc.) are probably moot. (or as Joey Tribiani would say, MOO).  In my case, both -the one batt always in, and the other batt almost always out- have maintained nearly original capacity in four yrs. It is more important to make sure unit is embellished with power surge protector when kept plugged in most  times.

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Do I have to remove the battery when using AC?

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