Dell has not tested using an Energizer XP18000 or any other external power packs with Alienware M17X R3 so I would not be able to provide accurate information about the same. However, you may try turning off the AlienFX lighting system which might help. You may also use the below link to see tips on increasing battery performance:
I have way more than the recommended stuff shut off or configured to minimize power usage. Still not getting the battery life I want/need out of the beast. :-) My concern is mainly the 19V instead of 19.5. I am seeing from other sources that 0.5V input difference won't matter, and also that the battery is just 11.1V. So now it seems to be just down to the adapter and if one of them will work on this specific laptop.
Apologies for the information I provided in my previous response. Dell recommends usage of 3.5A power on its systems. The 12.5A that you are talking is way above the limit so it may fry the motherboard. However, the Voltage that you are talking about is fine.
You will not be able to power that system with that adapter -- it's 68W, which is about half what the system needs. You might be able to squeak by with a 90W adapter, but even that's iffy. You really need an adapter that supplies at least the same wattage as the original.
The battery/AC operation is either/or - either it runs on battery or AC - it can't run on both at the same time.
You may be able to use the external power pack to charge the battery with the system off - check with the manufacturer to see if that's supported (Dell/Alienware systems use a third wire connection that is required in order to charge the battery - many aftermarket power adapters don't provide the required connection to charge the battery). If the adapter isn't recognized, the battery won't charge.
Hmm. Won't the difference just be made up automatically by draining the internal battery concurrently with external power supply drain?
Also, when I am on battery with this laptop I have it SERIOUSLY locked down power-wise: CPU limited to 5% max, 30% screen brightness, no WIFI or other networking, most windows services that can be are disabled, etc. Plus I have 2 SSDs instead of 2 rotating disks.
If you still say it is not doable with all that, how about just using it to recharge the internal battery with the unit OFF but plugged into the external power pack?
Do you know if there is a way to bypass the recognition of a Dell approved adapter? I purchased a power bank that is recommended and supported for Dell laptops and I am able to adjust the voltage to the correct settings per my laptop.
I tried adjusting the adapter checks in the BIOS settings, but that didn't work.
DELL-Kiran K
4 Operator
•
2K Posts
0
July 11th, 2013 20:00
Hi Kevin,
Dell has not tested using an Energizer XP18000 or any other external power packs with Alienware M17X R3 so I would not be able to provide accurate information about the same. However, you may try turning off the AlienFX lighting system which might help. You may also use the below link to see tips on increasing battery performance:
http://dell.to/1awoo41
TheSQLGuru
6 Posts
0
July 14th, 2013 13:00
I have way more than the recommended stuff shut off or configured to minimize power usage. Still not getting the battery life I want/need out of the beast. :-) My concern is mainly the 19V instead of 19.5. I am seeing from other sources that 0.5V input difference won't matter, and also that the battery is just 11.1V. So now it seems to be just down to the adapter and if one of them will work on this specific laptop.
DELL-Kiran K
4 Operator
•
2K Posts
0
July 16th, 2013 01:00
Hi Kevin,
Apologies for the information I provided in my previous response. Dell recommends usage of 3.5A power on its systems. The 12.5A that you are talking is way above the limit so it may fry the motherboard. However, the Voltage that you are talking about is fine.
TheSQLGuru
6 Posts
0
July 16th, 2013 05:00
The 12.5A is for the AC Input side (120V), sorry for the confusion. It is the charger that came with the Alienware m17xR3.
DELL-Kiran K
4 Operator
•
2K Posts
0
July 16th, 2013 23:00
Hi Kevin,
Do let me know the output amps and voltage of the power source you are talking about. I can then let you know if it will be compatible.
TheSQLGuru
6 Posts
0
July 17th, 2013 10:00
It is the Energizer XPS18000. 19V, 3500mA output.
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
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July 17th, 2013 11:00
You will not be able to power that system with that adapter -- it's 68W, which is about half what the system needs. You might be able to squeak by with a 90W adapter, but even that's iffy. You really need an adapter that supplies at least the same wattage as the original.
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
July 17th, 2013 12:00
The battery/AC operation is either/or - either it runs on battery or AC - it can't run on both at the same time.
You may be able to use the external power pack to charge the battery with the system off - check with the manufacturer to see if that's supported (Dell/Alienware systems use a third wire connection that is required in order to charge the battery - many aftermarket power adapters don't provide the required connection to charge the battery). If the adapter isn't recognized, the battery won't charge.
TheSQLGuru
6 Posts
0
July 17th, 2013 12:00
Hmm. Won't the difference just be made up automatically by draining the internal battery concurrently with external power supply drain?
Also, when I am on battery with this laptop I have it SERIOUSLY locked down power-wise: CPU limited to 5% max, 30% screen brightness, no WIFI or other networking, most windows services that can be are disabled, etc. Plus I have 2 SSDs instead of 2 rotating disks.
If you still say it is not doable with all that, how about just using it to recharge the internal battery with the unit OFF but plugged into the external power pack?
acf3690
1 Message
0
September 5th, 2015 09:00
Do you know if there is a way to bypass the recognition of a Dell approved adapter? I purchased a power bank that is recommended and supported for Dell laptops and I am able to adjust the voltage to the correct settings per my laptop.
I tried adjusting the adapter checks in the BIOS settings, but that didn't work.