15 R3, battery swollen

Question

Last night battery inside my almost $2k Alienware 15 r3 became swollen. Everything was fine at 22:00 (CET) and awful at 7:00 (CET) today. How did I understood that? My laptop looked like this:

Spoiler

And battery looks not better.

Spoiler

I should mention, that I am a strange Alienware user - I almost do not play games on it. Mostly working and watching movies. So laptop as well as battery is not in overheating conditions ever. Charger is original.

What should I do?
- Laptop was bought in the middle of December 2017 in USA and then transfered to Ukraine (with warranty transfer). 1 year and 3 monthes ago. So it is already 3 monthes after warranty finished. Currently it is in Slovenia with me.
- I cannot contact International support even to ask where can I buy new genuine battery. Because international webpage sends me to ukrainian one which tells "Все варианты контактов могут быть недоступны по мере истечения срока действия гарантии на продукт." (all kinds of contacts can be unavailiable after warranty finished). Thanks, even were not able to translate text to ukrainian and posted it in russian.
- I cannot contact Dell support in Slovenia, where I currently live, for the same reason.

So. How to contact Dell to ask what should I do and where to get new original 99 Wh battery for my Alienware 15 r3 in Slovenia or any other EU country? Is it normal, that battery in the laptop for $2k is so "good"?

P.S. Chassis didn't returned back to normal state after removing battery, so now I will have a bit bended (but very unique) laptop for the whole its life.

crimsom · Accepted Answer

Hi @vaskivskyiye welcome to this user to user discussion form. This is not Dell Support.

Handling swollen Lithium-ion batteries. Battery chemistry continues regardless of storage or installed in laptop. Some batteries swell, leak, burst, etc. and become an immediate safety hazard to people and destroy laptops. They should be safely removed using PPE and moved to an external site for safe disposal.

Dell Laptop Battery - Frequently Asked Questions. For the typical user, noticeable reduction in run time generally will be observed after 18 to 24 months. For a power user, reduction in run time generally may be experienced within 18 months. Dell recommends buying a new laptop battery when the run time does not meet your needs.

Laptop with no battery, is designed to function as a Desktop. This will allow time to search for a replacement battery or continue to use it as a Desktop.

The Dell ac adapter will not charge a replacement battery that is unsuitable. Dell do not supply replacement batteries anymore. Get a genuine OEM replacement battery that is guaranteed for one year [Example]. Search on the internet for Dell battery part number 9NJM1 (99Wh) or 44T2R (68Wh).

vaskivskyiye · Answer

The most interesting thing is that it happened night just after BIOS update. I don't like such coincidents...

Eimy_B · Answer

Hi @vaskivskyiye, We will advise you to contact your local support at the numbers here. Or buy the battery from a third party online.

Rasher-Bacon · Answer

The same happened to me and I cannot find anywhere on the dell.com website where I can order a new battery

Eimy_B · Answer

Hi @vaskivskyiye   There is an option in the our website to chat with an agent, they can guide you through the process. Or you can call sales at 866 287 6727 opt#3 for USA/CANADA.

BroadSworder · Answer

Same thing to my laptop, swollen battery. Have just ordered a tower unit. Never again!

A51-06 · Answer

Amazon.com: SWEALEER 9NJM1 Laptop Battery Compatible with Dell Alienware 15 R3 R4 17 R4 R5 Series Notebook MG2YH 0MG2YH 01D82 HF250 0546FF 44T2R[11.4V 99Wh 9NJM1]: Computers & Accessories

These guys are great. I bought one for my 15 R1 since the Battery health was at 73% and I noticed it didn't have a SWEALEER brand on it but it was a Alienware one with a black sticker on it.

ZenicaPA · Answer

That sums up my experience. DELL is not in the business of selling batteries. Even the DELL battery lookup page located here will nearly never show a replacement battery, even when one is available. I tried for my M17R3 and Inspiron 2 in 1 notebooks. I eventually called and an agent on the phone was able to help me buy them. I charged them to 40%, removed them and placed them in the refrigerator. This will give them the best chance at long term storage but Crimsom is right, it is degrading even now. I just had to gamble that when the battery in the computer fails, I may not be able to get one from DELL and the one in my refrigerator is in better condition.

OP, if you need a stateside contact to help you get the battery you need, I'm willing to help. I've ordered things for friends in the UK and Germany that needed something I could get that they couldn't. I bought it and shipped it to them. It was more costly but sometimes, it's either that or going without.

Another option is to repair the battery. Think about it, it's just cells connected in series and then in parallel.

Replace the cells and it will likely work again. I did this once years ago with an HP battery. There is even a web site that offers this service, though not in Eastern Europe. I'm sure you could find a local electronics wiz to do it.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @ZenicaPA  your forgot to mention that Lithium Ion Batteries should be placed and sealed in a dry, moisture free, airtight bag like a zip lock, so that the battery does not get wet in the freezer. If adept, Lithium Ion Batteries can be persuaded to charge again, if their polarity has reversed. However, Lithium Ion Batteries are not conventional batteries, are a severe flamable and corrosive safety hazard and everyone should not risk taking these pressurised batteries apart.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @vaskivskyiye  COVID-19 is making replacement battery availability problematic. When the new OEM replacement Battery arrives check its white label. (1) The Dell Part Number DP/N should be correct for your model. If different DP/N, the label belongs to a different battery. (2) The year/month beneath the square matrix should less than six months old. If more that six months, the battery is not new, might have been used and might not charge. If (1) and/or (2) checks fail, Reject battery immediately as being Not as advertised and Not fit for purpose.

ZenicaPA · Answer

True, I did vac seal the batteries but I didn't place them in the freezer. My research suggests the refrigerator is more suited for storage. I also placed a desiccant in the vacuum sealed bag for good measure. I have a battery conditioner but they can only do so much to buy time. When they go, they go. DELL should recognize the need and make them available for consumers. Or, take a more centralized approach and have just x amount of battery types making continued manufacturer more cost justified. I suppose this isn't really a consideration for them or else they would do things differently.  My HP was not a pressurized battery and neither are either of the DELL batteries I've placed into storage. I'm not aware of any laptop battery that is, as I'd imagine that would be an issue for airlines.

ejn63 · Answer

Lithium batteries should never be frozen - that's one sure way to damage them. And it's not really necessary to seal them at all, because they're internally sealed (inside a plastic envelope for the flat prismatic cells or a steel casing for the earlier ones, though the steel cased variety are vented against internal pressure buildup, whereas the more common prismatic batteries are not -- one reason they swell at end of life or upon cell failure).

Given that batteries in any device are consumables -- they do not last the life of the device, whether that's a computer, cell phone or an automobile -- they should be available for replacement. It's very true that manufacturers are going to great lengths to make the battery lifespan the life of the device, whether that's by making replacements unavailable or by making it difficult or impossible for an end user to replace the battery. Apple is the most egregious example - using proprietary screws and adhesives to secure the battery inside phones and notebook computers.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @ZenicaPA the topic of this thread is battery swollen, if it has not burst, it will be pressurised. Recall reports of airline cabin had a problem with a faulty smartphone battery that burst into flames and/or exploded.

The 15 R3 battery has an integral flying connector (see image), and this should not be shorted out by condensation or moisture when in cold storage. A dry, sealed bag is advocated.

We purchased an intelligent battery charger/conditioner late last year, that claims it can get batteries charging again. Not used it, but it has a screen and additional settings for this function. Amazing if true.

Alienware 15 R3 Battery DP-N 9NJM1 (99Wh).jpg

ZenicaPA · Answer

That is how the 17R3 battery was, with a wire attached that can't be removed. The M17R4 and Inspiron use a version where the cable is removable. I went into storing these with the expectation that it may be a fruitless endeavor as the batteries may not hold up any better in the refrigerator.  It's the best I can do to prolong the inevitable, given DELL is disinterested in supplying batteries and I have very little trust in the aftermarket marketplace.

Yellowcats8 · Answer

Swelling is not due to gaming or heat but rather if you are keeping your laptop plugged in all the time this is something that can happen with just about any battery, even phones. You will need to replace the battery as it is very dangerous to use the laptop with the battery in that condition. You can either send it into dell for them to replace the battery or you can buy the piece yourself online and install or have a company like microcenter replace the battery for you.

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15 R3, battery swollen

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