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November 2nd, 2022 08:00
Dell Power Manager - Charging Mode "ALWAYS AC"
XPS 15 9520
Anybody know what Charging Mode "ALWAYS AC" actually does? Doesn't seem to be documented anywhere (though happy to be corrected on this). The pop-up help says only, "For users who primarily operate their system while plugged into an external power source."
I had a previous (non-Dell) laptop that in this mode would limit charging to 80% to preserve battery life and I would expect the Dell to do something similar, but there is no indication that it is doing so. Displayed charge is 100% and as far as I can see it hasn't recalibrated the scale so 100% = 80%. Again, happy to be told otherwise. So what is it doing? Does it even work?
shortshrift99
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November 2nd, 2022 09:00
Much appreciated. The article should answer the question. But...
Primarily AC Use - Extends battery life by lowering the charge threshold, so that the battery never charges to 100 percent capacity. Recommended for users who primarily operate the computer while plugged into an external power source.
Except the indicated charge does go up to 100% in this mode. (FWIW I'm making this setting from the Power Manager section of the My Dell app rather than the Dell Power Manager app, but they are changing the same BIOS settings.)
Do others see the charge capped? It's hard to be sure this setting is working at all.
d5123101
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457 Posts
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November 2nd, 2022 09:00
Does this article answer your question? Please check if the article is applicable to your version of Dell Power Manager (as you did not list it in your OP). (https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000177768/guide-to-dell-power-manager) Thanks
d5123101
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November 4th, 2022 01:00
The BIOS should show the absolute charge of the battery, maybe Dell power manager is only capping in software through Windows? I don't personally use the application much
jnk1
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October 31st, 2025 21:45
On "Always AC" mine charges to 100%, too. Does this setting work, or is it better to set it to custom, charging between 50-80%?