Pismo: Li-batteries don't last long anymore

[Marc Heusser]

My one Pismo PB's two Li-batteries last only for a short time, ie some
15 minutes.
Is this the end of life for the two, or can I do something about it?
This Pismo also looses time after a while when not connected to mains
power, if that matters (I suspect dead internal PRAM battery).

Thanks for any help, as Li-batteries are rather expensive.
(If you suspect them dead, a good source at decent prices would be
welcome.)

Marc

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[matt neuburg]

In <marc.heusser-48DA7C.04263214072003@news.bluewin.ch> Marc Heusser
wrote:

> My one Pismo PB's two Li-batteries last only for a short time, ie some
> 15 minutes.

Recent discussions on MacFixit suggest resetting nvram in open firmware
might help. m.

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[John Johnson]

In article <marc.heusser-48DA7C.04263214072003@news.bluewin.ch>,
Marc Heusser <marc.heusser@CHEERSheusser.comMERCIALSPAMMERS.inv alid>
wrote:

> My one Pismo PB's two Li-batteries last only for a short time, ie some
> 15 minutes.
> Is this the end of life for the two, or can I do something about it?
> This Pismo also looses time after a while when not connected to mains
> power, if that matters (I suspect dead internal PRAM battery).

How old are the batteries? What sort of use have they had? LI-chemistry
batteries are typically rated for 500-1000 charge-discharge cycles.
Shelf-life for unused batteries is typically around 2 years. If your
batteries are older than that, or have been used since you have bought
your machine, they are almost certainly at EOL. Of course, if your
batteries are new, or if some other circumstance is suspicious,
something might be up. Isthere something suspicious about this capacity
loss?

My experience was that my old battery gradually lost capacity until I
was getting about 1 hour of working time. I haven't pushed that battery
much, so don't know how quickly the capacity will fall off from here.

>
> Thanks for any help, as Li-batteries are rather expensive.
> (If you suspect them dead, a good source at decent prices would be
> welcome.)
>

I recently purchased a new battery for my Pismo from CDW.com. Fast, good
service, low price.

> Marc

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johajohn AT indianahoosiers DOT edu

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[Simon Slavin]

In article <read_the_sig-54E72D.09070314072003@news.indiana.edu>,
John Johnson <read_the_sig@the_bottom.edu> wrote:

>My experience was that my old battery gradually lost capacity until I
>was getting about 1 hour of working time.

I've got one right here which has about 30 minutes. I'd get a new
one but I'm going to replace the entire Pismo as soon as a new 15"
PowerBook comes out.

Yes, the LI batteries have a limit of 2000-ish discharges or
2.5-ish years, whichever comes first. After that their
capacity goes downhill very quickly.