Battery longevity tips

There is also a good article to read.

How to prolong lithium-based batteries

Rick

Thanks for the articles.  I think many battery complaints can be attributed to less than optimal usage. 

My original inspiron 6400 battery died and I've been reading customer feedback from various reseller sites.  I wish I could find out the manufacturing date prior to my battery purchase.  I purchased a 9 cell 80WHR 7200mAh OEM equivalent for $54 (after 8% bing cashback) including free shipping from

http://www.level8technology.com

they also carry a 9 cell 85WHR 7800mAh OEM for $15 more.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.17086 

has a 9 cell 7200mAh for the E1705 for $55 shipped

I've come across many sites that sell the battery used for the  e1705 as compatible also for the 6400 & 1505.  They are the same size and voltage so they probably work, but also probably cause problems.

Well I received the 9 cell 80WHR 7200mAh battery for my 6400 which I ordered last week from level 8 for $54 and it seems to be working fine so far.

I also see that dealextreme just got in a 6400 battery (although 4400mAh ) for $44.87 (also shipping included)

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25210

How do I adjust the brightness on my Studio 1537 laptoop?  Reducing the brightness is supposed to prolong battery life.  I cannot find a control for this.

bruiser15,

To turn the brightness of the screen, press Fn and arrow down.

Rick

I just wanted to ask about the battery from Level 8. My battery finally died on my 1501 and am in need of a replacement. On my Dell battery there is a “rubber foot” on it. Does the aftermarket battery have the same? I just want to make sure it remains flat and sturdy on my desk. I’m guessing one cell is bad (9 cell battery) because it goes from 100% to 85% or so slowly then drops quickly to 2% in a matter of seconds.

thanks..

Not sure an aftermarket part will have the same rubber foot, but you can use a screwdriver or Exacto knife to remove the foot off the old battery and super glue it to the new one if needed. That's about the best suggestion I could give.

Yes my level 8 battery did come with the rubber foot.

Here's another source - a 9 cell for the 6400 - $54 shipped

http://cgi.ebay.com/Replace-Battery-For-DELL-Inspiron-E1505-GD761-7200mah_W0QQitemZ260446842305QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca3d76dc1&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

and a 9 cell for the 1705 for $48 shipped (made in china)

http://www.buyincoins.com/replace-battery-for-dell-inspiron-6000-e1705-9200-9300-9400-product-356.html

Their ebay store seems to have a more recent and extensive inventory than their website at the moment.

Given the longevity complaints in the past with 'genuine' dell batteries, why pay more?

DELL-Bill B & gergev thanks for the replies and the information.

Blair

This is all great information, my question is, at what point will Dell replace the battery?  I do all the right things with the battery (right out of the box it would last 1 hour, 30 min off charge) and it only gets lower.  If it gets to the point where it's 5 minutes off charge it dies, then will Dell consider a replacement (I'm under warranty). 

Thanks

As long as your battery is less than 1 year old, and is not meeting expected charge times, we will replace it under warranty at no cost. I do not know what system you are using, and what activities you are doing when you get 1.5 hrs, but if it's not out of the ordinary, I'd say it sounds like you need a new battery.

Is it true that after market batteries will not report their status to the PC, so that you never know the charge status?

No.

Power meter reports my aftermarket battery as a "Sony" and also the charging status/percentage.

There are many freeware utilities that can collect more details from it.

Thank you for that tip. I have been looking for a way to turn down the brightness on my Studio XPS 1640. There must be a comrehensive manual on the DELL website for this laptop. I am still getting used to this new 'TOY' ........

Apek