[dgk]

I bought a new battery for my new used HP ze5185. Wow, what a heavy laptop (7 pounds!). Anyway, being Li-Ion, which apparently are good for three years from date of manufacture regardless of usage, is there any way to tell the birthdate of a battery? It's an HP f4809a/f4812a if that means anything. Has a serial number but no date anywhere.

[ozzlo]

I say as long as the battery life is as good as what it's rated to be with that laptop then you should not worry much... my battery has a "power remaining button" which if i press will show me using some led's how much charge is left on the battery... but if I hold the button down then It will give me the % wear on the battery.... if you have a tester button maybe you could try this

[Flamingtaco]

Originally Posted by dgk

I bought a new battery for my new used HP ze5185. Wow, what a heavy laptop (7 pounds!). Anyway, being Li-Ion, which apparently are good for three years from date of manufacture regardless of usage, is there any way to tell the birthdate of a battery? It's an HP f4809a/f4812a if that means anything. Has a serial number but no date anywhere.

Close. Li-on batteries have a shelf-life of three years if left on the shelf at room temperature. Reason for this is that as they sit, deposits build up in them that increase resistance. Everytime you charge or discharge, these deposits are removed. Unfortunately, heat from charge'discharging also kills the batteries.

Li-ons, with proper maintenance and reasonable use will last beyond 3 years. I've got a few here going on 5 years that are at 70% capacity.

Discharge below 50% and storing at about 35ºF dramatically increases their shelf life. I've been told about 300% increase in life. So, if you ever leave your Li-on's for an extended period, put them in the fridge!

Most mfg's are fairly consientious about battery age. The battery should not be more than a few months old. They are under pressure from the Gov't to NOT over stock, so that user get the max life out of batteries. It's an environmental concern... (The shorter your batteries last, the more you have to buy...).

If you find the MFG of the battery, they can tell you it's age.