MacBook - MacBook battery capacity down...

shahvikram123 · shahvikram123 #1 (**permalink**)

04-11-2008, 08:21 PM

I've had my Macbook for about 15-16 months and my battery capacity has dropped down to 5136 from 5200 (which is the original battery capacity).

According to coconut battery this is a 2% drop - so the current battery capacity for my macbook is now 98% and it doesn't go up.

So far I've calibrated the battery, but the battery capacity doesn't seem to go up to 100%.

Does anyone know how to make my battery capacity 100% again.

By the way, I've had about 370 load cycles;

could this be the reason as to why my battery capacity has decreased by 2%

bryphotoguy · bryphotoguy #2 (**permalink**)

04-11-2008, 08:24 PM

Batteries do loose their charging capacity. From what I've seen around here, you have a very strong battery.

ogacon · ogacon #3 (**permalink**)

04-11-2008, 08:24 PM

98% is very good... Batteries should never be FULLY full anyway (such as in charged to 100%, you don't want to overcook things either ya know?), as it makes it wear out more. I'd be very happy with 98% after 15 months, and 370 cycles.

shahvikram123 · shahvikram123 #4 (**permalink**)

04-11-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

98% is very good... Batteries should never be FULLY full anyway (such as in charged to 100%, you don't want to overcook things either ya know?), as it makes it wear out more. I'd be very happy with 98% after 15 months, and 370 cycles.

Quote:

Batteries do loose their charging capacity. From what I've seen around here, you have a very strong battery.

Ah ok, thanks for your help…

So when do you think I should think about getting a new battery. I mean after how much of a % drop. I ask because I'm going to be going University in a few months and I would need my Macbook 'on the go' a lot more. How long do you think the battery will last before its unusable...

ogacon · ogacon #5 (**permalink**)

04-11-2008, 08:43 PM

I'm not sure about that one, but I have a question for you. How do you use your battery? Have you kept it plugged in or constantly drain/recharge? I ask because I want my battery to last that long

bryphotoguy · bryphotoguy #6 (**permalink**)

04-11-2008, 08:44 PM

Wait and see how the battery stands up in a few months. It's not going to work great one day and completely go bad the next day.
You'll have plenty of time to order a new one when you will need a replacement.

shahvikram123 · shahvikram123 #7 (**permalink**)

04-11-2008, 08:47 PM

I just kept my Macbook plugged in most of the time, but I calibrate it about once or twice a month. Also about once a week or so I would use it just off the battery till it gets about 60-70% then charge it up again.

As far as I'm aware you should avoid draining the battery and then charging it back up too much and also avoid leaving it plugged in for too long (e.g. a few weeks).

Hope this helps!

dakineyj · dakineyj #8 (**permalink**)

04-11-2008, 10:19 PM

You should replace the battery when the time running on the battery diminishes to the point that is unacceptable to you. Now for me, I have 81% on 125 cycles. It is only lasting about 2 hours and Full charge capacity (mAh): 4543

dr_doof · dr_doof #9 (**permalink**)

04-12-2008, 05:12 AM

i was told it's best if you occasionally let your battery drain fully- about once per month. it lets the lithium ion batteries 'remember' their full capacity. i'm not sure why mine said 5172 (after 37 cycles) and now 5228 after 41 cycles as full charge. :S

shahvikram123 · shahvikram123 #10 (**permalink**)

04-14-2008, 01:14 PM

My Macbook battery capacity has gone down even more!! its at 93% capacity now.... whens it going to stop!!!!!!

FrayAdjacent · FrayAdjacent #11 (**permalink**)

04-14-2008, 07:01 PM

with 370 cycles, your battery may be on the way out. Monitor it, and see if it continues to drop. If so, I'd plan on picking up a replacement soon.

When you do get a new one, remember to discharge it (to probably 20% or so) at least once a month, then fully charge it. Lithium batteries like to be exercised, and do not like to be left plugged in constantly.

jpfive · jpfive #12 (**permalink**)

04-15-2008, 03:04 PM

New owner and user, and ignorant of how to check the battery. What is the procedure for checking capacity, and recalibrating?

Jack

FrayAdjacent · FrayAdjacent #13 (**permalink**)

04-15-2008, 03:48 PM

JP, there is no recalibration process, afaik. (the meter in the task bar will sometimes read less than 100% when it is fully charged. Running it down a little and charging it back up usually resolves)

There's a widget called iStat that can show you stats on the battery.

dakineyj · dakineyj #14 (**permalink**)

04-15-2008, 03:54 PM

Apple Menu > About This Mac > More Info... > Select "Power" > Battery Info

FrayAdjacent · FrayAdjacent #15 (**permalink**)

04-15-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakineyj

Apple Menu > About This Mac > More Info... > Select "Power" > Battery Info

Yeah... or that.

bryphotoguy #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 02, 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3,978 Mac Specs: Quad 2.8GHz Mac Pro, Edge iPhone	04-11-2008, 08:24 PM Batteries do loose their charging capacity. From what I've seen around here, you have a very strong battery. January 2008 Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

ogacon #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 16, 2008 Location: Twin Cities (Suburbs) Minnesota Posts: 645 Mac Specs:  15" 2.4 MBP  iPod Classic 80 GB, Silver	04-11-2008, 08:43 PM I'm not sure about that one, but I have a question for you. How do you use your battery? Have you kept it plugged in or constantly drain/recharge? I ask because I want my battery to last that long Relay For Life Support me in Relay For Life! Run by American Cancer Society. Cancer research. What sound does your Rooster make?
	QUOTE Thanks

bryphotoguy #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 02, 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3,978 Mac Specs: Quad 2.8GHz Mac Pro, Edge iPhone	04-11-2008, 08:44 PM Wait and see how the battery stands up in a few months. It's not going to work great one day and completely go bad the next day. You'll have plenty of time to order a new one when you will need a replacement. January 2008 Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

dr_doof #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 19, 2008 Location: sydney, australia Posts: 75 Mac Specs: 2.4GHZ Macbook (black), OSX Leopard 10.5.5, 1GB Shuffle,4GB Nano,2GB nano 2nd generation	04-12-2008, 05:12 AM i was told it's best if you occasionally let your battery drain fully- about once per month. it lets the lithium ion batteries 'remember' their full capacity. i'm not sure why mine said 5172 (after 37 cycles) and now 5228 after 41 cycles as full charge. :S Chat Potatoes
	QUOTE Thanks

shahvikram123 #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 16, 2006 Location: UK, London Posts: 632 Mac Specs: Macbook: 2GHZ Intel C2D, 2 Gig Ram, 80 GB HD. Mac Mini: Intel C2D 2GHZ, 2 gig ram, 120gb HD	04-14-2008, 01:14 PM My Macbook battery capacity has gone down even more!! its at 93% capacity now.... whens it going to stop!!!!!! Vikram Shah
	QUOTE Thanks

MacBook - MacBook battery capacity down...

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

shahvikram123 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 16, 2006 Location: UK, London Posts: 632 Mac Specs: Macbook: 2GHZ Intel C2D, 2 Gig Ram, 80 GB HD. Mac Mini: Intel C2D 2GHZ, 2 gig ram, 120gb HD	04-11-2008, 08:21 PM I've had my Macbook for about 15-16 months and my battery capacity has dropped down to 5136 from 5200 (which is the original battery capacity). According to coconut battery this is a 2% drop - so the current battery capacity for my macbook is now 98% and it doesn't go up. So far I've calibrated the battery, but the battery capacity doesn't seem to go up to 100%. Does anyone know how to make my battery capacity 100% again. By the way, I've had about 370 load cycles; could this be the reason as to why my battery capacity has decreased by 2%
	QUOTE Thanks

shahvikram123 #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 16, 2006 Location: UK, London Posts: 632 Mac Specs: Macbook: 2GHZ Intel C2D, 2 Gig Ram, 80 GB HD. Mac Mini: Intel C2D 2GHZ, 2 gig ram, 120gb HD	04-11-2008, 08:47 PM I just kept my Macbook plugged in most of the time, but I calibrate it about once or twice a month. Also about once a week or so I would use it just off the battery till it gets about 60-70% then charge it up again. As far as I'm aware you should avoid draining the battery and then charging it back up too much and also avoid leaving it plugged in for too long (e.g. a few weeks). Hope this helps!
	QUOTE Thanks

dakineyj #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 24, 2007 Location: Kailua Kona, HI Posts: 878 Mac Specs: MBP 15", 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, OS X 10.8.2, iPad 1, 80gb iPod, ATV 1, iPhone 5	04-11-2008, 10:19 PM You should replace the battery when the time running on the battery diminishes to the point that is unacceptable to you. Now for me, I have 81% on 125 cycles. It is only lasting about 2 hours and Full charge capacity (mAh): 4543
	QUOTE Thanks

FrayAdjacent #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 02, 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 49 Mac Specs: MacBook 2.2GHz	04-14-2008, 07:01 PM with 370 cycles, your battery may be on the way out. Monitor it, and see if it continues to drop. If so, I'd plan on picking up a replacement soon. When you do get a new one, remember to discharge it (to probably 20% or so) at least once a month, then fully charge it. Lithium batteries like to be exercised, and do not like to be left plugged in constantly. The very existence of flamethrowers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, "You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I don't want to have to walk over there to do it."
	QUOTE Thanks

jpfive #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 30, 2008 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 5 Mac Specs: MBP 2.2Ghz	04-15-2008, 03:04 PM New owner and user, and ignorant of how to check the battery. What is the procedure for checking capacity, and recalibrating? Jack Jack
	QUOTE Thanks

FrayAdjacent #13 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 02, 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 49 Mac Specs: MacBook 2.2GHz	04-15-2008, 03:48 PM JP, there is no recalibration process, afaik. (the meter in the task bar will sometimes read less than 100% when it is fully charged. Running it down a little and charging it back up usually resolves) There's a widget called iStat that can show you stats on the battery. The very existence of flamethrowers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, "You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I don't want to have to walk over there to do it."
	QUOTE Thanks

dakineyj #14 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 24, 2007 Location: Kailua Kona, HI Posts: 878 Mac Specs: MBP 15", 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, OS X 10.8.2, iPad 1, 80gb iPod, ATV 1, iPhone 5	04-15-2008, 03:54 PM Apple Menu > About This Mac > More Info... > Select "Power" > Battery Info
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
MacBook impressions - trip to store	kaidomac	Schweb's Lounge	24	10-14-2007 01:45 PM
Macbook - Backup Battery	Phoenix Scanner	Apple Notebooks	2	08-06-2007 03:53 PM
MacBook Dead Battery?	diesel828	Apple Notebooks	3	04-15-2007 04:38 AM
Macbook battery	fragged3d	Switcher Hangout	1	03-07-2007 06:24 PM
Macbook Battery Crap?	maz94protege	Apple Notebooks	3	12-25-2006 07:03 PM