Replacement Laptop Batteries

Replacement laptop batteries, like OEM laptop batteries, work the same way that any other rechargeable battery work. You may currently use rechargeable batteries in your digital camera, CD players, radios or even your power tools. The big difference is that replacement laptop batteries come in a large variety of shapes and sizes, have specific and unique connectors between the battery and the computer and employ electronic safety and charging circuits. The purpose of this electronic circuit is to manage the power flow into the battery while it is charging and the discharge of power from the replacement laptop batteries while they discharge. These circuits may be found in other electronic devices, but they are not contained within the battery or battery housing itself. 

Located within the housing of the replacement laptop batteries are the battery cells. Each battery cell is usually one and a half volts each, and the total voltage of the replacement laptop battery is a sum of the voltage of the individual cells that are connected in series. The voltage of the battery pack is the critical specification in considering a replacement laptop battery. The milli-amp hours are indicative of the operating time that a given battery will provide and are not a critical consideration, but replacement laptop batteries with larger milli-amp hour ratings will operate a laptop computer for a longer period of time that a battery pack with a lower milli-amp rating.

The electronic board regulates the laptop battery charging and discharging power, and is unique to replacement laptop batteries. This electronic circuit regulates the charge in to and out of each of the internal cells in the replacement laptop battery pack and ensures that the individual cells each have an equal charge at all times. This results in prolonging the battery life and ensures that overcharging of the cells does not occur.

On a more basic level of battery function, the plates of each cell react with the electrolyte that results in the flow of electrons (electricity) from the negative to positive terminal in the battery. The electrolyte is generally comprised of a chemical compound and is usually an acid. The battery is discharged when the electrolyte loses its acidity. The process of charging a replacement laptop battery restores the charged ions and the electrolyte regains its acidity. This process is true for all rechargeable batteries.

The charging and discharging process of replacement laptop batteries is controlled by hardware circuits built into the laptop computer. This circuitry provides for the proper operation of the individual battery cells in the replacement laptop battery pack. It works in conjunction with your laptop's power management software and provides a graphical indicator of the battery's power level.  This indicator is usually displayed in the system tray of most Windows laptop computers.

Although laptop batteries are rechargeable, they do have a limited operating life. Proper battery care attention to the charging and discharging cycles of replacement laptop batteries will result in maximizing the useful life of the battery. A laptop battery will normally last anywhere from 500 to 750 cycles, and some newer batteries are being formulated with increased cycling abilities. Once the battery has been depleted it will need to be replaced with another replacement laptop battery. Although the number of charge cycles of the battery will depend on the usage of the laptop, it is a good idea to fully discharge your laptop computer before you recharge the battery to minimize the charge cycles performed on the battery pack.