Archive for the ‘laptop batteries’ Category
Specialist suppliers of Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) Batteries for laptop computers have been engaged for several years in the repacking of used laptop batteries. Sadly, this previously effective and economic solution to depleted battery packs appears to be coming to an end.
The reasons for this are not complex, but essentially boil down to the fact that generic batteries of excellent quality and competitive pricing are now available on the market. Added to this attractive spin on new batteries is the fact that repacking a battery with 9 or 12 cells can be more expensive than its new generic counterpart as well as having a risk factor involved as far as success rate is concerned.
Battery repacking for the real aficionado’s of the industry has been very successful, but there is certainly a small failure rate due mostly to circuit board failure. Make no mistake, repacking is not for chancers. When one considers the transport cost of sending a depleted battery back and forth from client to agent, the financial risk factor for the agent becomes high when there is a problem not associated with the effectiveness of the repair. Due to the restraints imposed by progressively more competitive battery pricing, margin for repackers are coming under siege.
The tendency amongst the most ethical and competent repackers is to offer a no-argument money back warranty. In most cases this is honoured in both letter and spirit, but shrinking margins raise the real risk to repackers of working at a loss.
This is why many are now re-channeling resources into other electronic disciplines and concentrating on sales of new batteries rather than repacking of old batteries. Whilst factory replacemets were unconscionably high, repacking was the logical as well as practical route to follow for replacement laptop batteries, but this is changing fast.
The changing marketplace certainly tacitly endorses that consumers look at new rather than repacked replacement products, but this should not preclude them from checking prices in their area. When batteries contain 6 or even 8 cells, it may make economic sense to have a repack done. The hidden benefit is that the cells used in repacking are often made to a higher technological standard with a better performance rating than new batteries which may have a relatively long shelf life and consist of older technology based cells.
As you can see, there is no short answer; but bear the following in mind when buying a replacement or a repacked battery:
- Check your computers power saving options software and that the configuration is for portable computers.
- Try charging fully and removing the charger until power is at zero and repeat several times to condition your existing battery.
- Spending money on batteries for Older computers may not be worth while.
- Check if you have a 6 or 8 cell battery – it may be a viable repack. Don’t even bother with 9 or 12 cell units.
- If you are far enough away from your repack source to warrant transporting your old battery by post or courier, don’t even bother thinking about repacking it.
- Buy new batteries from people who are actively engaged in the marketplace. Their stock should be of a more recent acquisition and maybe better technology.
