The problem is, the battery pack for this computer is Nickel Metal
Hydride, not NiCad. Is there any process for "zapping" a NiMH
battery like there is for NiCad? I've had good success with NiCad,
but don't know what to do with the NiMH packs that are showing up in
the "newer" old laptops.
You could also rebuild the battery pack with NiMH cells. Would it be
possible to use NiCad with the same voltage/current specs? The battery
charger might not work?
By the way,
http://www.toshiba.com has a plethora of information about
their old laptops. Some of the models, but not this one (T2200SX),
have complete manuals downloadable. There are also diagnostic and
setup disks.
Dave
Pete Turnbull wrote:
>
> On May 29, 6:53, Joe wrote:
>
> > Cord wrote:
>
> > >I just picked up an older style laptop that I need some hlp on. It is
> > >a Toshiba T2200SX laptop.
>
> > >1) I need a battery for this unit. I have the power supply, but the
> > >battery with it won't charge.
>
> > Your chances of finding another battery are slim. Even if you find one
> > it will be old and probably won't last long. My suggestion is to take it
> > to one of the battery places that rebuild batteries and have them replace
> > the cells in your old battery.
>
> If you can take the battery pack apart (separate it into single cells) in
> such a way that it could be re-assembled, all is not lost.
>
> The usual problem with NiCds is that internal crystal growth makes short
> circuits; the battery will show virtually 0V. If you force a sufficiently
> high current through the cell, it will often remove the short. However,
> the current needs to be very high, and has to be of short duration to avoid
> other damage.
>
> The way I do it, is to charge a large electrolytic capacitor up to 20V -
> 30V, connect one side to one end of a cell with a short thick wire, and
> touch ("flash") the other side to the other end with another short thick
> wire. The spark is usually fairly dramatic, so it's best to touch the wire
> to the terminals and not the case (lest the arc burn through it), and use
> eye protection. Repeat as required until the cell shows some reasonable
> voltage.
>
> Then put the cell through a full-charge/deep-discharge/full-charge cycle.
>
> I've resurrected quite a few NiCds with my 24V bench PSU and a 50,000mfd
> 30V electrolytic.
>
> BTW, inside a lot of laptop batteries, you'll find a small metal box in
> series with the cells. Don't throw it away; it's a thermal cutout intended
> to prevent excessive current flow.
>
> --
>
> Pete Peter Turnbull
> Dept. of Computer Science
> University of York
Received on Fri May 29 1998 - 10:12:24 BST