Posted by
michael
on from the public-service dept.
Beelsebob writes "Apple have put out a recall on a certain group of PowerBook G4 batteries. If you have a PowerBook G4 (Aluminum) 15" and your battery's model number is A1045, and its serial number starts HQ404, HQ405, HQ406, HQ407, or HQ408, then you could be at risk of it overheating."
I find that when my AlBook is plugged in, with the processor performance set to "High", it averages around 130 degrees. When maxing out the CPU or taxing the graphics, though, it will go up to 143 degrees, at which point the fan turns on. If I unplug it, it gets much, much cooler - 100 degrees or so. --Quentin
Re:replace
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 5, Informative
What does "recondition the battery" mean?
The battery circuitry tracks charge level and usage patterns to estimate how much time you have left. If you go for a while without draning the battery all the way, the estimates can become inaccurate. Therefore it is recommended that you deep-cycle the battery about once a month, draining it all the way then charging it all the way up. This reminds the circuitry of the actual capacity of the battery, and this is what is called reconditioning.
Don't be tempted to drain the battery every time. While deep-cycling was necessary with NiCads and NiMH batteries, it's bad for Li-ion batteries.
A couple more details
by
Lord+Grey
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· Score: 4, Informative
This article has a couple more details on the battery problem. From the article:
An internal short in the batteries made by LG Chem Ltd., of South Korea, can cause the battery cells to overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
In addition, note that the battery's model number must be A1045 -- the serial number prefix alone doesn't uniquely identify the battery.
-- // Beyond Here Lie Dragons
Re:It already overheats.
by
kannibal_klown
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· Score: 3, Informative
I have the PB 15" (1.25 GHz). And while I've never had it on my lap while playing, say, Unreal 2004, it's never been that hot. It's actually run cooler than most of my other noitebooks.
The PB 12, on the other hand, feels like it just came out of the oven. That thing heats up like a hot plate on a summer day. It's ony of the main reasons I decided to get the 15" instead (that, and I wanted to use it as my main computer and the screen was just annoying).
But truthfully, m Powerbook has been the best computer purchase I've ever made. And this is coming from a person that's long-since hated Macs for various reasons. While I'm no zealot, I think the Powerbook is a work of art.
Re:One more...
by
kannibal_klown
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· Score: 3, Informative
No...
A1045 is the model number, not the serial number.
A1045 is like saying "The Chevy Malibu." The serial numbers are like saying "if your VIN number starts with..." or more broadly "models made between 1995 and 1997."
My battery is model number A1045, but it's serial number is not in the supplied list. Therefore, mine doesn't have a problem.
Re:IMPOSSIBLE!
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 3, Informative
Actually, it isn't Apple's fault. It's the fault of the battery manufacturer, LG Chem, Ltd. of South Korea; the recall is only on batteries manufactured during the last week of December.
Re:Year of the Portable my butt
by
david_reese
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· Score: 4, Informative
Apple's got some real quality control issues, despite their reputation. They seem to have at least one or two recalls per year for various reasons ranging from defective batteries to defective power supplies to defective screens, as well as other problems that are common complaints but that they do nothing about (such as the iPod battery service life issue). The recall I noted above was actually a safety issue, and I would guess the overheating batteries in the G4 PB's might be a safety issue as well.
Guess their "reputation" also includes independent consumer reports studies... (note: link is to maccentral forums, but the info is from valid consumer reports articles... updated as of Jun04, I checked).
Re:Common AA's - they are
by
adzoox
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· Score: 4, Informative
Actually, the cells in these batteries ARE replaceable - they are common double AA's. (It has been disputed they may not be, but I have actually taken a G4 battery apart - rechargeable Lithium Ion Batteries) I wish they'd make the casing easier to split apart though.
If it happens in 2 different laptops, then it's the battery, not the software. It is possible that you need to go through the calibration procedure again (Listed in the owners guide for the Powerbook). Otherwise, the battery is probably on it's way to the Charger in the Sky.
Li-Ion/Li-Polymer batteries have a certain life expectancy, after which they won't hold a charge perfectly, and their output voltage fluctuates more than usual, which is what makes the battery meter go wonky.
Slashdot Mirror
ZDNet Story
Forbes
I had always felt there was an overheating problem. People in the newsgroups and suggested that I recondition my battery... which maybe helped some.
Anyway, glad to know that I'll be getting a new battery out of it.
AC
I have the PB 15" (1.25 GHz). And while I've never had it on my lap while playing, say, Unreal 2004, it's never been that hot. It's actually run cooler than most of my other noitebooks.
The PB 12, on the other hand, feels like it just came out of the oven. That thing heats up like a hot plate on a summer day. It's ony of the main reasons I decided to get the 15" instead (that, and I wanted to use it as my main computer and the screen was just annoying).
But truthfully, m Powerbook has been the best computer purchase I've ever made. And this is coming from a person that's long-since hated Macs for various reasons. While I'm no zealot, I think the Powerbook is a work of art.
No...
..." or more broadly "models made between 1995 and 1997."
A1045 is the model number, not the serial number.
A1045 is like saying "The Chevy Malibu." The serial numbers are like saying "if your VIN number starts with
My battery is model number A1045, but it's serial number is not in the supplied list. Therefore, mine doesn't have a problem.
Actually, it isn't Apple's fault. It's the fault of the battery manufacturer, LG Chem, Ltd. of South Korea; the recall is only on batteries manufactured during the last week of December.
Guess their "reputation" also includes independent consumer reports studies... (note: link is to maccentral forums, but the info is from valid consumer reports articles... updated as of Jun04, I checked).
Actually, the cells in these batteries ARE replaceable - they are common double AA's. (It has been disputed they may not be, but I have actually taken a G4 battery apart - rechargeable Lithium Ion Batteries) I wish they'd make the casing easier to split apart though.
See an xray here
Yell & scream & rant & rave... it's no use... you need a shaaaave ~ Bugs Bunny
Li-Ion/Li-Polymer batteries have a certain life expectancy, after which they won't hold a charge perfectly, and their output voltage fluctuates more than usual, which is what makes the battery meter go wonky.
Hope that helps.
Here's an article about battery calibration from the Apple site:
2 84
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86
Essentially, you just need to charge your batter to full, then use it until it goes to sleep and it will recalibrate itself.