In a message dated 9/1/01 16:04:01, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>I can't seem to remember anywhere an instruction from a manufacturer on the
importance of
>leaving the unit on for the purpose of keeping the battery charged.
Bob, you are right ... you won't see this little tid bit of advice in any
user manual (that I know of). Keeping the computer constantly plugged in to a
wall socket for the purpose of recharging the battery originally came from
pre-web Mac self help books.
Now as to whether this is sage advice or not .... well, I've got a first
issue 128K Mac that has never been unplugged from the wall (other than during
storms or brown outs) and it still fires up with its original battery. I also
have a couple 512K Macs, a Mac Plus, a Mac IIx or two, and my beloved StarMax
that all are left plugged in and all have their original batteries and they
all fire up.
Fire hazard? Yes. Wasteful? I don't believe so because I haven't replaced a
battery --- ever. Maybe my baby Macs are odd because they hold onto their
batteries with an abnormal death grip. If you are concerned about a fire or
wasteful use of electricity (and I'm not making light of this energy issue as
I'm on the west coast) then turn off your CRT (if it has that "energy saver"
wait state) but leave your computer plugged in. The trickle charge to your
Mac's battery is so low that you will never notice it on your electrical bill.
OK, one more thing. Just because one has turned off those standard power
strips (and has not unplugged them from the wall) doesn't mean that they
aren't a fire hazard and without question, they can't protect against a power
spike. Been there and done that on both counts.
Maybe next week or next month I'll have enough nerve to respond to as why one
needs to reset the Cuda button with the computer plugged into the wall. This
scares the holy beejabbers out of me .... one good solid contact and the
least of your worries will be that you've fried your mother board. You know?
Complacency always gets ya in the end. It really is quite healthy to be
scared when one cracks open that case.
I've said too much. Off and running. Linda
--
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