[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> 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.
____________________
Here's the month old Apple site pontification on leaving machines on. It
is a masterpiece of whiffle-whaffery. "Some say this, some say that, we
don't know quite what to say...(Maybe they're worried about liability
for fires(?)."
And yes, even at this late date in the production of billions of macs
and clones, still no mention of battery charging:
http://kbase.info.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/kbase.woa/4/wa/query?type=id&val=4701
_____________________
I'm intrigued by this still existent, original battery life based on
being left on, so I went and dug up my IIvx and checked its battery with
both a voltmeter and a battery load tester. The date on the battery was
2/1993; the voltage 3.62; and the battery tested good under load.
That would be an excellent confirmation of leaving the max and macs
plugged in, except that the IIvx has been sitting downstairs in the
basement in a box since 1994. The battery was in the holder, so I assume
it was connected to the circuitry that would have drained it, but
apparently not. (?)
The one big difference between our starmax batteries and these macs are
that our max have an alkaline battery and the macs mostly have lithium
batteries. There's a substantial difference in shelf life and physical
properties, but 8 years storage under "load" and still seemingly topped
off is a surprise to me. (Incidentally, the IIvx started right up with a
boing and took me on a little trip to nostalgia-ville with its files.)
_________________
> 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.
The trickle charge to the battery is remarkably low, but there are
apparently other things at work beside that charger in our computers
today. "Watts: Personal Computer CPU - awake / asleep = 120 / 30 or less
� Monitor - awake / asleep = 150 / 30 or less � Laptop = 50" (taken
from the US D of En.) I keep my coffee well-warmed on the satellite
receiver that's never turned off. That's what was included in my generic "wasteful."
Fires are a problem in that so many little wall transformers are
recalled every year after proving themselves to be self-actualizing
charcoal briquettes. I've seen enough fire damage and incident reports
to simply be prudent. I had an aunt who used to pull the cords for the
table lamps out from the outlets so the electricity wouldn't leak out
the sockets at night. I'm not quite in her class, but then again I'm not
far behind.
>
> 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.
That's the same fire safety point. A power strip, even breaker
protected, can stll cause a fire through weak blade contacts or internal
design stupidities--and that's why I buy the UL and CSA labeled items.
_____________________
>
> I've said too much. Off and running. Linda
Nope, you've said just the right amount, but I don't want to run up our
time on the quote meter.
Bob Wulkowicz
--
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