Ni_MH instaed of Li-ion for Thinkpad 385XD?

eaxelrode · 06-22-2006, 04:04 PM

IBM Thinkpad 385XD, 1998

Largely to see if I could do it, I upgraded this to a larger HD, Windows ME, WiFi card.

Original(1998) 10.8V Li-ion battery failed in 2004 and I bought a replacement from Laptops for Less. I now need another, but they tell me it is no longer available, and shipped a Ni-MH 8.4V instead. So:

1. Will it work?
2. Use the same charger?
3. Any problems to watch out for?

Thanks in advance.

**Joefireline** · 06-23-2006, 09:21 AM

Well I am not sure about the type (NiCd and Li-ion) but I am sure it won't work due to it being 8.4V instead of 10.8V...

eaxelrode · 06-23-2006, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joefireline

Well I am not sure about the type (NiCd and Li-ion) but I am sure it won't work due to it being 8.4V instead of 10.8V...

Thanks. That is my thought as well.

Guess I will have to use it exclusively on AC from now on.

**laboye** · 06-24-2006, 10:33 AM

Well, volts is more electrical throughput. The battery should actually work fine, but not last as long. So long as the battery's amperage is the same as the computer, it will work fine. Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) batteries use an older obsolete formula to hold electricity. They work well, but degrade faster. Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) batteries are not prone [as much] to degrading, but often suffer cell loss. The formulations have their ups and downs, but Li-ion is most often used today. The battery should work fine...

Same charger, too btw...

eaxelrode · 06-24-2006, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laboye

Well, volts is more electrical throughput. The battery should actually work fine, but not last as long. So long as the battery's amperage is the same as the computer, it will work fine. Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) batteries use an older obsolete formula to hold electricity. They work well, but degrade faster. Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) batteries are not prone [as much] to degrading, but often suffer cell loss. The formulations have their ups and downs, but Li-ion is most often used today. The battery should work fine...

Same charger, too btw...

Thanks. Actually this is a Nickel Metal Hydride battery, which I thought was different than Ni-Cd? But presumably your answer still holds true

**laboye** · 06-24-2006, 11:25 AM

Ah, didnt see that! Yes, Ni-MH is Nickel-Metal Hydride. They exhibit the same downs as Ni-Cd. Again, that battery should be just fine. Remember to compare the amperage (A). The mAh (milli-Amp-hours) tells you the cumulative capacity of all the cells in the battery. The higher, the more time you shall get out if the battery. Aside from that, thats all!

06-22-2006, 04:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
eaxelrode Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6 OS: Win ME	Ni_MH instaed of Li-ion for Thinkpad 385XD? IBM Thinkpad 385XD, 1998 Largely to see if I could do it, I upgraded this to a larger HD, Windows ME, WiFi card. Original(1998) 10.8V Li-ion battery failed in 2004 and I bought a replacement from Laptops for Less. I now need another, but they tell me it is no longer available, and shipped a Ni-MH 8.4V instead. So: 1. Will it work? 2. Use the same charger? 3. Any problems to watch out for? Thanks in advance.

06-23-2006, 09:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
Joefireline Enthusiastic TSFer~Joseph Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Portishead (Bristol) England Posts: 5,313 OS: XP Pro SP2(Desktop) / XP Home SP2(laptop) My System	Well I am not sure about the type (NiCd and Li-ion) but I am sure it won't work due to it being 8.4V instead of 10.8V... __________________ - Joseph LAPTOP: Acer Aspire 5512WMLi (Specification) OPTIMIZE XP BEFORE POSTING HJT LOG - POST HJT LOG >>HERE<< If TSF has helped you, please help TSF: Please DONATE

06-24-2006, 10:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
laboye TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 1,246 OS: Windows xp Pro/Vista Beta 2/Ubuntu 6.06 LTS My System	Well, volts is more electrical throughput. The battery should actually work fine, but not last as long. So long as the battery's amperage is the same as the computer, it will work fine. Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) batteries use an older obsolete formula to hold electricity. They work well, but degrade faster. Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) batteries are not prone [as much] to degrading, but often suffer cell loss. The formulations have their ups and downs, but Li-ion is most often used today. The battery should work fine... Same charger, too btw... __________________ Repair Windows XP Guide --- Resolutions Crazy Computer that I'm saving up for::Antec P180 Case;PC Pwr&Cooling 1kW Quad SLI PSU;Asus P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe;Intel Core2 XE X6800;Corsair TWIN2XP2048 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2 RAM;2xAsus GeForce 7950 GX2;BFG PhysX Accel.;IBM DVD-RAM/Plextor DVD±RW;Seagate 750GB HD 7200RPM;WDX 150GB 10000RPM;Vigor Monsoon TEC Cooler Last edited by laboye; 06-24-2006 at 10:35 AM.

06-24-2006, 11:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
laboye TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 1,246 OS: Windows xp Pro/Vista Beta 2/Ubuntu 6.06 LTS My System	Ah, didnt see that! Yes, Ni-MH is Nickel-Metal Hydride. They exhibit the same downs as Ni-Cd. Again, that battery should be just fine. Remember to compare the amperage (A). The mAh (milli-Amp-hours) tells you the cumulative capacity of all the cells in the battery. The higher, the more time you shall get out if the battery. Aside from that, thats all! __________________ Repair Windows XP Guide --- Resolutions Crazy Computer that I'm saving up for::Antec P180 Case;PC Pwr&Cooling 1kW Quad SLI PSU;Asus P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe;Intel Core2 XE X6800;Corsair TWIN2XP2048 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2 RAM;2xAsus GeForce 7950 GX2;BFG PhysX Accel.;IBM DVD-RAM/Plextor DVD±RW;Seagate 750GB HD 7200RPM;WDX 150GB 10000RPM;Vigor Monsoon TEC Cooler