Dead laptop battery

[SavannahLion]

After about three years, it looks like my laptop battery finally bit the dust. I'm using a Dell E1705 and the battery light blinks Orange, orange, orange orange then green. The battery itself blinks LEDs 1/3/5 three times on the self check. Googled around and this isn't a good thing.

I'm not entirely thrilled about this development since an OEM replacement from Dell is going to cost me around $140 or more. Supposed OEM replacements from third party vendors is about half that. Oddly enough, I didn't see any third party batteries unless the descriptions of the OEM replacements from the third party vendors are blatantly false. I looked at cell replacement but haven't priced it out yet. From what I understand though, a cell replacement still doesn't get me past any battery controller issues

The most painful part is I'm going to have to take replacement money from my arcade budget. 

After the hoopla about laptop batteries catching on fire, I'm not too keen on buying a battery from a third party manufacturer or vendor. Anyone know of a reliable source for laptop replacement batteries that isn't going to dent my arcade budget or put my house at risk?

[punxrus]

I would suggest a Batteries Plus store to purchase a replacement. I've used them for several laptops at our office and have never had any issues with them. As for cell replacement, don't waste your time as the cells can be expensive, hard to put together if you don't have the right equipment and you'll have the issues with the battery controller board. If all else fails, you can purchase used, but who knows how long that will last... either way...good luck to ya!

[CCM]

I have to agree with punxrus and recommend Batteries Plus.  I bought a replacement battery for my Toshiba Satellite there a few months ago and have had no problems.

[HaRuMaN]

After the hoopla about laptop batteries catching on fire, I'm not too keen on buying a battery from a third party manufacturer or vendor. Anyone know of a reliable source for laptop replacement batteries that isn't going to dent my arcade budget or put my house at risk?

I've seen an OEM Dell battery catch fire before.   

[SavannahLion]

Never heard of Batteries Plus so I checked out their online store. Holy smokes, a Rayovac for a $120  That only saves me between $20-40 for a non-OEM? At least it's 6.6Ah and not the 5.3Ah my old one is.

Cell replacement was starting to look pretty grim when two of the cell vendors required usage, charge rate, discharge rate, etc before ever selling anyone Lith-Ion cells. Bleh. Plus I didn't really like the idea of walking around with a Franken-battery held together by duct tape.

I've seen an OEM Dell battery catch fire before.  

Supposedly the vast majority of exploding Lith-Ions out there are from third party manufacturers using cheap Chinese components. At least that's the statement made by companies like Dell. Of course, where's the evidence?  But if that were true, then Sony and Dell would have had no reason to do a recall. Hmmmm....   

[punxrus]

There really is no such thing as a cheap laptop battery. Honestly, if your laptop doesn't do much other than browse the all knowing intertron or email, I would go out and buy a new laptop for $300...but it's up to you...

[ChadTower]

You could carry around a charged up UPS and plug it into that.   

[punxrus]

You could carry around a charged up UPS and plug it into that.   

Yeah...it could be just like the old school bag phones of the '80s! 200lbs. and runs for 15 mins...

[SavannahLion]

There really is no such thing as a cheap laptop battery. Honestly, if your laptop doesn't do much other than browse the all knowing intertron or email, I would go out and buy a new laptop for $300...but it's up to you...

Hey, all that porn needs to look good on my 17" screen.

[punxrus]

This is true...I do like the screen on my E1505, so I can imagine it on the E1707...but hey, I would watch the pron on my cell phone screen if I had too!

[Hockeyboy]

Ummm, when my Dell laptop battery died, I went online to search for replacements and found a place that was selling them for $75 - about half what Dell wanted at the time, and that price included shipping.

I'd do some quick Google searching and see if you can save yourself some money.

[ark_ader]

I use a solar recharge sun visor on my thinkpad.  It trickle charges the battery and keeps it from draining completely - which is very bad for any rechargeable battery.   You can get them from Fry's for $25.

[SavannahLion]

Ummm, when my Dell laptop battery died, I went online to search for replacements and found a place that was selling them for $75 - about half what Dell wanted at the time, and that price included shipping.

I'd do some quick Google searching and see if you can save yourself some money.

ummm.... 

Supposed OEM replacements from third party vendors is about half that. Oddly enough, I didn't see any third party batteries unless the descriptions of the OEM replacements from the third party vendors are blatantly false.