Dangerous Laptop Battery? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 05:03:18 am
content: I have a laptop that's just over 8 years old. It's a HP Presario CQ45. But for some reason the battery gets hot (Not REALLY hot, just warm) when it is kept in the laptop. This is a battery that holds almost no charge and will shut off after disconnecting the power cable for just a couple of minutes. The reason why I need to keep the battery in is because the computer has a faulty power connector and will disconnect if it's wiggled even slightly. I'm going to be using it as a server and setting up a Domain Controller on it, so I need to be able to keep the battery in. Is doing this safe, and does it pose a risk if it's a battery that has almost no capacity left?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 05:36:19 am
content: Actually, the heat's not coming from the battery. It seems to be coming from a square panel near the battery, which is slightly warm.It also has a very (slight) burning smell, but only if you get up close to it.It's currently installing Windows Server. I'll monitor it and see if anything changes.

author: mikael1985
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 11:03:39 am
content: Hi have you considered either fixing the power connector - or permanently attach the power cord wires to the point where the faulty connector is attached?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 11:22:56 am
content: Pretty much tried that. The connector only works when about halfway in, so it's tricky to tape to the socket. (I'll have a go anyway). I don't know what causes the problem with the connector, so I can't fix it. (Don't want to be messing around with that.)I opened up the computer about an hour ago, it's pretty dusty inside, I'll give it a good clean and then get back to you

author: han
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 11:40:16 am
content: most likely the cable on barrel DC connector (on cable) that broken

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 12:13:53 pm
content: Quote from: CitadelCore on September 25, 2015, 05:36:19 amPicture of this part? It could be the loose connection on the power connector causing the heat (resistive heating).(As an aside, here's another reason to invest in a thermal camera...)

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2015, 12:45:05 pm
content: This is what the connector looks like.Just looked at the computer. The place where it's hot is nowhere near where the power connector is, it's on the opposite end of the case. The place which is the most hot is the fan vent & fan itself (NOT the CPU cover). Checked it, can't be bad ventilation because it's on a flat wooden surface.

author: mikael1985
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2015, 10:13:41 am
content: Okay I actually thougt about just cutting the power cord and solder it on the correct terminals inside the computer, so the powersocket is removed and instead the cable enters - if you not are going to change the battery anyway.but try looking at this videoto see how a repair can be done.but you could also just change the broken part - they are really not that expensivefemale plug with jumperhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-Power-Jack-Hp-Compaq-Cq40-Cq45-Dv4-1000-DV4-2000-Dv7-1000-Series-Conector-/251802800110?hash=item3aa09dcfeemale plughttp://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-Tip-7-4x5-0mm-Power-Plug-Socket-Connector-with-Cord-Cable-for-HP-Laptop-GU-/351528342488?hash=item51d8b8d3d8