Battery on laptop - Montana Owners Club

Ozz · 08-15-2006, 12:19 PM

Ozzie, a question for you, and our other members that are computer people; I have a HP laptop, I have heard of the Dell's problems, also have heard many batteries that may be defective, or prone to shorting are in other brands.
I have some info on mine; Li-ion, Model HSTNN-1Bo2
Cell orig. in China, further processed in Japan.
Do I have a problem, Houston?
Thanks.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, 2nd one and twinning kit coming
Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish
LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge
LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets
On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat
Hadley Air Horns
Truck inverter with 110 volts for laptop
Color Backup Camera
Awning lock

Ozzie · 08-15-2006, 12:54 PM

Hey Ozz...:wave:

Funny you mentioning that. I was just in the office today and two people had just received letters from Dell about their batteries.
Neither notebook was on the list of exploding batteries used, but Dell was sure all over it sending out those notices.
I would have to think if this was a supplier problem (which it sounds like it is), whatever company using those batteries would be in the same position.
My first recommendation would be a phone call to HP customer support to see if you could possibly be affected by this. At Dell they are going by model numbers, so I would think HP would be the same, and should be able to quickly provide you with an answer.
Just so you know - if memory serves, it was the batteries from Japan with the problems.
I personally would be hesitant to use your notebook with the battery in it until you know. You should be able to run it off 110 with no battery in it.
I am going in tomorrow again and would be happy to take another look at those letterrs from Dell for you.

327RKS

Parrothead · 08-15-2006, 01:05 PM

Since I bought a Dell Laptop during this time period, I was really worried so I logged into the site. They have a list of battery model numbers. There are 36. Mine was not on the list. Yeah!
Happy trails.................................

Sue and Ed Rowe
Hemet California

2005 3400RL

2006 GMC 3500 Dually, D/A, Crew Cab, Long Bed

Ozzie · 08-15-2006, 01:36 PM

Thank you Parrothead...does this list look familiar?

327RKS

Glenn and Lorraine · 08-15-2006, 01:37 PM

Ozzie,
I've had my HP for about 6 months and have used it on AC and DC and so far no problems.
Could you give us a link to get further info on this battery problem.

THANKS!

jrgwdenner · 08-15-2006, 01:55 PM

I have one! And it is no longer in my computer! I'll be looking for the next step, too.

Judy
http://spaces.msn.com/bamatravelers/
http://bamatravelers.blogspot.com
Traveling with Glen and Greta in our 2004 Dodge dually and Montana 3380 RL

Ozzie · 08-15-2006, 02:09 PM

This is the link to the program:

http://www.dellbatteryprogram.com

I happen to have a good friend in Canada that works for Dell...

His words to me:
"All a person has to do is fill in the form that you get to by following the link in the button at the bottom of the page. Dell sends you the replacement battery and a return way bill and box for the old one. box it up and it comes back to dell at no charge to the customer."

327RKS

Ozz · 08-15-2006, 02:46 PM

Has anyone heard of other brands experiencing problems?
(I will call HP tomorrow)
Thanks, Ozzie

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, 2nd one and twinning kit coming
Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish
LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge
LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets
On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat
Hadley Air Horns
Truck inverter with 110 volts for laptop
Color Backup Camera
Awning lock

Mac · 08-15-2006, 03:28 PM

YES! I buy technology for a living and it's an industry wide problem, or potential problem. That said when I was talking to someone pretty high up the food chain at Dell today they indicated they have only had 21 incidents in 4.2 million computers. In all honesty that's probably pretty close to a "normal" failure rate of anything. I'll keep you posted, none of our 2000+ laptops appear to be among the problem ones.

mac

1999 Silverado LS Extended Cab, Prodigy Brake Controller
2006 2955RL

drhowell · 08-16-2006, 04:33 AM

The following article is from Time.com. Apparently the Battery's are made for Dell by Sony Corp and they make batteries for many different brands. Dell had a battery recall back in 2002 also but it never made national news. If my Dell has the recalled battery get it replaced for free from Dell. If you have some other brand laptop you probably do not have a problem. I would be cautious to check any battery for excessive heat buildup in any device.
"Although millions of batteries are being recalled, only six incidents within the U.S. since April 2004 were part of the lead-up investigation, conducted by Dell and Sony. Dell confirmed that it worked with Sony over the last few months to improve the battery manufacturing process. Because Sony batteries are used by many different laptop manufacturers, the problem could be more widespread."

If you are looking for batteries that have been known for causing numerous home fires you might check out: the chargers on items like small portable screwdrivers, telephone chargers, razor chargers, play stations and a few of the other battery operated rechargeable devices we have come to take for granted. There is a list at the consumer protection web page. http://search.cpsc.gov/query.html?co...gers&x=11&y=10

Farmer Don [MOC 3628]
Barbara & Fuzzy (the Bichon)
2001 3280RL
2004 Ford F250

sreigle · 08-16-2006, 07:06 AM

I believe Sony had a recall a year or two ago, also. On batteries. I remember checking mine and finding it's not one of the problem children. I had hoped it was because that battery only lasts about ten minutes nowadays and I'd like to get a new one for free.

I'll check both HP's against those battery numbers, too.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

padredw · 08-16-2006, 09:02 AM

Just to "second" the above observation of how rare this problem really is. I have one of the Dell laptops included in the recall (Inspiron 6000) and I am not worried. I will, of course, send in the battery but will not be in any hurry about it. The whole thing has been played up by the public media. One could easily have the impression that laptops were bursting into flame all over the place. Such is not the case at all.

The thing that anyone can do to reduce even this remote chance of fire is to unplug the battery charger from AC and NOT leave it plugged in all the time. In fact a good idea would be to turn off the computer when it is not in use and be sure the AC is unplugged.

For me that makes sense because I have DSL and would not want my computer to be open to the internet when I am not using it.

David and Shirley -- East Texas
2955 RL Montana
Chevrolet Duramax 2500 Allison Trans
http://www.dwilliamson.com/mont.jpg

padredw · 08-16-2006, 11:27 AM

Just checked my Dell Inspiron notebook and found that my battery is NOT one of those subject to recall, so I stand corrected and pleased.

David and Shirley -- East Texas
2955 RL Montana
Chevrolet Duramax 2500 Allison Trans
http://www.dwilliamson.com/mont.jpg

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