# is there a way to re energize a used up litium-ion battery? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 21, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-re-energize-a-used-up-litium-ion-battery/235570 "2004-03-21T18:01:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbit)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-re-energize-a-used-up-litium-ion-battery/235570/1 "2004-03-21T18:01:43Z")
Hey all, hoping theres hope here. 😃 I have an old laptop (IBM Thinkpad) with the original Lithium-ion battery. The battery is toast. Wont charge up no matter how long it remains plugged in. Normally I don’t mind since i use it almost exclusively near and around wall outlets, but I would like to be able to have SOME charge to it, for those cases where I need to do something quickly and would rather not have to pull out all the cables. IS there ANY way to get an old battery to recharge at least half way? Anything? I really would rather not spend the 300+ IBM asks for replacements. THanks all. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-re-energize-a-used-up-litium-ion-battery/235570/2 "2004-03-21T18:08:01Z")
There’s no cure for a dead LiIon battery, unfortunately. However, if you can get the case of the battery pack open (it may be cemented shut, so some mangling may occur), you’ll probably find it’s a series of standard-sized (usually sub-C or AA) cells. If you can find replacement cells that include solderable tabs (I know NiCd and NiMH cells like this are available, not sure about LiIon), then you can reconstruct it fairly cheaply. Also, you might be able to find a third-party manufacturer of replacement packs. Post your laptop model number and battery pack model number if you’re having trouble finding one. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-re-energize-a-used-up-litium-ion-battery/235570/3 "2004-03-21T18:43:23Z")
Most new or refurb to new IBM Lion batteries on Ebay are $ 30 - $90 depending on model. Per QED while it would be possible to open the welded plastic case of a IBM battery pack and replace the batteries, without specialized opening and resealing equipment I suspect the battery case might lack integrity (even if it worked) after this procedure and a leaking battery could be disasterous without a tighly sealed case. ---
**Author:** ![SavageNarce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@SavageNarce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SavageNarce)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-re-energize-a-used-up-litium-ion-battery/235570/4 "2004-03-21T18:49:45Z")
In my experience (based on cordless phones, not laptops), there is no more risk of the battery cells leaking whether you open the case or not. The cells inside are sealed, and if one of them should spring a leak, the plastic case probably doesn’t have enough integrity to keep the goop out of your electronics. The more serious difficulty is getting the battery pack to snap back inside the computer properly. Distortion in the battery pack may well be enough to keep the proper connections from being made, or to prevent the latches from working properly. I suggest the “buy a replacement” option. If you don’t like using e-bay, a quick google for “thinkpad battery” will produce lots of options for obtaining a replacement battery pack. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-re-energize-a-used-up-litium-ion-battery/235570/5 "2004-03-21T18:52:07Z")
> [@astro](#): > > I suspect the battery case might lack integrity (even if it worked) after this procedure and a leaking battery could be disasterous without a tighly sealed case. Not really, since the individual cells are themselves sealed. If the individual cells start leaking, you’ve got other problems to deal with. In most cases, the case itself isn’t designed to be leakproof, and even factory-sealed packs can leak if the cells inside do. I’ve rebuilt several camcorder and laptop battery packs this way. The real trick is to get the case put back together such that it doesn’t jam inside the device its powering. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-re-energize-a-used-up-litium-ion-battery/235570/6 "2004-03-21T18:59:17Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > Not really, since the individual cells are themselves sealed. If the individual cells start leaking, you’ve got other problems to deal with. In most cases, the case itself isn’t designed to be leakproof, and even factory-sealed packs can leak if the cells inside do. I’ve rebuilt several camcorder and laptop battery packs this way. The real trick is to get the case put back together such that it doesn’t jam inside the device its powering. What’s yor procedure for notebook batteries? I have a couple of dead battery packs I’d like to (but don’t _need_ to) get running, but the new pack prices are beyond what I’d consider. Where do you get your replacement lion cells? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-re-energize-a-used-up-litium-ion-battery/235570/7 "2004-03-21T19:08:46Z")
> [@astro](#): > > What’s yor procedure for notebook batteries? I have a couple of dead battery packs I’d like to (but don’t _need_ to) get running, but the new pack prices are beyond what I’d consider. Where do you get your replacement lion cells? I’ve enver done this with a LiIon pack, so I’m not sure about their availability. A quick Google search tells me they’re out there, though–at least in the sub-C size that’s common in such packs. As for the procedure, it really depends on the pack. Some cases will separate very easily, albeit with some marring, by using a flat-blade screwdriver to pry apart the halves. Others are rather thoroughly cemented together and have to be cut apart. I don’t generally worry about aesthetics with this sort of thing though, so much as maintaining the dimensions as closely as possible and not cutting off any important keying tabs or latches. I find my Dremel witha cutoff wheel at low RPM does a fairly good job, but you have to allow for the kerf when reassembling the case. Epoxy is good for that, plus you can use it to build up the cut edge to replace the material lost in cutting. It’s sort of an art, and each case needs to be taken indiviually. As with most such things, the quality of the result is directly proportional to the care you put into it. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2004, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-re-energize-a-used-up-litium-ion-battery/235570/8 "2004-03-22T04:02:55Z")
I routinely take apart rechargable battery packs and replace defective cells with ones taken from other packs. In the case of LiIons, my experience is that you probably have CGR18650\* cells (Panasonic’s designation). I buy old LiIon cell packs whenever I come across them at thrift stores and whatnot for a buck or two. Rip them apart, recharge and test the cells. (1. Will they hold a decent charge just sitting around for a week? 2. Will they keep a small bulb glowing without noticable dimming for a good while?) LiIon packs for laptops usually come in group arrangements: 2 or 3 cells in parallel, 3 or 4 such groups in series. If one cell in a group goes bad, the rest are probably shot too. An issue of note: I have a pack where the cells are good but the electronics inside the pack are bad. Fwwwappp! Something to check. Note: My rebuilds are not “like new” but are pretty good for the bucks invested. \*No, I don’t have the number memorized. There just “happens” to be 6 of them next to my mousepad. Doesn’t everybody? ---
**Author:** ![rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbit)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2004, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-re-energize-a-used-up-litium-ion-battery/235570/9 "2004-03-22T04:40:10Z")
wow. Had no idea you could do this. Most interesting. Any idea where to start looking for these lithion batteries? Im guessing that you wont have much luck at garage sales (too cold for them now anyway). Saw a fella on ebay offering a replacement for a significantly cheaper price (about 120 canadian). But if I can get the batteries, I’ve no worries about giving the DIY thing a shot.