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Power Sources: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3800 System Reference

	AC Adapter
	Batteries

AC Adapter

Using the AC Adapter

The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. The AC adapter kit includes two cables: the AC adapter cable and an AC power cable.

You can connect the AC adapter with your computer either turned on or off.

The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors vary among countries. Before you use AC power in a foreign country, you may need to obtain a new power cable designed for use in that country.

If the computer is docked to an advanced port replicator (APR), you can connect the AC adapter either to the computer or to the APR.

NOTE: If you are running your computer on AC power with a battery installed, the AC adapter charges the battery (if needed) and then maintains the battery's charge.

Connecting the AC Adapter

To connect the AC adapter, perform the following steps:

1. Connect the AC adapter power cable to the AC adapter (see Figure 1).

2. Plug the AC adapter power cable into an electrical outlet.

3. Plug the AC adapter cable into the AC adapter connector on the computer.

Figure 1. Connecting the AC Adapter

	1	AC adapter power cable
	2	AC adapter
	3	AC adapter cable

Turning the Computer On

To turn on the computer, press the power button.

NOTE: If your computer's operating system is "locked up"—that is, it does not respond to commands—press and hold down the power button for at least 5 seconds to shut it off.

Batteries

Your computer’s battery provides power when an electrical outlet is not available. A battery in the battery bay is standard with the computer. Lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are longer lived than conventional batteries and do not require replacement as often. To double battery life, install a second battery in the media bay. Lithium-ion batteries do not have the "memory effect" that is exhibited by NiMH and nickel-cadmium (NiCad) batteries. You do not need to drain a lithium-ion battery completely before recharging it. A lithium-ion battery will not "forget" at which point it is fully charged. NiMH and NiCad batteries may not charge fully if they are partially drained and then recharged.

The lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride technology used in your computer’s battery is significantly less hazardous to the environment than the lithium metal technology used in some other batteries (such as watch batteries). Spent batteries should not be placed with common household waste products. Contact local authorities for the location of a chemical waste collection program nearest you.

Keep the following information in mind when you are running your computer from the battery:

• You can expect 2.5 to 5 hours of battery life with a single fully charged battery and 5 to 10 hours of battery life with two fully charged batteries. Actual performance varies, depending on which power management features are enabled and which application programs are being used.

• When two batteries are installed, the computer draws power first from the battery in the media bay. The AC adapter first charges the battery in the battery bay.

• The integrated charge gauge lets you check a battery’s charge before you insert it into the computer.

• The battery’s self-test capability alerts you to battery conditions such as low charge.

• There is no battery memory effect with lithium-ion batteries—you can charge the battery whenever you like without fear of reducing its charge capacity.

• A battery has a life span of up to 400 full charges and 2000 partial charges, provided it is charged at normal room temperature.

Charging a Hot Battery

If your battery is hot from being used in your computer or being in a hot environment, take note of the following precautions:

• A hot battery will not charge when you connect the AC adapter to the computer. This safety feature is important because charging a hot battery shortens the battery’s life span and may damage the battery and the computer.

• The battery is too hot to start charging if the battery indicator flashes alternately green and amber. If this occurs, disconnect the computer from its electrical outlet and allow it and the battery to return to room temperature. Reconnect the computer to the electrical outlet and continue charging the battery.

• If the computer is not allowed to return to room temperature, the battery stops charging before it reaches its full capacity.

Battery Usage

The battery is partially charged when you receive it. Dell recommends that you charge your battery to full capacity before using it to power the computer.

If you are powering the computer from a battery, try to conserve battery power. A number of factors affect battery operating time:

• Power conservation features that you use

• Type of display and microprocessor your computer has

• Use of the CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM drive, or SuperDisk LS-120 drive module

• Number and type of PC Cards and other external devices you use

• Kinds of application programs you run

• Capacity of the memory modules you install (the higher the capacity, the more power used)

• Use of the infrared port

When you activate standby mode, the computer can run on battery power for approximately one week (if the battery was fully charged before activating standby mode).

If you are going to store the computer, disconnect all peripheral devices and turn off the computer. Remove the battery when you store your computer for an extended period of time. A battery will drain when not in use during prolonged storage. After a long storage period, recharge the battery fully before you attempt to run your computer from battery power.

Installing a Battery in the Battery Bay

To install a battery in the battery bay, perform the following steps (see Figure 2).  

NOTES: You can also install a battery in the media bay. If necessary, print these instructions for reference before proceeding.

Figure 2. Installing a Battery

1. Save your work and close all open files and application programs.

2. If the computer is docked, undock it.

3. If the battery bay contains a battery and your system is off, go to step 5.

4. If the only battery in the computer is in the battery bay and that is the battery you want to replace, preserve your data in one of these ways, and then proceed to step 5:

• Use the standby mode.

Place the computer in standby mode by pressing <Fn><Esc> (or <Scroll Lock><Esc> on an external keyboard if the External Hot Key option is enabled in the System Setup program).

• Use the save-to-disk suspend (S2D) mode.

Place the computer in S2D mode by pressing <Fn><a> (or <Fn><q> on a French keyboard). When the green power indicator turns off, continue to step 5.

5. Remove the battery from the battery bay:

1. Close the computer display and turn the computer over.

2. Slide the battery bay latch toward the Unlock icon.

3. Hold  the latch with one hand while pulling the battery out of the bay with the other hand.

4. Release the latch after you remove the battery.

6. Slide the new battery firmly into the battery bay.

You should hear a click when the battery is fully seated.

7. If you put the computer into standby or S2D mode, press the power button to resume normal operation.

Installing a Second Battery

If your computer is running Windows® 98 with Softex BayManager or Windows NT® with Softex Docking Services, see "Installing a Second Battery With Softex Docking Services or BayManager Software."

To install a battery in the media bay, perform the following steps:

1. Save and close any open files, exit any open application programs, and shut down the computer.

2. If the computer is docked, undock it.

For instructions see your Advanced Port Replicator User's Guide.

3. Remove any device that may be installed in the media bay (see Figure 3):
1. Close the computer display and turn the computer over.
2. Slide the media bay latch toward the unlock icon to release the device in the bay.
3. Hold the latch in the unlock position while pulling the device out of the bay.
4. Release the latch after you remove the device.

4. Slide the new battery firmly into the media bay.

You should hear a click when the battery is fully seated.

Figure 3. Removing a Device From the Media Bay

	1	Unlock icon
	2	Media bay latch

Installing a Second Battery With Softex Docking Services or BayManager Software

If your computer is not running Windows 98 with Softex BayManager or Windows NT with Softex Docking Services, see "Installing a Second Battery."

To install a battery in the media bay with Softex Docking Services or Softex BayManager, perform the following steps:

1. Save and close any open files, and exit any open application programs.

2. If the computer is docked, undock it.

For instructions see your Advanced Port Replicator User's Guide.

3. Double-click the Docking Services or BayManager icon in the Windows system tray on the taskbar.\

The Softex BayManager window appears for Windows 98. The Docking Services window appears for Windows NT.

4. Click the Remove/Swap button.

5. Preserve your data in one of the following ways:
   
   
1. Place the computer in standby mode by pressing <Fn><Esc> (or by pressing <Scroll><Esc> on an external keyboard if the External Hot Key option is enabled in the System Setup program).
2. Place the computer in save-to-disk suspend mode by pressing <Fn><a> (or <Fn><q> on a French keyboard).

When the green power indicator turns off, continue to step 6.

6. Remove any device that may be installed in the media bay (see Figure 3):
   
   
1. Close the computer display and turn the computer over.
2. Slide the media bay latch toward the unlock icon to release the device in the bay.
3. Hold the latch in the unlock position while pulling the device out of the bay.
4. Release the latch after you remove the device.

7. Slide the new battery firmly into the media bay.

You should hear a click when the battery is fully seated.

NOTE: Softex BayManager and Softex Docking Services do not report a second battery installed in the media bay on the Storage Devices tab.

8. Click OK, and then click OK again to close the Softex BayManager window.

9. Press the power button to resume normal operation.

Battery Charge Gauge

The battery charge gauge consists of five indicators. Each indicator represents 20 percent of full charge. If only one indicator lights up, recharge the battery before using it.

To check the charge level, press the battery test button that is next to the indicators (see Figure 4). The appropriate number of indicators lights up for a few seconds to indicate the amount of charge remaining in the battery. For example, if three indicators light up, your battery has between 41 percent and 60 percent of its charge left.

Figure 4. Battery Charge Gauge

	1	Test button
	2	Charge-level indicator

NOTES: An indicator that blinks rapidly when you check the battery’s charge level indicates a temporary failure or a potentially recoverable failure like overheating. Allow the battery to cool for several minutes before checking the charge level again.  If the battery is experiencing a permanent failure, when you press the battery test button, you will see no indicators. If you install such a battery into the computer, the amber battery status indicator on the computer flashes rapidly. To purchase a new battery, call Dell or access the Dell World Wide Web site at http://www.dell.com. Dispose of the old battery properly.

Percentage of Charge

When you press the battery test button, the number of indicators that light up shows an estimate of the remaining battery charge:

• If one indicator lights up, the battery has 1 to 20 percent of its charge remaining. 

• If two indicators light up, the battery has 21 to 40 percent of its charge remaining.

• If three indicators light up, the battery has 41 to 60 percent of its charge remaining.

• If four indicators light up, the battery has 61 to 80 percent of its charge remaining.

• If five indicators light up, the battery has 81 to 100 percent of its charge remaining.

NOTE: When charging a nickel-metal hydride battery, there may be a sudden jump in the reported charging percentage from partially charged to fully charged.

First Low-Battery Warning

The first low-battery warning—a blinking amber battery status indicator—occurs when you have about 15 minutes of battery life left under current conditions and the computer is not connected to an electrical outlet. Figure 5 shows the battery status indicator.

Figure 5. Status Lights

	1	Power indicator
	2	Drive access indicator
	3	Battery status indicator

After the first low-battery warning, if no input/output (I/O) activity occurs within 75 seconds, the computer activates S2D mode. If the computer has no S2D partition, the computer enters standby mode. The computer can preserve data for several hours in standby mode.

If you have set the computer to enter S2D mode after a certain amount of time with no I/O activity, the computer enters S2D mode before the final low-battery warning. Once S2D mode is activated, no further power is consumed.

Second Low-Battery Warning

The second low-battery warning—a steady amber battery status indicator—occurs when you have about 5 minutes of battery life left under current conditions and the computer is not connected to an electrical outlet.

After the second low-battery warning, if no further I/O activity occurs within 15 seconds, the computer activates S2D mode. If there is no S2D partition, the computer enters standby mode. The computer can preserve data for several hours in standby mode.

If the computer is already in standby mode when a final low-battery warning occurs, the computer activates S2D mode immediately. If S2D mode has been disabled, the computer reenters standby mode.

Charging the Battery

Each time you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery in a computer that is connected to an electrical outlet, the computer checks the battery's charge. The AC adapter charges the battery (if needed) and then maintains the battery's charge.

NOTE: For maximum battery performance, charge the battery only at normal room temperature.

If two batteries are installed in the computer, the AC adapter first charges the battery in the battery bay and then the battery in the media bay. When you charge two lithium-ion batteries, one battery partially charges, then the second battery partially charges, then both batteries completely charge. When you charge two nickel-metal hydride batteries, one battery will fully charge and then the second battery will fully charge.

When installed in a computer connected to an electrical outlet, the battery immediately starts charging. The green power indicator remains steady while the AC adapter charges the battery. The indicator starts blinking when the express charge cycle is complete. While the indicator is blinking, the AC adapter provides a trickle charge to bring the battery to full capacity. The indicator continues to blink until you remove the battery or disconnect the computer from its electrical outlet.

NOTE: When charging a nickel-metal hydride battery, you may see a sudden rise in the reported charging percentage from partially charged to fully charged.

If the computer is turned off and connected to an electrical outlet through the AC adapter, it takes the AC adapter about 1 hour to fully charge a lithium-ion battery that has been completely discharged, and 2.5 hours to fully charge a nickel-metal hydride battery. If the computer determines that the battery is near full capacity, the AC adapter skips the express-charging process and starts trickle-charging the battery. If the computer is on, it takes up to 2.5 hours to charge a fully discharged battery, depending on which devices you are using and which programs you are running. 

NOTE: You can leave the battery in the computer as long as you like. The battery's integrated circuitry prevents the battery from overcharging.

Detecting Battery Problems

A battery problem may prevent the battery from being charged to its full potential and can lead to unpredictable operation. To obtain a new battery, call Dell or access the Dell World Wide Web site at http://www.dell.com.

Dell suggests you follow these precautions when using the battery:

• To avoid installing a defective battery in your computer, first check the battery's charge, indicated by the battery charge-level indicators on the battery itself, by pressing the battery test button (see Figure 4).

NOTE: If the battery has a 0 (zero) percent charge, you cannot use the battery test button to check the battery's capacity. The battery gauge indicator will not light if the battery is completely drained.

• If, after you insert the battery into the computer, the computer's battery status indicator (see Figure 5) flashes alternately green and amber, the battery is too hot to charge. Turn off the computer, and let the battery and computer cool to room temperature.

• If, after you insert the battery into the computer, the computer's battery status indicator (see Figure 5) flashes amber for 4 seconds when you connect or disconnect the AC adapter or when you press the power button, you need to replace the battery.

• If, after you insert the battery into the computer, the computer's battery status indicator (see Figure 5) flashes rapidly amber, the battery is defective and needs to be replaced.

Battery Disposal

When your battery no longer holds a charge, call your local waste disposal agency or environmental agency for advice on disposal of the computer’s lithium-ion battery.

CAUTION: Do not puncture or incinerate the battery.

NOTES: This computer is supplied with a lithium-ion or a nickel-metal hydride battery, which is significantly less hazardous to the environment than the lithium metal technology used in some other batteries (such as watch batteries). Lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride batteries are longer lived than conventional batteries and do not require replacement as often. Do not dispose of these batteries along with common household waste. Contact local authorities for the location of a chemical waste collection program nearest you. To purchase a new battery, call Dell or access the Dell World Wide Web site at http://www.dell.com.

About Battery Power

You automatically conserve battery power each time you attach the computer to an electrical outlet. The battery is even being recharged when you use AC power. The battery's life expectancy is largely determined by the number of charges it receives, so use an electrical outlet to run the computer whenever possible.

You can customize power management by individually controlling the computer's power conservation features. These features reduce power consumption by monitoring application programs and computer devices for inactivity and slowing down or stopping some of the computer’s internal devices.

NOTES: When you use power conservation features, you often trade some of the performance of the computer for increased battery operating time. For example, if you turn off the hard-disk drive, you may experience a delay the next time the computer tries to access the hard-disk drive. Other power conservation features, such as standby mode, stop almost all system activity. They allow you to maximize power conservation when your work is interrupted.

Experiment with power conservation features to achieve the optimum power conservation for your work environment.

Turning the Computer On

To turn on the computer, press the power button.

NOTE: If your computer's operating system is "locked up"—that is, it does not respond to commands—press and hold down the power button for at least 5 seconds to turn it off.

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