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Power Sources: Dell™ Inspiron™ 7500

	AC Adapter		Charging the Battery
	Battery		Removing and Installing a Second Battery
	Removing and Installing the Main Battery		Checking a Battery’s Charge Level

AC Adapter

The AC adapter kit (see Figure 1) includes the AC adapter and an AC power cable.

Figure 1. AC Adapter Kit

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

Battery

The computer supports up to two lithium ion batteries simultaneously. The main battery is a standard feature and is used in the MegaBay™; an optional second battery can be installed in the media bay.

Either battery can power the computer by itself. When two batteries are installed, the computer draws power from both of them serially. The lithium ion battery has a life span of up to 400 full charges when it is charged at normal room temperature.

A number of factors affect battery operating time:

• The power conservation features used
  
  
• The number and type of PC Cards used
  
  
• The kinds of application programs run
  
  
• The capacity of the optional memory modules installed (the higher the capacity, the more power used)
  
  
• The use of a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, which uses more power than a hard-disk drive or a diskette drive

See also "Power Conservation."

Removing and Installing the Main Battery

1. Save any files you have open.
   
   
2. Shut down the computer.
   
   
3. Close the display and turn the computer over.
   
   
4. Remove the main battery (see Figure 2).
   
   Press the latch lock toward the back of the computer and slide the latch release away from the battery. Hold the latch release with one hand and pull the battery out of the MegaBay.
   
   

   Figure 2. Battery Removal
   
   

   1	Latch lock (unlocked position)
   2	Battery
   3	Latch release

   
   
5. Install the new battery.
   
   Make sure the bezel on the battery is in the correct position by sliding it into place. Slide the new battery into the MegaBay until you hear it click into place. Move the latch lock back to the locked position.
   
   
6. Turn on the computer.

Removing and Installing a Second Battery

1. Save any open files.
   
   
2. Shut down the computer.
   
   
3. Close the display and turn the computer over.
   
   
4. Remove the combo module.
   
   Push the latch lock toward the back of the computer, and slide the latch release away from the media bay. Hold the latch release with one hand and pull the device out of the bay.
   
   
5. Install a second battery.
   
   Make sure the bezel on the battery is in the correct position by sliding it into place. Slide the second battery into the media bay. Move the latch lock back to the locked position.
   
   
6. Turn on the computer.

Charging the Battery

Each time you connect the computer to AC power or install a battery in a computer that is connected to AC power, the computer checks the battery's charge and temperature. The AC adapter charges the battery (if necessary) and maintains the battery's charge.

The AC adapter needs from 2 to 3.5 hours (depending on whether the system is on or off) to fully charge a battery that has been completely discharged. If two batteries are installed in the computer, the AC adapter charges the main battery first, then the second battery. (The second battery is discharged first.)

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

For maximum battery performance, charge the battery only at normal room temperature. To charge the battery, perform the following steps:

1. Connect the computer to the AC adapter.
   
   
2. Install the main battery and/or a second battery in the computer.
   
   The battery starts charging immediately. The battery light-emitting diode (LED) on the front of the computer appears as a solid green light while the battery is charging. If you remove a battery from the computer while the battery is charging, the indicator lights on the battery will stay lit for a few minutes.

Checking a Battery's Charge Level

If you are using the Microsoft® Windows® 98 operating system, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click the Power Management icon to open the Power Management Properties window. For more information, check the documentation that came with your operating system.

You can also use the power meter, the charge gauge, and the low-battery warning for information about the status of the battery's charge.

Power Meter

The Windows 98 power meter displays a battery icon that indicates the amount of battery charge remaining. If an AC adapter is connected to the computer, the power meter displays a plug icon. The power meter icons are visible in the taskbar at the bottom of the desktop.

To access the power meter, place the cursor over the battery or plug icon.

Alternatively, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click the Power Management icon to open the Power Management Properties window.

For more information about the power meter, see your Windows 98 documentation.

Charge Gauge

The battery has a charge gauge with five charge-level indicator lights (see Figures 3 and 4) that show how much battery charge remains. Check the battery charge level before you insert the battery into your computer. Press the status button to the right of the lights to check the charge level. Each light represents approximately 20 percent of the total battery charge. For example, if the battery has 80 percent of its charge remaining, four of the lights are on. If none of the lights are on, the battery has no charge left. After you insert the battery, you cannot see the charge gauge.

NOTICE: If only one or none of the charge-level indicator lights are lit, the battery's charge is critically low. Do not use the battery unless the computer is connected to an electrical outlet or unless you install a second charged battery.

Figure 3. Charge-Level Indicator Lights

Figure 4. Close-Up of Charge-Level Indicator Lights

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