Battery Power

Important Battery Tips

How to use the battery with minimal deterioration

The battery is a consumable and, as such, its performance will gradually deteriorate. This deterioration is accelerated under the following conditions.
  • When the battery is repeatedly charged
  • When the battery is used, charged or stored in a place with high temperature
To minimize deterioration of the battery and ensure a longer battery life, you must reduce the number of charges and ensure that the temperature inside the battery does not become too high. Bear in mind the following points.

Charge the battery in a temperature range of 10ºC to 30ºC {50ºF to 86ºF}

In places where the outside air temperature is high, the temperature inside the battery will also become high. Do not charge the battery inside a vehicle with all its windows closed and exposed to the hot sun or in other places where the temperature is high.
This computer’s battery will not be charged if its temperature is outside the allowable range. (At such a time, the battery indicator blinks orange.)

We recommend charging the battery no more than once per day

Recharging the battery after every small use raises the total number of battery charges and speeds battery deterioration.
To lower the total number of battery charges, we recommend recharging the battery no more than once per day or when the remaining charge drops to 10% or less.
With this computer, in order to reduce the number of charges, the battery will not be recharged immediately after it has been fully charged unless the remaining charge has fallen to less than 95%.

Charging the battery while the computer is powered off is recommended

If the computer’s power is on, the temperature inside the battery rises due to the effects of heat from the CPU and other components. We recommend that you only charge the battery when the computer is powered off.

Use the battery in the high temperature mode

High temperature mode is a function that prevents deterioration of the battery in high temperature environments or when using the fully charged battery pack for a long period of time.
When the high temperature mode is selected, the battery capacity is reduced, and therefore the battery operating time is shorter.
We recommend the high temperature mode setting when the computer is to be used under the following conditions:
  • When the computer is to be used in a vehicle
  • When the computer is to be used in a place with high temperature
  • When the computer is to be used for extended periods of time with the AC adaptor connected
  • When battery operation is not required for long hours (When the battery’s remaining capacity does not often drop to 40% or below in normal temperature mode)

How to use the computer to maximize the battery operation time

Leave the computer off when it is not in use

Decrease the internal LCD brightness by pressing «Fn» + «F1»

Pressing «Fn» + «F1» will lower the degree of brightness, thereby reducing the power consumption.

Before stepping away from your computer, press «Fn» + «F7» or «Fn» + «F10» to put your computer in the sleep*1 or hibernation mode

Pressing these key combinations will put your computer in the sleep*1 or hibernation mode, thereby lowering the power consumption.
*1 : Windows XP: standby


Click  or  in the notification area, and select a power plan that uses the power-saving function.

Click [start]*2 - [Control Panel] - [Performance and Maintenance] -[Power Options], and select the desired power-saving setting

If no power plan that uses the power-saving function is shown, click [More power options] and then click [Change plan settings] for the power plan you want to modify. Then change the power-saving settings.
*2 : Depending on the setting, [Start] may be displayed.

We recommend against using applications or screen saver that place a significant load on the CPU

Some screen savers place a large load on the CPU. When using these screen savers, a significant load is placed on the CPU even when the computer is not being used. We recommend that you do not use screen saver that will drain the CPU.

Remove peripheral devices (USB devices, PC Cards, external mouse, etc.) when not in use

When the computer is not going to be used for an extended period (a month or more)

In order to maintain the battery performance, remove the battery with a remaining charge of 30% to 40% from the computer, and store it in a cool, dark place

If the battery pack is kept installed in the computer, it will discharge gradually even when the computer’s power is off. If this condition continues for a long period (several months or more), the battery may overdischarge, causing its performance to deteriorate. In addition, this deterioration will accelerate if the battery pack is stored inside a vehicle with all its windows closed and exposed to the hot sun or in other places where the temperature is high. Store the battery pack where the temperature is within the range of 10ºC to 30ºC {50ºF to 86ºF}.

Things to keep in mind when using the battery pack

Bear in mind the following points when installing and removing the battery pack

  • Do not install or remove the battery pack while the computer is in the sleep/standby mode.
    Removal of the battery pack in this mode cause the data to be erased and cause the computer to malfunction.
  • Do not touch the terminals on the battery pack.
    If the terminals are dirty or damaged, the battery may not function properly or the computer may not operate properly.

Charging time and discharging time differs depending on the computer’s power status and temperature

  • It takes longer to fully charge the battery when the computer’s power is on. To charge the battery more quickly, power the computer off, or put it in the standby or the hibernation mode.
  • It takes longer to fully charge the battery in low temperature environments. The battery discharges more quickly in low temperature environments.

Battery Indicator

Battery indicator Battery status
Not lit The battery pack is not inserted or not being charged.
Orange Charging is in progress.
Green The battery is fully-charged.
Blinking green In High temperature mode, the battery pack is discharging the power to 80%*4 of the normal temperature mode. Do not remove the battery pack in this status.
Red The remaining battery is approximately 9% or less.
Blinking red The battery pack or the charging circuit is not operating properly.
Blinking orange The battery cannot be charged temporarily due to the following reasons:
  • Its internal temperature is out of the acceptable range.
  • The power supply is not enough because software applications or peripheral devices are consuming a large amount of power.
*4 : In high temperature mode, the 100% battery level is equivalent to 80% level of the normal temperature mode.
NOTE
- Once the battery is fully charged, the computer performs recharging only when the battery level becomes less than approximately 95%, so overcharging is avoided.
- When [LED] is set to [OFF] on the [Concealed Mode Configuration] menu, LED disappears.

Checking the Remaining Battery Charge

You can check the remaining battery charge on the screen.
(After logging on to Windows)
  1. Press «Fn» + «F9».
    • When the battery pack is inserted (example)
      : Normal temperature mode

      : High temperature mode
    • When the battery pack is not inserted
NOTE
- The battery display may not correspond to the actual remaining battery charge in the cases as below. To correct the display, perform the Battery Recalibration (refer toCorrecting the Battery Display (Battery Recalibration)).
  • The battery indicator remains red.
  • The indicator lights orange and the display shows 99% for a long time.
  • Low battery warning appears soon after a short time of use.
    This can occur when the computer is in sleep*5 for a long time without power supply from the AC adaptor.
- The battery display may not be the same as that of notification area*6. This is not a malfunction.
*5 : Windows XP: standby
*6 : Windows XP: Or of [Power Meter] in [Power Options Properties]

High temperature mode

The high temperature mode can prevent the battery from deteriorating when the computer is used in high-temperature environment or used for a long time with its battery fully charged.
Select [Auto] (default) or [High Temperature] in [Environment] of the [Main] menu of the Setup Utility.
NOTE
- Note that a level corresponding to a 100% charge for high temperature mode is approximately equivalent to an 80% charge level for normal temperature mode.
- After switching from [Normal Temperature] to [High Temperature] or vice versa, the remaining battery capacity will not be displayed correctly until the battery pack is completely discharged or fully charged.
- In the [Auto] mode:
Once the computer has automatically switched from the normal temperature mode to the high temperature mode, the computer will not switch back to the normal temperature mode until the battery has been used and recharged to a total charge level of about 5 times as much as that of the fully-charged state. This is to avoid battery deterioration.

Computer behavior with low battery

The default settings are as follows.
When the battery level becomes 10%
[Low battery alarm]		 When the battery level becomes 5%
[Critical battery alarm]
  • Displays a message that the battery level is low.
  • The computer enters hibernation.

  • Displays a message that the battery level is low, and then the computer enters hibernation.
↓ ↓
Charge the battery. Connect the AC adaptor or replace the battery to start up the computer.
  • Connect the AC adaptor immediately. If you do not have the AC adaptor, exit the running programs and Windows, then confirm that the power indicator is off.
  • If you have a fully charged spare battery, turn off the computer, replace the battery and turn the computer on again.
  • Connect the AC adaptor and charge the battery.
  • If you have a fully charged spare battery, turn off the computer, replace the battery and turn the computer on again.
    When the computer enters hibernation with the battery down and you resume the operation without charging the battery, the Windows Resume Loader starts up. Follow the on-screen instructions. After that, however, Windows may not start up normally, or the [Low battery level]/[Critical battery level] function may not work normally.
    When the computer enters hibernation with the battery down and you resume the operation without charging the battery, Windows may not start up normally or the alarm function may not operate normally from then on.

Correcting the Battery Display (Battery Recalibration)

The "Battery Recalibration" function measures and memorizes the battery capacity. To correct the battery display, use this function to fill the battery and then discharge it completely. Perform the procedure at least once immediately after purchasing the computer. Normally the interval of battery recalibration is 3 months. The battery display may not be correct when the battery pack deteriorates after a long time use. In this case, perform the procedure again.
  1. Connect the AC adaptor.
  2. Close all the applications.
  3. Perform "Battery Recalibration".
    1. Click (Start)*7 - [All Programs] - [Panasonic] - [Battery] - [Battery Recalibration].
    2. When the confirmation message appears, click [Start].
      • Frequent recalibration of the battery can degrade the battery. A caution message appears when the battery recalibration is performed at the shorter interval than approximately a month. In this case, cancel the battery recalibration.
    3. When the message requests shut down of Windows, click [Yes].
      The battery recalibration starts.
      After the battery pack is fully charged, discharging starts. When the discharging is completed, the power goes off automatically.
    After the battery recalibration is finished, normal charging starts.
*7 : Windows XP: [start]
NOTE
- The temperature range should be 10ºC to 30ºC {50ºF to 86ºF}.
- The battery recalibration may take a long time due to the large battery capacity. This is not a malfunction.
  • Full charge: Approximately 2 hours (with CF-VZSU71U)/1.5 hours (with CF-VZSU72U)
  • Complete discharge: Approximately 2 hours (with CF-VZSU71U), 1.5 hours (with CF-VZSU72U)
- If the computer is turned off during the battery recalibration (e.g., due to power failure, or accidental removal of the AC adaptor and battery pack), the battery recalibration will not be completed.
- You can also perform the battery recalibration with the following procedure.
  1. Restart the computer.
  2. Press and hold «F9» while the [Panasonic] boot screen is displayed just after the computer starts the startup procedure.
  3. When the remaining battery capacity is displayed, press «Enter».
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Replacing the Battery Pack

The battery pack is a consumable item so the replacement will be necessary. If the battery operation time becomes noticeably short and not recovered even after recalibrating the battery, replace with a new battery.
CAUTION
- The battery pack is not charged when you first purchase it. Be sure to charge it before using for the first time. Charging starts automatically when the AC adaptor is connected to the computer.
- Use only the specified battery pack with your computer.
- In sleep*8, do not remove/replace the battery pack. Otherwise your data will be lost and the computer may be damaged.
  1. Turn off the computer.
    • Do not use the sleep*8 function.
  2. Reverse the computer and remove the cover.
    1. Press and hold the mark part (A) and slide the cover to remove.
      <CF-53 Series>
      <CF-52 Series>
  3. Remove/Insert the battery pack.
    • To remove
      Slide and hold the latch (B), and pull the tab (C) of the battery pack.
      <CF-53 Series>
      <CF-52 Series>
    • To insert
      Insert the battery pack until it securely fits the connector.
      <CF-53 Series>
      <CF-52 Series>
  4. Slide the cover back.
    Push the cover until it clicks.
    <CF-53 Series>
    <CF-52 Series>
CAUTION
- Make sure the latch is securely locked, otherwise the battery pack may fall when you carry the computer.
- Do not remove the battery pack forcibly when the latch is locked. Doing so may damage the battery pack.
*8 : Windows XP: standby