[Trac #637] Battery won't charge

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#637: Battery won't charge
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 Reporter:  jg        |        Owner:  mfoster 
     Type:  defect    |       Status:  assigned
 Priority:  high      |    Milestone:  BTest-2 
Component:  hardware  |   Resolution:          
 Keywords:            |  
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Comment (by rsmith):

 Replying to [comment:1 mfoster]:

 the DC/DC converter from properly starting up, and the system could
 therefore not run at all.  You can verify that this is the case with your
 pack by starting up the machine on AC and then plugging in the pack while
 its running - the system should shut down as soon as the pack is
 installed.

 Mark

 Jg and I had a discussion trying to determine if Q2B11 would still charge
 the battery when its in this low condition.  So I did a test.  I ran a XO
 down to where it shutoff.  After that I removed the battery and hooked it
 up to a automotive tail light with a test jig I made.  I then ran the
 battery until its loaded voltage was .6 volts.  Letting the battery sit
 unloaded the voltage would rise back up to 4.5V but any load would pull it
 back down to < 1V.
 I then tested BIOS Firmware Q2A62, Q2A71 and Q2B11 with just the battery
 and with the battery while plugged up to AC power.

 A62, A71 Battery only:

 XO will try to boot (power LED comes on) but then either hang or just shut
 back down.

 A62, A71 Battery + AC:

 Yellow battery light would light up and the unit would start up normally.

 Q2B11 Battery only:

 Nothing. No light or any visible indication of activity.

 Q2B11 Battery + AC:

 Nothing. No light or any visible indication of activity.  I left the XO
 plugged up the the AC adapter overnight (7 hours or so) and next morning
 still zero activity.  Battery did not charge.

 Q2B11 Power up on AC only and then connect the battery.

 XO started up normally and then when battery was connected the yellow
 battery light came on.  Leaving the XO plugged up charged the battery as
 normal.

 I was unable to duplicate your condition where if you plug in a low
 battery it shuts down the system.

 Is the above the expected behavior for PQ2B11?

 I know you said the B2 will have a trickle charge but I'm just checking
 that a EC firmware change in PQB211 is not going to prevent the laptop
 from powering up in the low battery condition because it seem that earlier
 firmware does and PQ2B11 does not.

 Thanks.

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Ticket URL: <http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/637#comment:3>
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