Configuring MyBattery

MyBattery has the ability to learn and estimate the remaining battery life for different capacities of batteries.  For some models, like the PowerBook Duos, this can be important because there are currently three capacities of battery available.  The steps below will let you configure MyBattery to get the best possible estimates.

Multiple Batteries - PowerBook 500's

No special configuring is required for PowerBook 500's.

Multiple Batteries - Duos, 190, 5300 series

Duo & PowerBook 190/5300 batteries have a unique feature - each battery was assigned a unique serial number when it was manufactured.  MyBattery can read this serial number, and can automatically identify which battery is currently in use.

When you insert a battery, MyBattery will read the serial number.  If it has never seen the serial number before, it will add it to the list of recognized serial numbers - up to four can be recorded.  MyBattery will then store and make historical estimates for that particular battery.  If you have Autoswitch Batteries selected off the Battery menu, MyBattery will take care of this automatically.

Letting MyBattery learn your batteries

In order for MyBattery to learn what your battery serial numbers are, you must insert each of your batteries while MyBattery is running.  Follow these steps:

1)  Attach your AC adapter to your PowerBook, so you can swap batteries without shutting down your Duo.
2)  Make sure MyBattery is running.  If you want, configure the display (using the Editor) to display the serial number for the current battery.
3)  Take each Duo battery you own (up to four batteries), and insert each battery into your Duo.  Wait about 10 seconds, then remove the battery.
4)  From the Battery menu, choose Setup Batteries.  This will display the battery setup dialog box.  To the right of each text entry, a battery serial number should be displayed for each battery you inserted.
5)  Make sure that Autoswitch Batteries on the Battery menu is selected, so MyBattery will automatically switch batteries when you insert a new battery.
 
Multiple Batteries - PowerBook 100's, 1400, 2400, 3400, G3 series

On PowerBook 100's, MyBattery has no way of telling which battery is currently inserted - you must tell it.  However, in order for you to inform MyBattery, you must know which battery is in use yourself.

Preparing your batteries

Before you hit the road, you should label each battery.  I’ve found that Avery sticky labels work fine, or even masking tape.  Whatever you use should be thin and flat, so it won’t interfere with inserting or removing the battery.  You should place it somewhere on the battery where it will be easily visible when you remove the battery, and won’t cover the metal battery contacts.

When you swap batteries

When you are ready to swap batteries, follow this simple procedure.  It will ensure that MyBattery accurately updates the stored historical data for each battery.

1)  When you are ready to swap batteries, bring MyBattery to the foreground.  Select the new battery number from the MyBattery menu.  This will force MyBattery to update its historical information for the current battery, and begin recording historical estimates for the new battery.
2)  Shut your PowerBook down, and swap batteries.
3)  Wake your PowerBook up.
4  
That’s all!  MyBattery will now present you with estimates for the new battery, and store historical estimation data for the new battery.

The Battery Setup dialog

The Battery setup dialog is only accessible in registered copies.

Automatic battery switch setup

If you have enabled automatic battery switching, these popup menus are used to define which batteries to use.  The first menu choice allows you to select the battery to use when MyBattery detects that you are using the internal battery only.  The second menu choice allows you to select the battery to use when MyBattery detects that an external battery is attached.

Custom battery name setup

These text fields let you assign a custom name to each of the three batteries, to make it easier to remember them.  The names will appear in the Battery menu. 

PowerBook 100's and External Batteries

There are several companies manufacturing external battery products for the PowerBook 100 through 180c.  These external batteries attach through the AC adapter port of the PowerBook, and provide much longer running times.

Because these batteries attach to the AC adapter port, MyBattery must be specifically told that an external battery can be attached.  Otherwise, it will think the external battery is an AC adapter.  To perform this configuration, follow these steps:

1)  On the Battery menu, make sure "External Possible" is checked.  Otherwise, MyBattery will think that an external battery is an AC adapter.
2)  On the Battery menu, make sure Autoswitch Batteries is checked.  If MyBattery detects an external battery, it will switch to a different battery set, so that accurate estimates are recorded for your external battery.
3)  Bring up the Battery Setup dialog (shown above), and use the popup menus in the "External battery switch setup" box to configure one battery set for an internal battery alone, and a different set to use if an external battery will be used.

Whenever you attach an external battery, MyBattery will detect it