Humble pie

I had to eat a large slice of humble pie today when UPS delivered the replacement laptop battery to Keith & Jo (nb Hadar) just after 9am.  I was able to trace the delivery on the UPS website and it was in Gateshead early Sunday morning.  By Sunday afternoon it was in Preston and then in Tamworth when I looked at 8am this morning.  The delivery was much faster than I’d anticipated and I’m also very grateful to Keith & Jo for allowing me to use their address. 

The battery installation instructions stated the battery would only be 30% charged due to international regulations on the transport of Li-on batteries.  The battery contains a miniature circuit board which is supposed to “learn” when it’s fully charged.

I laid a hand towel on the galley bench and set out the tools I would need to replace the battery.

I needed a small cross tip screwdriver and a plastic card.  Don’t use a credit/debit card because it might be damaged during the process.

The new battery rated at 44 Watt hours.

The first step is to remove all the screws from the base.  Then use the plastic card to”pop” the clips holding the base to the body.

It’s then a case of removing the old battery and replacing it with the new one before reassembling the laptop.

The laptop has to be placed on charge until the battery is full.  It will need to go through at least three full cycles before the memory recognises it’s true state of charge. 

Today wasn’t all about the laptop.  We went into the Saltisford Arm for a replacement calor gas bottle and a pump-out.  It’s a month since we last pumped out at Hawne Basin and the tank gauge was on quarter full.   At this time of year we think it’s a good idea to have a large reserve in the tank just in case we get frozen in.  On the move again tomorrow!