Battery Replacement for MacBook Air

[gizzzo]

The battery of my MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013) that I bought last 2013 has been draining fast that I felt the need to replace it. So I contacted a local Mac repair guy and he said he would be able to replace it with a brand new battery from what he claims to be the same manufacturer's.

I checked the battery specs and it seems legit. Manufacturer and Serial numbers seem to be ok. Cycle when I got this = 0.

Problem:

Accdg to specs a new MacBook Air 13-in mid 2013 should have 12 hours of battery life. That's at a rate of 100%/12 = 8.3% drain per hour. But when I measured my battery it's draining at a rate of 22%/hour!

Battery age, accdg to Battery Health App, is 2.2 years. On one hand this could be reasonable since it was manufactured 2.2 years ago but not used, hence cycle = 0.

Or did I get a lemon?

Thanks.

See specs below
Battery Information:
Serial Number: D8620920854DKRNAG
Manufacturer: SMP
Device Name: bq20z45
Pack Lot Code: 0
PCB Lot Code: 0
Firmware Version: 406
Hardware Revision: 000a
Cell Revision: 162
Charge Information:
Charge Remaining (mAh): 4138
Fully Charged: No
Charging: No
Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 6374
Health Information:
Cycle Count: 8
Condition: Normal
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): -971
Voltage (mV): 7765

Please note that cycle count = 8 because I have made 8 recharges since I got this replacement.

 

[tubeexperience]

batteries degrade even when they are not used

of cause, battery draining per hour depends on how the computer is being used.

 

[kiwipeso1]

Try using lower brightness on battery, along with contrast settings. (On the function keys.)
Additionally, your best battery usage is on battery just a few times a month.

 

[gizzzo]

batteries degrade even when they are not used

Thanks that make sense
[doublepost=1474972835][/doublepost]

battery draining per hour depends on how the computer is being used

Well I'm using it as specified in specs from apple website https://support.apple.com/kb/sp678?locale=en_US which says "Up to 12 hours wireless web"
[doublepost=1474972878][/doublepost]

your best battery usage is on battery just a few times a month.

Thanks but sorry what do you mean by this?

 

[Brian Y]

I'd say you got a lemon.

Battery capacity on 2012-15 13" Airs is 7150 mAh, yours is 11% less out of the box. Official batteries are rated to hold 80% after 1000 cycles.

Do you have a pentalobe screwdriver? If you post a photo of the battery we'll tell straight away.

Edit: googling the battery serial brought this up: https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/282472/Brand+New+Battery+install+problems

Either it's a cloned serial, or the repair place has bought "returned" batteries.

 

[kiwipeso1]

Thanks that make sense
[doublepost=1474972835][/doublepost]

Well I'm using it as specified in specs from apple website https://support.apple.com/kb/sp678?locale=en_US which says "Up to 12 hours wireless web"
[doublepost=1474972878][/doublepost]

Thanks but sorry what do you mean by this?

The recommended battery usage is on average a full battery drain, then recharge cycle once a week, with the rest of the time on charge. The least useful way of using your MBA is to run it constantly on charge, as the battery will die quicker.
The bad way to handle it is to let it partially drain, then charge back daily, as you will ruin your battery with lower capacity quicker.

 

[hellopupy]

I have a feeling you might've gotten a lemon.

I'm on 700 cycles already and even though I don't feel like I get as long as duration as when I first got it I think that might just be because I am so used to not having to charge it for a long time. I can watch videos in bed unplugged for hours while having at least 10 draining tabs opened on Safari.

3+ years and over 700 cycles and only down 712mAh? I'm no expert but I think thats pretty good.

 

[cbdilger]

Lemon. A battery which is not well cared for will degrade even faster — high temperatures are especially bad. Perhaps that happened to yours. My 2013 MBA 6,2 still has 6400 mAh after 450 cycles.