X200s not charging in ultrabase

[booysen]

Hi all,
I’m really enjoying my “resurrected” X200s – ideal for my on-the-road reading, typing (loving this keyboard!) and browsing. It runs nice and cool. The screen is not great though: dull and has a small crack, I’m planning on getting a new replacement panel soon.

But now I’m having trouble with the X200 ultrabase: the battery won’t charge when it’s docked!
I had this issue once before, but turned out the replacement battery (GreenCell) was not properly locked in – after I moved the slider to “lock”, it worked fine. I haven’t used the ultrabase since, but now that I’m bit more settled in, I thought it would be nice not to have to plug/unplug the computer.

So, I recently docked the X200s (while in sleep mode, with lid closed - that what the manual call "warm" docking, right?): all when well and I worked on it for several hours, setting the charge threshold to around 50%. Then I left the computer docked, assuming it would just go to sleep and all would be fine.
But when I returned, I found the computer had switched off – I pressed the power on button, and a critically low battery level notice came up.
So, it seems after it went to sleep, the battery stopped charging (not the usual behaviour) …

I took the computer out of the dock, plugged it directly, and the battery charged normally. Now, when I dock it, the computer recognizes the dock (shows “undock” option in start menu, can even switch it on using the dock “on” button), but it still doesn’t charge while docked. The docking station also doesn’t charge the loose battery. I took out the battery, inspected the connectors, but nothing looks strange or bent… the battery is fine; I still get around 3 hours on it.

Any ideas?

[RealBlackStuff]

Check the connectors on both laptop and dock for dirt or corrosion.
While off and without charger, try putting the laptop on and off the dock a few times.

[booysen]

Thanks RBS,
I've checked the connectors and didn't see anything obviously strange - will inspect them under a magnifying glass.
But I'm definitely going to give that docking/undocking trick a try first!

[dr_st]

Just in case - disable (at least temporary) all the custom charge thresholds. They sometimes confuse the EC when switching between different configurations.

[booysen]

I've checked the connector pins on the ultrabase (don't see any bent or corroded, except for the shiny plates on either side of the protruding connector, which show some wear - should it try to clean these with an isopropanol wipe?) and tried the docking/undocking while off, but no luck so far...

@dr_st: I'm using the Thinkpad Power Manager (ver 3.45), with the Energy Saver power plan. Under the "Battery" tab, "Battery Maintenance", there are three charge threshold options: 1) Always fully charge; 2) Optimize for battery lifespan; 3) Custom (which I normally use).
So, do I simply select option 1), or should I somehow disable the power manager altogether?

[dr_st]

I'm using the Thinkpad Power Manager (ver 3.45), with the Energy Saver power plan. Under the "Battery" tab, "Battery Maintenance", there are three charge threshold options: 1) Always fully charge; 2) Optimize for battery lifespan; 3) Custom (which I normally use).

I meant to try option (1).

[booysen]

Thanks dr_st,
I'm on the road again with the X200s and left the ultrabase home,
but I'll try it when back and report results here!

[booysen]

Just thought I'd wrap this post up: turns out the ultrabase is probably defective.
I recently picked up another used ultrabase off eBay - this one has a nifty HDD/SSD caddy instead of DVD drive - and it's working perfectly!

Another question:
Does anyone know of a manufacturer/source for X200(s) 4-cell batteries (type 47)?
Or refreshed an old one with new cells?