MyBattery can support up to three unique batteries. This allows you to use batteries with different capacities, and identify them to MyBattery, so it can make accurate estimates for each battery.
For example, a user might have two batteries - the standard battery provided by Apple with the PowerBook, and a third-party battery with a larger capacity. MyBattery can store and make unique estimates for each battery.
However, there is one small catch. There is no way for MyBattery to reliably identify which battery is attached. Therefore, whenever you swap batteries, you must inform MyBattery which battery you are currently using. This is performed by choosing the appropriate battery number off the Battery menu.
Preparing your batteries
Before you hit the road, you should label each battery. Iâve found that Avery sticky labels work fine, or even masking tape. Whatever you use should be thin and flat, so it wonât 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 wonât 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 Thatâs all! MyBattery will now present you with estimates for the new battery, and store historical estimation data for the new battery.
External batteries
MyBattery also provides support for external batteries that plug into the AC adapter port, like the Technöggin PowerPlates or the VST ThinPacK.
To make using these products with MyBattery as painless as possible, MyBattery is able to recognize your external battery, and switch the current battery automatically. This is configured through the Battery setup dialog, described below.
The Preferences Dialog
The preferences dialog is only accessible in registered copies.
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Menu bar displays
Lets you select the type of indicator displayed in the menu bar. You can select a display for either the left or right side of the menu bar. The left indicator will appear to the left of the Apple menu, while the right indicator appears to the right of the application menu.
Line plot display
Allows you to customize the line plot display.
Reset line plot when charger unplugged - Clears all line plot data whenever the battery charger is unplugged.
Display charging measurements - Displays any measurements taken while the charger was plugged in.
Display sleep period marker - Displays markers when the PowerBook went to sleep.
Charging Preferences
If you desire, MyBattery can hide its window when the battery is charging.
Battery status icon
Selects whether or not additional information should be displayed with the battery status icon, like current battery number and lightning "bolts" when the charger is plugged in.
Launch Preferences
Selects whether or not MyBattery should be launched in the background. This is especially handy when MyBattery automatically launches upon starting up your PowerBook, so that you don't manually have to place it in the background.
The Battery Setup dialog
The Battery setup dialog is only accessible in registered copies.
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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.