Re: cache batteries

The shortage was an FAA problem. They suddenly declared that shipping LI-ION batteries by air was illegal due to several fires on aircraft shipping batteries. Oddly all were NiCad batteries but... The FAA didn't notify anyone that this rule was coming either so, shortage.

So when that happened all the suppliers (mostly in China) were forced to ship by boat. This of course fu-bared the supply lines and caused many shortages as the batteries were now weeks away instead of a day or two. That entire pipeline then had to be filled up. The pipeline is full now so the problem is solved pretty much.

I say 'pretty much' because vendors are also not allowed to ship LI-ION batteries in a charged state. This means that often when you get them installed they need to charge before the cache is available. THIS means you'll want to do this during VERY Low I/O load time periods or there will be performance pain.

On a side note you do know that it's Illegal to place a spare laptop or phone battery in your checked baggage? And if you bring a spare with you it must be in the factory packaging. (Now who really has that any more???)

If you've ever seen video of a Li-Ion battery exploding you'll understand why Batteries Plus et-al doesn't work with them. Most of the folks there would end up on a bad You-Tube channel.

- Larry "DrFranken" Bolhuis

www.frankeni.com
www.iDevCloud.com
www.iInTheCloud.com

On 9/4/2013 1:19 PM, rob@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

Also, about a year or two ago, cache batteries were as rare as hen's
teeth. IBM couldn't get them. Another reason not to wait until they go
failed. I am paying maintenance - therefore it's not my responsibility to
go to Batteries Plus (my wife's boss' parent's chain) and have them
construct one.


Rob Berendt