Understanding Nominal Voltage for MacBook A2338 Battery Testing
Hello everyone,
Recently, I acquired a MacBook A2338 that has a malfunctioning logic board, and I’m eager to determine whether the battery is still functional. To do this, I’ve taken some voltage measurements directly from the battery terminals.
Upon checking the terminals, I observed a voltage reading of 2.7 volts when nothing is connected. This seems unusually low for what is typically expected of a battery that should hover around 12 volts. It has left me wondering: could there be a possibility that the logic board is responsible for some form of voltage enhancement?
For clarity, I’ve indicated the specific pads from which I’m taking my measurements, as I seek insight into this issue.
If anyone has experience or knowledge about the nominal voltage of the MacBook A2338 battery in a standalone state, your feedback would be immensely valuable. I appreciate any guidance or insight you can offer. Thank you!
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Hello,
Based on your description and your measurement of approximately 2.7 volts at the battery terminals when disconnected from the logic board, it is likely that the battery is in a depleted or degraded state. The nominal voltage for a MacBook A2338 battery (which uses a lithium-polymer chemistry) is typically around 11.4V to 11.4V – 12.0V when fully charged. When fully discharged, the voltage usually drops to about 3.0V or just below, but it should not be significantly below this if the battery is healthy.
The low reading you observed could indicate that the battery has lost capacity or is potentially faulty. The fact that you’re measuring such a low voltage suggests the battery may need replacing or further testing with a proper battery tester. Additionally, keep in mind that individual cells within a battery pack can sometimes fail, resulting in uneven voltages. To get precise diagnostics, consider testing each cell individually with a multimeter if possible.
Also, note that the logic board itself doesn’t significantly influence the battery voltage at the terminals unless a power management issue is affecting the reading. It might be worth trying to recharge the battery in a safe environment or perform a full discharge-recharge cycle if the battery is still somewhat functional.
If you have access to a dedicated battery tester or a compatible charging/science tool, that would offer more accurate insights.