08-06-2003, 11:00 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
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Another Portable Power Alternative
Is there anybody out there who hasn't at least once run out of battery power for their Pocket PC just when it was needed most? Or realized only too late that your mobile phone doesn't even have enough juice left to order that all-important Saturday night pizza? Here's a nifty little gizmo from Semsons and Co. that might be just the answer to those problems.
The battery extender features:
� Retractable DC jack that fits iPAQ 3100/3600/3700 and 3800/3900 (fits with connector that comes with iPAQ 3800/3900), Cassiopeia E200/EM500/E125, Toshiba E310/E550/E570/E740, Audiovox Maestro, Sharp Zaurus
� Holds 4 X AA NiMh / NiCd rechargable batteries or Alkaline Batteries
� USB output allows for use with Palm PDAs, cellular phones and other electronics via USB charging cable
� ON/OFF switch to prevent power leakage when not in use
� LED Status light
� Removable belt clip
So, if you've got a Pocket PC or other device that will accept the DC jack, this should work just fine. But it also looks as though this would work with any USB charging cord for any other models and devices.
I've got a homemade battery extender that holds four AA batteries and I use it a lot when I travel. It's not nearly as versatile as this thing, though, so I just might have to order one right away. It's a little pricey at $19.99, but if it'll work with all my toys, I'll give it a go.
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08-06-2003, 12:56 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,264
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I got mine in the mail last week and for the most part, it works as advertised. I watched a 2 hour movie on my Dell and the internal battery was at 70% when I started and still at 70% when I finished. One GOTCHA though from my usage. Keep an eye on the charging indicator on your PPC. Once the batteries in the booster start to get worn down and your PPCs charging indicator no longer lights, you need to disconnect it. For some reason, it seems to drain the internal battery quicker when it is still connected.
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08-06-2003, 01:01 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 82
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Does anyone know approx. how much time this will extend your battery??
I have a Casio E-200 ( I know it's a dinosaur) and battery life is terrible.
If this device extends the battery life enough, I'd purchase it!
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08-06-2003, 01:31 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 41
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I would think there is a diode or something that would prevent backcharge. (Either in the Ipaq or the battery pack??)
Could it be that this thing is sucking your batteries dry in your Ipaq when it's own power source is dead?
Also, what's up with no 5400/5500 support?
Fred
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Goldkey
I got mine in the mail last week and for the most part, it works as advertised. I watched a 2 hour movie on my Dell and the internal battery was at 70% when I started and still at 70% when I finished. One GOTCHA though from my usage. Keep an eye on the charging indicator on your PPC. Once the batteries in the booster start to get worn down and your PPCs charging indicator no longer lights, you need to disconnect it. For some reason, it seems to drain the internal battery quicker when it is still connected.
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08-06-2003, 01:38 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,264
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I played with it some more this morning and have a hypothesis. On my Dell, the % battery remaining seems to adjust dynamically based on what is plugged in as a peripheral. For example, if I plug a PCMCIA HD in and start running it, the battery % will drop quickly. If I unplug it, it will go back up some. The same thing happens with this. I wonder if the connection being active through the USB cable causes it to change. When I shut off the battery, the % does start going back up.
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08-06-2003, 01:40 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,264
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by casioman
Does anyone know approx. how much time this will extend your battery??
I have a Casio E-200 ( I know it's a dinosaur) and battery life is terrible.
If this device extends the battery life enough, I'd purchase it!
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I read somewhere that it is 2 to 3 times, but I am sure this will depend on your battery. Since the Dell has a pretty beefy battery to start with, I would not expect a 2 to 3 times increase. But from my initial testing it appears to at least double it. I am in the process of doing some comparison tests running movies at different settings with and without the battery. Hope to finish them up this week and will post some results.
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08-06-2003, 03:17 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 209
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Also, what's up with no 5400/5500 support?
This charger has an USB port, you can use the USB Sync&Charge for iPaq.. 
I have used this device in my last trip to Europe and this is what I found:
The device is actually bigger than shown in the picture. The batteries are loaded vertically in 2 rows, and there is an extra electronic inside, which make the total height with about 3 lengths of an AA battery. While It is versatile with the USB power output combined with the regular power tip, what is missing on this device is the capability to charge the batteries once used up, so you 'd need to carry another expensive and heavy (multi-voltage, if oversees travel) battery charger.. :-(
The best charger for PDA is this one: http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...Fid=273%2D1900
This is a smaller multi-voltage battery charger with a convenient foldable power plug in the back. when "off-line" or "un-plugged" , it will charge your PDA or other devices (e.g. Cell phone) with also-multi votage in output. Expensive ($40) but worth it.
For this usage, please use the rechargeable Nikel-Metal Hydride AA battery (1600mAh/2600mAh). These are good for a couple of full charges of my Toshiba e750.
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08-06-2003, 07:12 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 267
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Will this work on my new baby, the 2210 :?:
I Already have an extra battery thanks to student pricing but my new $30 Dlink CF wifi card eats 'em up 
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08-06-2003, 08:04 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 340
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I have had this model for two months now. It does as advertised, but be sure you know the voltage level you Pocket PC uses. If you use 4 AA batteries, the voltage is roughly 6volts (4x1.5). most Pocket PCs are around 5volts.
To safely use this model, you need 4 ni-cad rechargeables (4x1.2) to come in under 5volts.
Otherwise, it has worked out okay.
Steve 8)
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08-06-2003, 09:55 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 307
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Does anyone know whether this works with the Audiovox Thera?
I don't have one myself (and frankly wouldn't want one), but that's currently the likely platform for a Compact Framework web service client we've written to enable our scientists to get information on lahar movements on our friendly neighbourhood volcano when they're out and about (we don't have too many choices regarding connected Pocket PCs here).
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Linear Mode
