Extended Batteries for 3800- and 3900-series iPaqs

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.doipaq.com' target='_blank'>http://www.doipaq.com</a><br /><br /></div>These guys carry 2200mAh batteries for not only the 3600- and 3700-series iPaqs (which has been available for some time), but also now for the 3800- and 3900-series iPaqs, which until now were tougher to do because of those units' smart battery features.<br /><br />I hope <a href="http://www.pocketpctechs.com">Pocket PC Techs</a> eventually carries these. In any case, stay tuned; we might have a review in the near future.

[vincentsiaw]

yes this what i've been waiting for, at last a 2200 mah battery ! :lol:

[Gary Garland, Esq.]

I have't cracked open a 38XX or 39XX unit, but i say, "DON'T DO IT!" - I would check with the folk at www.linearlogix.com first. I had e-mail and phone discussions with them, and got some information. i don't remember if it was from those communications, or on their site - but regardless, they mentioned the 36XX was designed with just enough room inside for the standard battery to heat and expand in normal use, and using a higher capacity battery = thicker would potentially crack a circuit board. i don't know if the 38xx or 39xx have higher tolerances (probably not), so I'd say, if you want the extra juice, buy a sleeve with a battery and play it safe. :onfire:

[bdegroodt]

Interesting. I thought these were going to be strap on batteries, until I looked at the site showing how to take apart your machine.

They claim 6 hours of life. What's the Compaq claim for their OEM battery?

[bdeli]

They claim 6 hours of life. What's the Compaq claim for their OEM battery?

This is what Compaq claims on the specs for the 38xx: "Rechargeable battery that gives up to 14 hours of battery life" - source: http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/10977_ca/10977_ca.html

As for the 2200mah battery, I wonder why Compaq and other PPC companies do not include these as standard...seems like space is not the ussue!

[bdegroodt]

This is what Compaq claims on the specs for the 38xx: "Rechargeable battery that gives up to 14 hours of battery life" - source: http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/10977_ca/10977_ca.html

OK. Now I'm confused. Why is Compaq claiming 14 hours of a supposedly inferior battery compared to this 2200 thing? Am I missing something?

[Jason Dunn]

As for the 2200mah battery, I wonder why Compaq and other PPC companies do not include these as standard...seems like space is not the ussue!

Price.

The OEMs, when looking at a long list of parts they can put in the unit, have to balance what they estimate are the needs of "most" users vs. the end cost of the unit.

[Gary Garland, Esq.]

[quote=bdeli]

This is what Compaq claims on the specs for the 38xx: "Rechargeable battery that gives up to 14 hours of battery life" - source: http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/10977_ca/10977_ca.html

Sure, you get 14 hours of use - if you keep it plugged in for 12 of em! :twisted:

[Sanjay Srikonda]

I bet you have to ask them pretty hard to get them to tell you what brightness the 14 hours is meant to represent.

I can get about 3.5 with my Ipaq 3850 if I run it at really low brightness.

well, if pocketpctechs start offering this 3800 replacement, I"m going for it, I have been waiting a long time for this, maybe this will make my Ipaq 3850 worth keeping for a while longer

[bdeli]

Sure, you get 14 hours of use - if you keep it plugged in for 12 of em! :twisted:

Like this one! :lol:

[Janak Parekh]

they mentioned the 36XX was designed with just enough room inside for the standard battery to heat and expand in normal use, and using a higher capacity battery = thicker would potentially crack a circuit board.
Not sure if this is really the case. Pocket PC Techs sells the expanded battery, and they did a lot of testing (months) beforehand. People have been very happy with the results.

In any case, that's why I'm waiting for them to offer it. ;) Although, admittedly, I definitely get better than 3.5 hours right now on my 3870... and with my CF+ sleeve I don't really need it.

--janak

[R K]

Though the iPAQ H3800 and H3900 series iPAQ's have the same battery, the iPAQ H3900 is able to get about 7-8 hours (on lowest backlight setting) of use because of the transreflective screen.
Since the iPAQ H3800/H3900 has a 1400mAH battery, I'd say a 2200mAH battery should last about 12 to 14 hours on an iPAQ H3900 with the backlight on the same setting. The iPAQ H3800 will probably last about 6 - 7 hours as advertised for the battery.
As a side note, the iPAQ H3800/H3900 does last about 14 hours as the specs say they do, with the backlight off of course. :)

I'm actually waiting for any after-market batteries for the iPAQ H5450.
The HP branded extended batteries will disable any sleeves so they're not the greatest option for it. A good 2000mAH battery that fits in the same space as the original battery would be great. Actually, people should already be seeing the great potential that an after-market H5400 battery should have since it's user replaceable.

[Duncan]

A battery extender from www.data-nation.com - with 4 AA 2000mAh rechargeable batteries and a 2 foot lead - cheap, reliable and the iPAQ lasts 5 - 6 times longer. Why bother with bulky plus sleeves or extended batteries that prevent you using your sleeves or invalidating your warranty with a miniscule power upgrade? :?

[Janak Parekh]

Why bother with bulky plus sleeves or extended batteries that prevent you using your sleeves or invalidating your warranty with a miniscule power upgrade? :?
Well, my 3870's warranty is set to expire any day now. After that, when the battery starts failing, this would be an ideal upgrade. :)

--janak

[Duncan]

I suppose I was thinking purely in terms of battery upgrading needs rather than necessary replacement of a dead or dying battery. I don't think I've ever held on to a Pocket PC long enough to worry about that! Though I can see my Loox being a 'keeper' - so a new battery may well be needed for that one day!

[Janak Parekh]

I don't think I've ever held on to a Pocket PC long enough to worry about that!
I don't usually hold them for too long, either, but I do ultimately hand my Pocket PCs down to family members. :)

--janak

[vincentsiaw]

Well, my 3870's warranty is set to expire any day now. After that, when the battery starts failing, this would be an ideal upgrade. :)

--janak

hey ever thinkin of changing to original 1400 mAh battery, it's cheap, cost just $64 and you can change it yourself!

[dlauri]

Maybe I'm not a typical user but the battery in my iPaq 3955 is fine for me, especially compared to my old 3650. I'm a college student and I use my iPaq to take notes (using a Stowaway keyboard). I'm also a TA and I use my iPaq to take attendance. I'm minoring in German and use my iPaq to listen to MP3's of language files ripped from the CD's accompanying the textbooks. Our campus (www.wright.edu) has wireless so I sometimes log on to check e-mail or a web site, although I don't do that often.

My iPaq's not on continuously from 8 to 5, but I use it throughout the day. It's still got plenty of charge when I get home each night. When I was using a 3650, that wasn't the case. Then I had to bring my AC adapter to school to charge up in the afternoon (sometimes sitting near an outlet in class!). With the 3955 power's not a problem.