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-- Users experience using NIMH batteries? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=1784)

Hello all. I just ordered 14 nimh batteries.
I use a lot of batteries

I did not order a charger. I have a charger at home that charges regular off the shelf alkaline (also has a nicad switch) and it works okay. I ordered these, as they probably will work better (with no memory problems) than those.

What I wanted to know is will my charger charge the nimh's? I know it cannot in the nicad mode, however can it using the alkaline mode? Anyone do this? I don't want to buy another charger unless I have to.

Also how are your experiences with these nimh batteries so far?

Opinions?

[This message has been edited by Babylon5 (edited 12-01-1999).]

[This message has been edited by Babylon5 (edited 12-01-1999).]

Just bought four sets: Two for my Palm Pro w/pager card (G/F is currently using it) and two for my Visor... Will let you know about battery life.. I think 14 sets for one Visor will be overkill but...

As to the charger... Hmmm... I bought a Rayovac wall charger as well... It says it that it supports Nickle metal Hydride rechargables.... Dunno if an older one will or not... Guess you'll find out tho

Chris

While wandering the ether I came across this excellent battery FAQ. Although written with digital cameras in mind, it is 100% applicable to Visor users (and anyone else that uses batteries). It is well written, and explains the different types of batteries - Alkaline, Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel-MetalHydride (NiMH), and Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) - their strengths and their weaknesses.

If you have any questions about batteries, follow this link: http://www.olfe.demon.nl/minolta/ and choose "battery FAQ" from the sidebar menu.

Dave

I've used NiMH batts on my Palm for about a year without any problems, with each set starting at 2.85v (the pda has a voltage/current converter) lasting about 12-14 days before reaching around 2.35-2.37v depending on usage. I chose that voltage to change and recharge batts because I notice that the voltage drops more rapidly somewhere around that number.

The AAA NiMH batts that I use spec at 1.2v at 550mAH so I've been succesfully using a Dynacharge NiCad batt charger that delivers 2.9v at 100mA for about what I figure should be approx 6-7 hrs per pair, to take into account the internal losses due to heat and power conversion inefficiency. For the charger specs, just take a look at the back of the charger itself. NiMH batts should not be overcharged because they are more heat-labile/sensitive than NiCads; so an alkaline recharger, for example, should not be used because it delivers about 2v *PER* batt at 200mA!! You can use it but it is not advisable, because that will definitely overheat and shorten the lifespan of NiMH batts.

BTW, Babylon5, your 7 pairs of NiMH batts will last you: 7pairs x 14days/pair x 1000recharge cycles/pair = 98000days or 268years!!!

[This message has been edited by visordoc (edited 12-02-1999).]

Hey Ronin,

And I thought I was the only guy to ever buy the pager card. I went through 3 cards before i figured out my "slim" case was touching the screen. As you know, when a page comes in the pilot goes on and guess what.....business cards touching the screen make it stay on!!!#$&8*** (cursing). It took me forever to troubleshoot and tons of batteries. Even went to the ecohack site that would slow your unit down to conserve power. Anyway.....I bought 6 NiMh from radio shack plus there charger (chgr cost about $20 bucks). Works great lasts about 2 1/2 weeks with the pager card. I plan to use them in my vdeluxe as soon as it comes. Nice to know that other pager card people exist. [email protected]

Hehehe... Ya, I figured the pager card thing out for myself about 4 months after I got it: the case I carry my Visor in (and before, my palm pro) is a three fold design with slots for credit cards, a check book, drivers licence, etc... Fortunately, I work for a company that uses AAA's a lot and am able to *aquire* a set now and again...

I turned it off a while back tho... but the funny thing is that it still gets Info Pages...

oh well it IS nice to know I wasn't the only one who upgraded a Palm to OS3 via the pager card route

Chris

I've also heard that having the IR port turned on when you don't need it will also dramatically increase battery drain.