Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 4

Battery draining fast! HELP!!!

Lately, the batteries of my Visor Deluxe seem to run out too fast to be normal. I use the same type of batteries and the usage remains normal. But I keep getting battery low messages even if the battery indicator shows that there is still 48% power. Once, the day before I was still using it fine and the next day my Visor was dead. It only came alive after I changed the batteries but the whole thing is being reset and I have to restore the data.

It is worrying that I can't rely on the battery indicator anymore. I have no idea when it is going to die on me. I used to be able to turn on the Visor even if it is with 2-3% power.

Does anyone encounter similar problem or have an idea what is the problem? I'm happy with my Visor and I really hate to get a new PDA just because of this annoying problem.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Misplaced Canuck in Charleston SC
Posts: 257

no need to crosspost in multiple forums. you're cluttering things up.

first of all, search the forums on battery/batteries. you'll find lots of posts with lots of advice on what steps you can take to find the source of the problem.

have you checked the battery type settings? you don't say what type of batteries you're using. are you using alkalines? rechargables? is your battery type set to the same type of battery you're using? You can download and install BatteryPanel for a quick way to check and change your battery settings. it installs as a Preferences panel.

try doing a reset while the visor is sitting in the cradle. i've heard that might help reset the visor's battery indicator.

check your datebook for any entries or alarms that might be coming on without you knowing it. sometimes an alarm goes off, and keeps going off, keeping the visor from turning itself off.

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

My solution to a similar problem was to switch to Metal Halide type rechargeable batteries and a decent charger. I used 4 of the AAA NiMH batteries and swapped the two sets daily (NiMH tolerate this frequent recharging nicely!) I also kept a fresh set of AAA batteries in my travel kit for just in case. (You can use the 'dot 7' command to tell your Visor what kind of batteries you are using).

If you stick with alkalines, get a good value for your money. Consumer Reports often compares and rates batteries. Nearly all of the 'store brands' are made by one of the big names, and work great for lower prices. I believe Walgreens was one of the top choices in our area last time they did this.

Imabug is right- there is probably something going on you are not aware of. I had a case that put a tiny bit of pressure on the 4 function keys, and a little more pressure there turned the unit on without my knowing it- I bet it was on a good chunk of the time. I finally figured it out when I noticed how often I was opening the case and seeing the thing 'on'.

The alarms are a pet peeve- they wake the unit up, suck power, and are not loud enough to let you know it is happening!

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Do what you can, with what you have, where you are at!