Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 6

Hullo.


This is odd.

I've been reading around and i've been seeing people claim to get 2-3 weeks + with their decent quality alkaline AAAs....


I get days.

Literally.

All ive got installled is a Ministrel modem on my VDX. [yes, on my VDX]

Rarely use backlight.

I put in two fresh from radioshack .... on Sunday.

Its Wedensday, they show more than 70% drained.

2.4V showing..


even my NiMH do the same thing... in fact, my rechargable brandnew NiMH died totally... it was out in the cold, maybe that did it... but it drained so much that I couldn't boot, had to replace it with new batteries.


so, am i jinxed?


also, ps. how do I get one of the new VDXs that are wireless savvy 'i.e. better RF stats'

thanks so much

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Midwest
Posts: 232

Modules can, even if they have their own batteries, draw power from the visor. To send a signal between the two requires current. Most modules that have their own batteries use them for their specific features, but depend on the visor and it's batteries to maintain the signal(s) via the springboard slot.

So take your module out when not using it, and see if the batteries last any longer.

Almost all batteries will be affected by cold. That's why 90% of all car batteries are sold in the winter months.

NiMH start out with less power than alkalines, so don't expect as much life from a set. Personally, I use rechargeable alkalines.

2-3 weeks is easy if all you do is check your datebook once or twice a day. Use the Visor more, and it's battery time will pass more quickly. I think the meter should reflect "hours of use remaining", instead of a graphic percent. To talk about "days" or "weeks" is meaningless if the amount you use your visor each day varies.

Hope that helps.

Dave

__________________
There is nothing yet made by man that cannot be improved upon.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 2

Try using the Runtime application (freeware) which gives a graph of battery usage. It is very revealing.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 16

Battery Drain

My batteries were draining in 12 hours.
Before I got a replacement, tech support suggested that screen covers I was using can drain batteries by applying a constant pressure on the screen. I'm not so sure about that.
I think it was an app. -Vindigo, Avantgo, or OmniRemote because as soon as I installed them on my replacement, I could watch the battery indicator go down. 1/2 power in 6 hrs!
I removed them and my Handspring batteries have been lasting 2-3 weeks ever since.
I still haven't put a screen protector on it though - and I miss it.
SciJohn