Registered: Jan 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 54

Does anyone know what Handspring is now shipping as the "Travel Charger"? I've seen references here that call it a "USB Travel Charger" but Handspring does not state whether the charger can also hotsync. Can it?
Does the travel charger work with foreign voltages (240V)?
Any Help is highly appreciated!

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Travel Charger

You cannot use the travel charger to hotsync. You can only use it to charge. The charger will work within a range of 100 - 240V.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 54

Thanks, Yardie! Seems almost a waste then to spend $35.- on it if $50 will buy you a second cradle WITH charger... and maybe remove the connector from the cradle to make it more portable...

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 54

I think I have found my "ideal" travel charger....
I bought a $20.- USB hotsync cable and added a connector to it that allows me to plug in the Prism's original power supply (which even works from 110 to 240V AC). That way I can hotsync AND recharge while on the road. If there is enough interest, I'll be glad to popst detailed instructions. Let me know.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Here
Posts: 213

Please post your details, this sounds ideal. I didn't think that the USB cable would have the wires included that interfaced to the charging pins on the Visor.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 23

quote:

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Originally posted by nightingales
Thanks, Yardie! Seems almost a waste then to spend $35.- on it if $50 will buy you a second cradle WITH charger... and maybe remove the connector from the cradle to make it more portable...

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 16

"ideal" travel charger

Yes, I second the request for the details on how to set up a USB cable to also charge.

Jo

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 54

OK, I will post them soon. Note that it involves a soldering iron and -GASP- cutting the original charger's cable. I will take a few pics (lets see what this eyemodule is good for) and look for some webspace somewhere to post them to make it clear.
Basically, you open the connector that attaches to the Prism, solder two wires on pins 4 and 7 and then attach a DC connector to those wires. If you plug your DC charger into this connector, you will charge the Prism.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 54

quote:

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Originally posted by Clovis
... My only question to those who need the USB sync. cable is, why can't you just do an IR sync? This would reduce the need for another cable. I'm assuming since you're traveling you own a laptop and most laptops have IR ports.

I IR sync. all the time with no problems. Please describe your unique situation.

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This is so embarassing I almost wouldnt have answered
I'm so used to my old Palm still (that didn't have an IR port) that the thought of using IR to sync never crossed my mind.
Thanks for the tip, Clovis!
Of course, my version (see other posts) still works and is slightly cheaper than the travel charger, but it requires some work.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

IR maybe ok for quick beaming of an app or a business card, but IR in general leaves a lot to be desired, it's slow, often unreliable and very finicky. I wouldn't want to (worst case) have to IR beam 8mb worth of data to/from my Prism via IR..,

I would also like the directions for hacking the USB cable..

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 20

Query -- Can you go into further detail...

quote:

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Originally posted by Clovis

quote:

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Originally posted by nightingales
Thanks, Yardie! Seems almost a waste then to spend $35.- on it if $50 will buy you a second cradle WITH charger... and maybe remove the connector from the cradle to make it more portable...

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I own the travel charger and I'm happy with it. My only question to those who need the USB sync. cable is, why can't you just do an IR sync? This would reduce the need for another cable. I'm assuming since you're traveling you own a laptop and most laptops have IR ports.

I IR sync. all the time with no problems. Please describe your unique situation.

Thanks.

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__________________
Just because something makes sense does not make it common sense.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 54

Self-made Travel Charger

OK, here is the promised instructions on how to build your own PRISM travel charger. You need to buy Handspring's USB hotsync cable for this - $20.-. When you're finished, you can USB-hotsync AND charge with the setup (for about $25.-).
Refer to the attached photo:

1.This is the USB connector of the original Prism cradle. It has a little DC connector plugged into it that comes from the original DC power supply.
2. Shows this connector. I believe it is a 1.1/3.5 mm connector that is hard to get, so I choose this route. If you can get the matching jack for this connector, everything would be even easier. Note that + is the inner contact.
We now cut the DC cable (yuck!) to insert another connection - I choose 2.5/5.5 mm DC connectors but feel free to choose whatever you like or have. Solder the 2.5/5.5 DC plug to the side of the cable that comes from the power supply and the matching inline jack to the side of the cable that runs to the original 1.1mm connector. If you now plug them together it should look like this:
3. Measure the voltage on the little original connector and if it is still correct, you can now put the Prism back into its cradle and it will charge again! Nothing lost so far!
4. Now we take the USB hotsync cable and open the connector that attaches to the Prism. Locate pin 7 (not used) and pin 4 (used).
5. Solder a wire to pin 7 for + and one on 4 for -. Drill a little hole in the connector housing to run the wires out of and tie-strap them to the original cable.
6. Close the connector and solder another inline DC jack to your two wires (watch the polarity!!).
...see next post

Attachment: prism travel charger2.jpg
This has been downloaded 180 time(s).

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 54

...continued
We're basically done! You can now use your original power supply with the USB hotsync cable. You could easily add a battery pack or solar panel or nuclear power plant (nah maybe not that one) to your connection...
Post questions and/or experiences with the setup!
Attached is a little schematic I made. Quick and dirty, sorry.

Attachment: prism travel charger.gif
This has been downloaded 217 time(s).

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 54

Ahh, one more thing: The DC connectors I got at Radio Shack:
1. DC Power Plug 2.5/5.5 mm, #274-1573A, $1.69 for 2
2. Inline DC Power Jack 2.5/5.5mm #274-1578, $1.79 each

All pics made with eyemodule - Theres only one thing you can't photograph with the eyemodule - your Visor!

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

quote:

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Originally posted by nightingales
Theres only one thing you can't photograph with the eyemodule - your Visor!

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__________________
"One of the most important things you learn from the internet is that there is no �them� out there. It�s just an awful lot of �us�." -- Douglas Adams

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 54

LOL, thats an idea I didnt have! Does this mean I have to change my signature now?

__________________
</font></B><BR><FONT face="verdana,arial,helvetica" size="1" >It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, a half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses. - Hit it.</font>

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 23

Re: Query -- Can you go into further detail...

quote:

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about IR syncing. I am interested in acomplishing this with my system but unsure of the process.

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