Registered: Oct 1999
Location: ny,ny,10048
Posts: 27

Just got my new Nexcell NIMH batteries today. Are you all running "Runtime" with the settings for regular batteries, or does the program automatically detect the NIMH type and make the necessary changes? Or is there no difference between the 2 types? I thought I read somewhere that there are programs that have been written to more accurately detect the NIMH voltages.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Gainesville, FL USA
Posts: 112

I'm using "NiMHSet", found on Palmgear.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 70

The "RunTime" program doesn't care about battery types. It graphs the actual voltage as reported by PalmOS. It also keeps track of how long the batteries have been in the unit since the last change and how much of that time the unit has actually been 'on.'

Voltage is voltage, and battery types don't affect the reading the PalmOS gives. However, making a judgement of how much battery life is left BASED on the voltage is what requires certain settings. Since RunTime doesn't concern itself with how much life is left in your batteries, it doesn't need any settings of that sort.

[This message has been edited by wrp (edited 12-29-1999).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: ny,ny,10048
Posts: 27

"wrp" thank you for the clarification, that's exactly what I wanted to know. "Axeman" thank you for recommending NiMHset for the battery life remaining issue. This website is great!!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 82

What waste the memory using nimhset? Just use the .7 command.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 88

Intaman,

Why don't you explain what .7 means? I am sure folks would like to know.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

The "dot" shortcuts are somewhat obscure, since you can screw things up a bit if you don't use them correctly. The "dot-7" is fairly safe, though.

<OL TYPE=1>
<LI>Open a new blank Memo pad document
<LI>In the number side of the Graffiti area (i.e., the right side), make the shortcut symbol. This starts in the lower left of the area, and looks like a cursive lower case letter "L". It is listed on the Graffiti cheat sheet (which can be called up by drawing a line from the Graffiti area up into the main screen)
<LI>Still in the number area, tap the screen twice. This makes a period (the "dot")
<LI>Still in the number area, make a numeral "7"
<LI>In the memo pad document, the Visor will write the battery type you just set it to.
<LI>Repeat steps 2-4 until the battery type matches your batteries.
<LI>Alas, there is no setting for NiMH. I've been told that NiCad will do.
</OL>
For more info, go to http://www.palmgear.com/faq/faq.cfm...=61&catID=3

[This message has been edited by Winchell (edited 12-31-1999).]

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 26

You can also use the BatteryInfo program to change your battery type. I downloaded it from Palmgear.com

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Bronx, NY
Posts: 12

There is also a nice program I've been using called "Uptime". It lists the time since the last reset, the time on the current battery and actual runtime, and also the backlight time. Plus, it also allows you to change the battery type. (although it forgets after a s reset. No NiMH, but I understand NiCad settings work fine.)

On my first set of Nexcell NiMH:
Total: 4 days 23 hrs Runtime: 13:40

They are at 2.35v. Beam receive is on. Who cares though? They are reasonably priced from Thomas Distributing and what do I care if I have to change them weekly? I keep a spare set of alkalines in my desk in case I get caught!

Jeff

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 170

I've been using Rayovac Renewals for several years now. I've never been too impressed with the number of cycles I get, but they were still the most cost effective solution for me ( I've got two young boys who seem to only get gifts that use batteries).

I went to Target and picked up various sizes to power various new holiday gifts and when I got home I noticed that the package now says up to 100 charges. Last time I bought them they were only rated for 25 charges, and I've been lucky to get 15. I also see that the battery case design has changed.

I've been using them in my Palm IIIx for 7 days now, with 12:39 of runtime @ 2.47v. I'm using backlight about 10% of the time, using OmniRemote quite a bit, beam receive is off.

My point is that if you haven't tried Renewals in a while, it looks like they may have recently improved the product. They cost about 1/2 of Nimh. Rayovac's website states that Nimh is really most suited for high drain devices, and I don't think that Palm or Visor are really high drain. The downside is that you only get 100x vs 1000x for Nihm, and if the charge drops too low you will have to toss them. But the advantage of Renewals is that they hold their charge on the shelf and cost less.

BTW, Rayovac also sells Nimh (Ultra) and their new charger ($20 @ Target) now charges Renewals, Nimh and Nicad.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Posts: 64

You're using OmniRemote? I never could get it to work. It always complained of too much background light, even when I ran it in my bathroom with no windows and no lights on. Is there a Visor-specific version or am I just missing something?

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 170

I've got a Palm, not a Visor, but I've seen references here that say it does work.

I initially had a problem with it too. It just did not work at all. I then reprogrammed it again under very low light ( at night with just the light from my monitor) and now it works fine.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Provo, UT
Posts: 64

I am using 650 mAh Energizer ACCUs like sdavida, and have had similar results. Only one change so far, but got about 15 hrs of usage over an 8-day period (I think. Had a hard crash, so I lost my Runtime data). Rarely use the backlight, but like to play Galax, which seems to suck a bit of battery juice. Actually, I remember now that I did beam about 3 Megs of stuff to a friend that just got a Visor on that set of batteries. Anyone know if that uses a lot of energy?

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Orem, UT, USA
Posts: 22

I'm using Energizer ACCU RECHARGEABLE 650 mAh NiMHs and I'm getting about 16hrs out of each charge. Happy Computing!

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 103

I'm using Radio Shack NiMHs (550mAh) and the best I get is 11 hours and 48 minutes. I do tend to hotsync a lot at work, though.

------------------
Thanks,
Jay

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 3

Where r u guys buying the chargers for the energizer nimhs/ which ones do you recommend??

-Fugi

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: ny,ny,10048
Posts: 27

I bought my NIMH's and charger at http://www.thomasdistributing.com . I've only had them both for a little over a week and everything is good so far. I bought 6 NEXEL 650 mAH AAA's for $2.50 each (you get a discount if you buy more than 8), and I bought the GP 7 hour fast charger in case I buy other types of rechargable batteries for $34.90(the 7 hour feature was definately overkill as I now see that it will not be a very usefull feature, I will always have at least 2 extra sets in the charger everytime, so fast charging is unecesary). Hope this helps.

Registered: May 2000
Location:
Posts: 2

I too have the Energizer NiMHs and get over 8 hours per charge, with heavy backlight usage and beam receive on. They are available at most big electronics stores.

Someone mentioned that they had a very long recharge time. Is it possible that your charger is discharging them first? If you put in a set of batteries that is hardly used it could take much longer since some chargers will completely discharge them before beginning the charging cycle.

Be sure to use NiMHs in pairs. If you buy two sets, mark them "A" and "B" and keep each pair together so they stay on the same charging cycles.

[This message has been edited by natester (edited 05-23-2000).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 143

Switched from regular alkalines to Energizer Accu about a month or so ago. I don't have Runtime but I change them 1X per week; this is after seeing the battery indicator start to go down but before I get a "your battery is low" message. Hotsync about 1X per day (sometimes more but not on weekends; cradle is at work), beam receive is ON. Light use (mostly appointments and read the NY Times front page from Avantgo), very little backlight.

I leave one set in the charger and the other in the Vdx. I also carry a spare set of regular alkalines in my backpack in case I run low on a trip.

For those who were wondering where to get the Accus, I got the the batteries and their charger (fast+trickle) at Best Buy.