Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

Omniremote Discovery

One of my biggest complaints about my Omniremote module has been that it craps out and locks up my VDX if I attempted to use it with the battery level at 50% or less.

I recently switched to NiMh batteries. I find that they last me about 90% as long as good quality Alkaline (I have 600amp Radioshack batteries). An interesting side effect of the switch to NiHm is that my OmniRemote now works flawlessly, right down to the bitter end of the charge on my batteries.

So I am happy now. I also discovered how much better my OmniRemote works if I tune the remote frequency manually. I wonder what it is about the change of battery types that make such a noticable difference in performance of the module. It almost doesn't seem possible.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 23

NiMH batteries have a slightly lower voltage to start with, but hold that same level for a longer period of time. When they start to go, they plummet in voltage rather quickly.

Apparently the OmniRemote has problems at low voltage, but the problems occur at a voltage LOWER than the NiMH battery level (alkalines are 1.5 volts each to start, whereas NiMH are typically 1.3 or so). Since the alkalines' drop is more gradual & constant, at 50% the voltage has probably dipped to 1.2 or less, and thus you've had problems.

-kirb

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