Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Garland, TX, USA
Posts: 108

Recharging modules

You know what kind of irks me? All these modules that require separate power supplies but not all using the VDOCK pin through the Visor's serial connector for recharging.

I guess I can't fault the module vendors. For one, they all have different power needs. For instance, the VisorPhone has a 3.7V lithium battery and does recharge through the Visor's serial connector with a power supply adapter.

The MiniJam uses the Visor's two AAA batteries (~3.2V) for power but does have the option of powering directly with an external power jack. Still, this is not done through the Visor using a special power supply like VisorPhone's.

The Magellan GPS uses its own AAA batteries. Again, not using the VDOCK pin.

I really wish Handspring would have nailed down the power requiements and specifications for ALL modules. Why not make it a requirement to power/recharge (if needed) through the Visor's serial connector? The benefits are huge => simplicity. Imagine having one recharging DC power supply to recharge/power all these modules. You don't have to carry extra batters and supplies. For that matter, make the Visor itself rechargeable, if desired, with the same external supply.

Sorry for the gripe.

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Rob Lund
The Rob Pages
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Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

I totally agree - I've seen many module maker people who have included external batteris (YEAH!) but didn't use the vdock pins. I think HS might want to add it to the SB standard..

BUT their are some modules that need more power to charge than the vdock pins can give. I think the minijam might be one of those....

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-miradu

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Garland, TX, USA
Posts: 108

yes, but no...

Well, remember the MiniJam ONLY uses the Visor's battery power. Or, it can be power externally with a DC wall transformer of the same output (from 3 to 6VDC). Internally, it regulates down to the 3VDC. So the VDOCK pin would have worked in that case.

Now, you're right, other modules might require higher voltage levels than the VDOCK pin is good for. But inside the Visor, the VDOCK is not tied to the V+ of the Visor's batteries. So there's pretty good isolation.

And even in the case of the VisorPhone, I've measured my recharger at +6VDC supplied to the VDOCK pin. So with very little extra cost, these module makers could have included recharging/power circuits to use VDOCK.

And if Handspring had made that a Springboard standard, the module makers wouldn't have to sell a recharger with their modules. That could be a separate purchse since most modules would require the same supply.

__________________
Cheers,
Rob Lund
The Rob Pages
[email protected]