Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 118

Data loss and melting

No problems like that here. The only problem I had is the cheap plastic they used to make the clip attachment snapped, so I now secure it to the battery lid via a couple of rubber bands when I charge it.

Keep thinking that I'll hack the cradle, but then I won't be able to charge it while I'm driving.

Cheers!

Tucson Sailors

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 216

Okay, I finally got an ICU power accessory kit. I followed the rather poorly written instructions, including bending the battery connectors on the battery cover until I am certain they are making contact yet the light on the charger does not change to red as they say it should when I plug it in. Battery panel reads 100% charge (Yes, I switched it to NiMH). Anything to worry about?

I did notice that when I have it plugged in and I am using my ThinModem Plus, the light changes to orange. I am assuming that what is going on is that the battery is completely charged and that is why the light is green. When I place a heavy load on the batteries (the ThinModem Plus) it changes color because it is recharging. The reason that I am asking is that I am giving three hours of lecture (continuing medical education) and am planning upon using my Visor and my Presenter-to-Go to give them. I don't want my batteries to give out (I'll be taking my trusty backup module and regular alkaline batteries, just in case).

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Registered: Aug 2001
Location:
Posts: 12

Is there a place Online To Buy

I have been looking for a place online to buy either the FullCharge or ICU power acc. kit. The FullCharge site seems to have disappeared (could be a strange firewall thing at work though...)

Any one with URLs where I can BUY one of these devices?

thanks,

thom

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 216

I bought my ICU power accessory kit used from Amazon.com. New units are also available from Amazon. Click here for the URL for the page at Amazon for the ICU power accessory kit.

I see that there are two used ones currently available for $19.99. These are both from the person that I purchased mine from. That transaction went off without a hitch.

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

specifics

Ok, I'm new to the scene here. I couldn't find that review of the ICU you guys mentioned, and what's worse, the product info on ICU's website is shoddy. Not very many pics or info.

For starters:
1) does this thing work with all Visors?
2) can it be plugged in and in a cradle simultaneously?
3) what are these horror stories I'm reading about data loss and fires?! Check it out on Amazon's comments section

Thanks!

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Rob Lund
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Registered: Feb 2000
Location: El Segundo,CA
Posts: 374

It should work with all Visors that don't have a rechargeable battery.
It sticks out the back so it does not fit in the cradle.
I have had no problem with it.

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 216

quote:

---

Originally posted by j762538
It should work with all Visors that don't have a rechargeable battery.
It sticks out the back so it does not fit in the cradle.
I have had no problem with it.

---

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Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

The review is here: http://www.visorcentral.com/page/0-6-107-1-6.htm

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-miradu

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 32

Highly, Highly Recommended!

I've had my ICU for about 6 weeks and it's worked flawlessly! Being a pretty heavy user, I would've run thru many, many batteries during that time. Unfortunately for my ICU, I exchanged my Plat for a Prism today. That's one of the things I wrestled with contemplating the change, but I couldn't pass it up (an even-exchange of my old Plat for a new Prism - Thanks BestBuy!).

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HRdude

"There's no birthday party for me here!"

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

Thanks for the replies, gusy! Ok, I read the review. I wish the pictures were larger. There's a pretty good big pic on Amazon.

The only thing I'm not clear on is how the charger plugs into the replacement battery cover. From that pic on Amazon, it looks like a large RJ45 connector or something. Whatever it is, it's bulky isn't it? How much clearance is needed behind the Visor for the cable?

Reason I ask is that I'm also looking for a good PDA holder for the car. You guys have one? I'm looking at the Smart Holder at dpp.com. I got an email from one of their support people confirming that it would work great for a Visor in and out of a leather case, with or without modules (phone, GPS, etc.). Anyone have this holder? It's motorized for better grip. It gets its power from the sig lighter, but thankfully it comes with a splitter so you can still plug other things in (like the ICU charger!).

So, question of course will be if there's clearance for the ICU charger cable AND this fancy Smart Holder at the same time. I won't know until I try it, but was hoping you guys might know.

Later,

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Rob Lund
The Rob Pages
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Registered: Sep 2000
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 100

Re: ICU Power accessory kit

quote:

---

Originally posted by Morgul
I could never get a shortcut 7 to work.

---

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 216

mnartker,

The battery cover does not protrude but the plug when recharging does. I have the ICU in my Platinum which I carry around in one of HandSpring's bifold leather cases (The type where the device is held in by a cover sewn into the case) and it fits fine.

With regard to length of time between charges, I recharge when the battery reaches 30%, as the voltage falls rapidly after this. I have a Thinmodem Plus in my Plat at all times, have beam receive turned off, and have the driver for my Stowaway turned off. In this configuration, with minimal to no on-line time with the Thinmodem Plus, I get 5 to 7 hours of runtime per overnight charge (Even though the light on the charger turns green after 3 hours, I seem to get higher voltages and longer runtime if I charge overnight). When using the Thinmodem Plus heavily, I get about 4 hours. The NiMH batteries seem to really hold up well with heavy usage (like when using the Thinmodem Plus). I am not sure about the EyeModule as I do not have one. I seem to remember someone complaining about one of the rechargeable systems and the Eyemodule. It may have been the Extend system, however, which has batteries with lower voltage. There should be a thread around discussing that.

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

metal clips

Ok, I just got my ICU recharger tonight. I must admit, I'm quite impressed with it. Very nice system they've designed!

... except for the metal recharging clips. That's a pain. I read the review, I read the warnings about them. BTW, they've updated their one-page manual to include a troubleshooting section on this. Yet, my problem hasn't been making battery contact. It's been fitting those blades in between the batter and the Visor's metal contacts.

How do you do this? It fits so poorly that the replacement battery cover bulges out! Oh my.

Any help here? I've tried bending the tabs in various directions to clear with little success.

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The Rob Pages
[email protected]

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 216

I had the exact same problem. I could never get the first cover to fit correctly (ICU provided a replacement and a replacement set of batteries after I contacted them.) The second cover fit better but I still did not get good contact until I was rather forceful in closing the cover. I applied a fair amount of pressure which resulted in a snap and closure of the cover (as well as a spike in my blood pressure!). After this, the cover fit flush and I had good contact. I removed the cover, just to see if I had broken anything, and didn't see anything. When I replaced it, the application of force resulted in a snap again and the cover fitting snug. What I think happens is that the contact for the battery near the top of the PDA gets hung up on the end of the battery and you have to force it between the contact and the end of the battery (hence the snap).

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