Comments on: Review: PocketPal Solar PDA Chargers
Article Comments
(37 comments)
The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PalmInfocenter is not responsible for them in any way.
Please Login or register here to add your comments.
Comments Closed
This article is no longer accepting new comments.
please
Don't let your product be cheapened by amateurish designs for your products or your marketing materials (i.e., website).
love,
j
RE: please
where do you plug it in
RE: where do you plug it in
Wil
RE: where do you plug it in
(through the cradle and hotsync connector) would be an instant hit.
-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version: 3.12
GS d-(+) s: a C++ UX++++V++S++ P+>+++ L>+++ E+>++ W++ N++(+++) o? K? w !O !M V-- PS PE Y+ PGP++ t++ 5++ X++ R+ tv++ b++(+++) DI++++ D+ G++ e+++>++++ h--- r+++ y?
-----END GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
RE: where do you plug it in
and will you make a version with a palm M50x connector?
let us know wehn you do...
This is it!
HandEra 330 AC support?
RE: HandEra 330 AC support?
RE: HandEra 330 AC support?
RE: HandEra 330 AC support?
Wil
RE: HandEra 330 AC support?
Wil
RE: HandEra 330 AC support?
so if i have a handera 330 and buy the charger, can I just plug it in the AC port to charge?
RE: HandEra 330 AC support?
Posted by "Michael Johnson" - michaeldeanjohnson@yahoo.com
> of course, the circuitry will probably "top out"
> at a certain voltage, and it is probably less than
> 12v... at that voltage, the "extra" voltage is probably
> being dissapated by the charging circuit...
>
> Greg
>
> HandEra tech support suggests 12V, 800mA minimum current. I agree
> though it would be nice to see the specs and limits published.
>
The 800mA minimum must be for charging, because the device itself
draws so little current. The Li-Ion pack must use the three terminals
off to the side, because that's the only place I measured voltage with
external power connected and no battery installed.
If I learn enough, I might design my own rechargeable battery. Until
then, I'll just keep switching out AAA's and running from the jack.
Here are my measurements with the HandEra 330 active:
14mA @ 12V = 170mW (rounded)
19mA @ 9V = 170mW
22mA @ 7.5V = 170mW
33mA @ 6V = 200mW and no green light, but it still runs
BTW, AAA NiMH's were installed during current draw measurements. I'm
sure the results would be similar with alkalines installed.
Interesting that the current draw at 6V is roughly twice the draw at
12V. This tells me that the device contains a switching voltage
regulator. (Is this sounding like a lab report yet? lol)
The power supply I used is a "wall-wart" capable of 300mA at different
voltages (switchable), although I have a car adapter capable of 1000mA
with the same voltage options, although its 12V setting is unregulated
but capable of 3000mA. Both are from Radio Shack. Measurements were
made with the "CHY 20 Multimeter" from Parts Express (not Radio Shack)
Will the 5V shorten the lifetime of the internal battery?
RE: Will the 5V shorten the lifetime of the internal battery?
Please, PLEASE get more techically inclined reviewers.
This is NOT a new idea. Here's a how-to: http://www.nic.com/~cannon/PilotCrafts/solar.htm
It's highly unlikely this is going to burn the batteries out of your M505. I can't say for certain because I haven't seen the schematic of the charger for it, but most modern charging systems involve some degree of incoming voltage regulation, and operate under a fairly wide range of voltages. However, Solar cells /draw/ current when they're in the dark - I don't know what this would do to the charging circuitry- It's almost certainly something the designers of your recharge system diden't plan on.
You might also want to take a look at http://www.ovonic.com/unitedsolar/flex.html, since they carry MUCH more durable solar recharge systems.
RE: Please, PLEASE get more techically inclined reviewers.
I can see why you are "anonymous" as you obviously don't know a lot about Solar charging. I agree that Solar is not new ---your link dated to 1999??????? I have worked in solar since 1970!!!!!!!!!!!!In this article the cells themselves were $45.00 so on that basis I feel your commentary is kind of out of whack as you can get a finished CF101A for less than the cost of the cells. Also Uni-Solar panels are more costly and don't fit in your pocket. FYI--the reviewers are reviewing the product from a consumer standpoint and are as computer oriented as you are. Although the panels may put out some current in the dark----they are microamps if any. The CF101 also has a blocking diode to prevent any draining of the battery after dark. Also ---who in their right mind is going to charge a PC with Solar after dark??????
Wil
RE: Please, PLEASE get more techically inclined reviewers.
Not to knock the CF101 or the skill required to build a solar charger (I'd probably opt to have someone else build it), but don't give this guy a hard time just cause he's providing some options.
RE: Please, PLEASE get more techically inclined reviewers.
In answer to your Jade Mountain panel----please provide the customers with a link to this. I spent 20 minutes in JadeMountain and couldn't find it. I would like to comment on it if you will let me.
wil
RE: Please, PLEASE get more techically inclined reviewers.
http://www.jademountain.com/energyProducts/thinfilmflexpv.html
RE: Please, PLEASE get more techically inclined reviewers.
Thanks for the link. these panels (BTW---I also sell these on my site at a lesser price than JadeMountain----$6.25 each )are flexible but only deliver 50ma. Putting 2 together in parallel gives you only 100ma and only 3V. With thiese panels you will only trickle charge a 2.4V battery system at best, you wont charge a 3V battery system and also will not charge an m505 at all!!!!!!!! These 2 you recommend are like David is to Goliath as far as my CF101. BTW---they also fade as well as de-laminate. Sorry to bust your ballon but you should at least check things out before you try to destroy them with inaccurate information. Email me---I will discuss it with you.I am at <plastecs@plastecs.com>. Ask for Wil.
Wow!
Sorry about not catching the diode - It's not exactly mentioned in the text.
And, while folks may have been doing solar since 1970, or earlier, they haven't been charging their palm pilots with them since 1970, and that was what was pointed out, I believe.
And, of course, nobody is going to try and use this device to charge by moonlight - But do you think that somebody might accidentally leave their pilot plugged in to it overnight?
Boy, if these guys act like this while trying to get you to buy one, I'd hate to see the kind of technical support you're going to get out of them.
RE: Please, PLEASE get more techically inclined reviewers.
In general, tech support seems to have become so in recent years. I am willing to pay a higher price for products from companies that still provide courteous and effective service.
RE: Please, PLEASE get more techically inclined reviewers.
- Srinivas
RE: Please, PLEASE get more techically inclined reviewers.
Wil is a maniac. No plastecs any time soon on my budget...
alex
Hand Era -yes you can
Redesign Palm PDA To Accept Removable Batteries
Advantages of using this type of batteries:
- The PDA can keep its slim and small form factor.
- Low downtime if user changes the batteries
- Fast and simple to change batteries
- Not inconvenienced if user can't find a charging point while on the move.
I think it's about time to re-look into extending the battery life of PDA, and methods to minimise the inconvenience of changing batteries and charging. The quality of the new PDAs like hi-res color, brigthness, contrast, etc., should not be compromised. The handphone manufacturers have designed their new products excellently. Try learning their designs. It'll make Palm OS handhelds widely accepted by the masses.
Great idea!
Saving power
RE: help
Palm IIIC
Thanks
Latest Comments
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST((SELECT/**/CASE/**/IS_SRVROLEMEM
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST((SELECT/**/CASE/**/IS_SRVROLEMEM
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST((SELECT/**/CASE/**/IS_SRVROLEMEM
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST(db_name()/**/AS/**/NVARCHAR(4000
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST(db_name()/**/AS/**/NVARCHAR(4000
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST(db_name()/**/AS/**/NVARCHAR(4000
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST(db_name()/**/AS/**/NVARCHAR(4000
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST(db_name()/**/AS/**/NVARCHAR(4000
Kick it up a notch?
Inquiring (ee-ignorant) minds want to know...
-sundance