From 84343d8e21c2ec54cd0a31ee699d214a317f30f6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Heikki Hannikainen Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2002 07:51:01 +0000 Subject: Initial answers based on what I think is probably right - need to be checked and re-checked by others! I don't know what we can recommend and what we can not recommend even if we did it ourself. git-svn-id: svn://svn.rockbox.org/rockbox/trunk@1813 a1c6a512-1295-4272-9138-f99709370657 --- www/docs/BATTERY | 86 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-------- 1 file changed, 74 insertions(+), 12 deletions(-) (limited to 'www') diff --git a/www/docs/BATTERY b/www/docs/BATTERY index 735a62c5f2..65a9c536d9 100644 --- a/www/docs/BATTERY +++ b/www/docs/BATTERY @@ -11,33 +11,95 @@ A1: Player: the charging is all done by hardware and the exact Q2: Will keeping my charger connected a long time damage my batteries? Can I leave it over night? -A2: [fill in] +A2: The charger logic lets the batteries charge until they are full. After + that, the charger is disabled, but the device will stay powered on and + continue to consume some power from the batteries (the hardware does + not allow running from the charger without charging batteries, or + powering off with the charger connected). After some time, it will + start charging the batteries again to keep them full. This will + wear the batteries a little, but overnight charging is what most + people do. + + As the Battery FAQ at http://www.greenbatteries.com/ puts it: + "A NiMH battery can be charged and discharged hundreds of times, + but whether that means 200 times or 800 times has a lot to do + with how (you use it)". Q3: Does Rockbox charge the batteries more/less/worse/better than the Archos firmware? -A3: [fill in] +A3: The current release of 1.2 is much worse than the Archos charger, it + tends to stop charging much too early and leave the batteries half + empty. + The current development code (CVS daily builds as of 20.8.2002) is much + better than the 1.2 release, but still not perfect. Linus recently + measured 6 hours continuous playtime after a rockbox charge, and much + over 7 hours after an Archos charge. We are working on fine-tuning + the charger logic to get the most out of the batteries, but the + emphasis is on not overcharging them, since that would damage the + batteries. Better be safe than sorry. Q4: What kind of batteries are there in my factory default Player/Recorder? -A4: [fill in] +A4: Both ship with 1500 mAh NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries. Q5: Is it hard to change the batteries? Does it void my warranty? -A5: [fill in] +A5: The archos manual and web site describe how to replace the batteries, + so you're supposed to do it. They recommend using only Archos-supplied + batteries, but my Recorder 20 unit only shipped with one set. Some + units have been shipped with two sets of batteries. Someone actually had + Archos send him new batteries free of charge after they had weared out, + under the warranty. (have asked from support-technique@archos.com, + waiting for an answer to arrive!) -Q6: How much cost replacement batteries? Where can I buy them? -A6: [fill in] +Q6: How much do replacement batteries cost? Where can I buy them? +A6: www.greenbatteries.com sells 1800 mAh NiMH cells at $3.25USD each, + and I bought 4 of the same GP batteries for 20 euros in an + home electronics & household appliance store in Finland. + NiMH batteries are sold in almost all shops that sell consumer + electronics, and in many online shops. Browse around. Q7: What kind of run-time can I expect on a set of fully-charged batteries when running Rockbox? -A7: [fill in] +A7: For the stock 1500 mAh cells, from 6 hours to 8 hours, depending on + which charger was used (see Q3). It depends a lot on the condition of + the batteries. We are looking into implementing more battery-saving + techniques in rockbox to make it rock longer. Q8: Can I use different batteries in my Archos? -A8: [fill in] +A8: Only use NiMH-type rechargeable batteries. It is considered to be safe + to use NiMH batteries of different capacities though, a lot of people + have purchaced 1700 or 1800 mAh batteries to replace the stock 1500 mAh + cells and have the device run a bit longer. -Q9: Can I use non-charable batteries in my Archos? -A9: [fill in] +Q9: Can I use non-chargeable batteries in my Archos? +A9: This is not recommended. The unit has been designed to operate with + four 1.2V batteries producing about 4.8V at most, and using 1.5V + alkaline/zinc carbon batteries will produce around 6.0V, which will + heat up the unit a lot more and might even damage it. The Archos + manual explicitly tells you not to do so. Q10: Can I use a different charger? -A10: [fill in] +A10: People have successfully used different chargers with similar + specifications as the stock charger. The charger must have the + same kind of connector with same polarity (center positive/+). + The charger should supply at least 7-8 volts, and if it provides + more than 9V, it probably should be current limited (do not + directly plug it in your 12V car battery or it's charger!). + + Using lower charging voltage will slow down the charging, and using + higher voltage will cause a higher charging current, more heat, + and too much heat and current can damage the batteries or the unit. + Using a different charger will void your warranty and can be + dangerous to your unit, so we can not recommend it. + + Many people are happy using an external quick charger which + is specified to work with NiMH batteries. Q11: Can I buy a replacement charger exactly as the one Archos shipped? -A11: [fill in] +A11: The FAQ on the Archos web site and the top of the charger both read: + + Output: 9VDC 600mA + Center positive (+) polarity + + Chargers with similar (or user-adjustable) properties are available + at shops selling consumer electronics. + -- cgit v1.2.3