Ounce

I know you're supposed to charge the Axim for at least 4 hours....does the backup battery need to be charged as well or can I just put the battery in the cradle, pug it in, etc.
Since this is the newbie board I'll embarass myself further :P If I have to charge it as a unit (Axim+batteries) will it turn on when put in the cradle and I then turn it off for 4-6 hours or what?
Ounce

Mike C

I put both batteries in and stuck it in the cradle to charge. If you just put in the back-up battery, and charge the main one in the cradle, loose, you'll start draining the back-up. (which is why it ships uninstalled)
Whatever you do, don't plug the usb into the computer yet!

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JakeRich

The backup battery will not run the Axim, it's only there to preserve memory when the main battery is dead or removed. The Axim will NOT start on just the backup. So, follow the directions and let it charge. Most of us found it fully charged in much less than 4 hours. As soon as the light is green, you are good to go.

Ounce

Ok then both batteries and wait for the green light. Thank you both. :)

cdnsupra

I installed the batteries as described, charged overnight, then started using my new axim. what i have seen is the backup battery is anywhere from 70% to 100%, and it seems to go up and down on different days, rather than steadily decreasing. it is my understanding that this watch battery is NOT re-chargable, so what is the deal?

i would think that is the lith-ion is always above zero, the backup battery should not be touched at all.

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commoved

From other posts, some Axims have variance in measuring the amount of battery charge. Then can vary 20% from day to day. Your backup battery is probably fine. If you want to buy another one, you can get it from most stores -- they're cheap.

In fairness to Dell, measuring the % of charge on these backup batteries is really hard to do. They are trying to figure battery life based really small changes in voltage. A very small voltage change makes a big difference in the reported charge.

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SkyVoice

Reading the documentation that comes with the device is an *EXCELLENT* first step. Many folks would not believe how much information it provides... obviously. :D

Ron

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wevtec

When I get my Axim and plug it in to charge for 4-6 hours as I've heard I need to do, will it function IN the cradle? Can I use it WHILE it is charging for the first 4 hours? Or is it definitely off during that time?

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commoved

My axim came with a 50% charge on the main battery, so I just started using it while it was in the cradle. (I had a lot of apps I wanted to install). I really believe I didn't do anything that will shorten the life of my battery. But remember, we are all responsible for our own actions.

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wevtec

Well, it's what I did with my cell phone, to program in my numbers. Theoretically speaking, if it's on the cradle and you can still turn it on, it's charging the battery and powering the unit simultaneously.

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Mike C

The possibility exists that both running the device (at full brightness, mind you) and charging a really thirsty battery will burn something out in the regulator. You'll hate yourself in the morning.
The folks who designed this thing know it's limitations and weaknesses, like TINY little surface-mount components.

I assume they wouldn't say it if there was no real reason. They must have seen some bad results from not following this sequence.

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Mizar

I strongly suspect that they prescribe a full charge before using so that you don't -a- start trying to use it and install things immediately with an empty battery, as it draws operating current from the battery, not the charger, and may not operate correctly at this point, causing troubles either immediately or later on; or -b- start trying to use it after charging for three minutes and then pull out the charger plug to go show off your new toy to your friends and loved ones. "Watch this -- hey, it died... those b*stards!"

-Bill