ssme

Hi,
First time poster

I was given an Axim X30 yesterday, no idea if it works. It has the adapter into which the power supply plugs, but not the power supply itself, if that makes sense?

I would like to see if it charges, and I have seen lots of stuff about replacement chargers, but I don't really understand all this "centre positive" and "tip positive" stuff that people keep saying as far as polarity is concerned.

I DO have an old portable CD player that says it takes 4.5V DC. I have the wall adapter somewhere, so I'm hunting it out. I do have the car adapter for that same CD player, which I guess must also use 4.5V? The tip fits into the Axim's adapter, but I haven't dared plug it in yet as I don't want to fry the device by getting the polarity wrong!

Image:AC adaptor polarity.png - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

based on the above linked image, the cd player has the logo on the left next to its adapter socket (positive polarity). so I guess that's what applies to the car adapter too?

no idea what the current is though.

would it be OK to try charging the axim in the car with this adapter? or do i risk frying it?

Xtremegene

The OEM charger I have for the x3/x30 has an output for 2410mA @ 5.4V Seeing as how the voltages don't match up (?), I personally wouldn't want to risk it. Of course, I'm not an electrical engineer or even a wannabe, so I could just be overly cautious.

I actually tried doing something similar (I think) but with a Palm Zire 31 and my Sanyo M1 phone. I tried using the Zire's charger (500mA @ 5.2V) on my phone as it fit the jack and was similar to the phone's charger itself (800mA @ 5.2V). It worked for a few hours or so but then broke and refused to charge either the phone or the Zire.

__________________
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ssme

Originally Posted by Xtremegene

The OEM charger I have for the x3/x30 has an output for 2410mA @ 5.4V Seeing as how the voltages don't match up (?), I personally wouldn't want to risk it. Of course, I'm not an electrical engineer or even a wannabe, so I could just be overly cautious. I actually tried doing something similar (I think) but with a Palm Zire 31 and my Sanyo M1 phone. I tried using the Zire's charger (500mA @ 5.2V) on my phone as it fit the jack and was similar to the phone's charger itself (800mA @ 5.2V). It worked for a few hours or so but then broke and refused to charge either the phone or the Zire.

ouch. although one thing i have been told elsewhere is that voltage needs to be about the same but current can be higher but not lower. i think your experience using a 500mA charger on something that needs 800mA probably proves that right!

there's a lot of people asking this same question on the forums but noone ever reports whether using other equipment's chargers is successful or not. for all i know, it works fine. or maybe they're all getting electrocuted...

i've also found a universal charger - one of those things with multiple tips you can change. it would let me run at 4.5v or 6v - of which i guess 4.5v is the safer option - but i can't figure out how to change the polarity. i *think* its something to do with how you plug the tips into the lead, but i can't really be sure so i can't risk it