Power requirements ...

OzCDN · 11-30-04, 04:09 PM

I just picked up a i.Trek BT GPS from Semsons(the new super low power one :)). It comes with a A/C charger and a 12V car charger.

Well the car charger just happens to fit my charger adapter for my X30h and the polarity is correct as well. So, the only down side is that the GPS charger is 5.0 V and the normal Axim charger is 5.4 V.

My personal opinion is that it should be fine and initial test show that it is charging, but I'm looking for 2nd opinions. If the voltage was higher I'd be more hesitant but since it is lower ...

Thanks,
Oz

mousearoma · 11-30-04, 04:43 PM

I actually had an online chat with Dell about the same thing about a week ago. After some attempts to avoid a direct answer, they said that using a charger with the same size adapter and polarity, and a lower voltage, will not damage the PDA. The only negative result is that your Axim will charge slightly slower when in use.

However much I may love the low prices of Dell PDAs, I refuse to pay their high accessory prices. Thus, you just gotta love it when you see a company go out of its way to try and prevent 3rd party competition by creating an abnormal 5.4V adapter, just to have to admit to its customers that its scheme has a huge flaw...you can still use a lower-voltage adapter and spend $20 less!

Enjoy your free Dell accessory! :approve:

DigitalDeath · 11-30-04, 06:06 PM

I've been using a 5v adapter from an old ipaq. Have not had any problems at all.

star882 · 11-30-04, 08:00 PM

You can make a 5.4v power adapter with a 6v power adapter and a rectifier diode.
Some 5v power supplies actually have internal adjustments which means you can tweak up the voltage by merely turning a knob with a screwdriver.

Rainh2o · 12-01-04, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by OzCDN

I just picked up a i.Trek BT GPS from Semsons(the new super low power one :)). It comes with a A/C charger and a 12V car charger.

Well the car charger just happens to fit my charger adapter for my X30h and the polarity is correct as well. So, the only down side is that the GPS charger is 5.0 V and the normal Axim charger is 5.4 V.

My personal opinion is that it should be fine and initial test show that it is charging, but I'm looking for 2nd opinions. If the voltage was higher I'd be more hesitant but since it is lower ...

Thanks,
Oz

It will charge fine but you might want to watch the amp rating on the gps cahrger. The dell charger is rated at like 2.4 amps (2450 mA) I am using a home built 5 volt 1 amp car charger and it seems fine since I put a heat sink on it. The dell pulls a lot of current when it is deeply discharged. You might burn up the GPS charger if it is only rated at like 500 mA or so. Other then that the 5 volt will charger the dell with no noticible difference in time that I have observed.