Looking for external battery

Gigi · 10-19-03, 09:12 AM

Are there any options out there for external batteries? I found one here but it does not look like the Axim is supported. I also found some other emergency batteries but I am looking for something that is rechargeable and with a higher capacity.

ikehiker · 10-19-03, 09:38 AM

I've never seen anything other than the emergency chargers that use a 9V battery, but I'm not convinced how well they actually work. My guess is that you'd have to use a lot of 9V batteries to run the Axim. On the other hand, the link you posted probably would work with a 4mm connector (I'm 90% sure of the size). It says it will provide 3.5Amps at 5V which should be close enough to the Axim's 5.4V. You might email them and see what they think.

dellaximboy · 10-19-03, 10:24 AM

Why do you want an external battery anyway. Isnt the whole point of a ppc is that ists PORTABLE?

Gigi · 10-19-03, 10:37 AM

Thanks Ike, I have emailed them.

Quote:

Originally posted by dellaximboy
Why do you want an external battery anyway. Isnt the whole point of a ppc is that ists PORTABLE?

Yes, a PPC should be portable, but carrying around an external battery is similar to carrying around an extra battery. I realize that the external battery is bulkier, but it may not be THAT much more bulkier compared to the larger extended battery. Besides, I was hoping for something that can be used for different devices as well; not only for things like mp3 players, but also if I decide to switch over to the x3, I can still use the same external battery.

larrysabo · 10-19-03, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gigi
Are there any options out there for external batteries? I found one here but it does not look like the Axim is supported. I also found some other emergency batteries but I am looking for something that is rechargeable and with a higher capacity.

A Googe search on "battery extender axim - ebay" provides a number of useful links. Store that sells digital cameras should have lots of battery alternatives, and probably extenders, too. There's an interesting do-it-yourself battery extender article at...

http://www.pocketpcpassion.com/archi...ryExtender.htm

Larry

Gigi · 10-19-03, 08:32 PM

Thanks for the research Larry. Actually I did look a bit into battery extenders before, but they seemed to be more for "emergency" purposes and not so much like an extended battery. For example, they tend to use regular alkaline batteries and not a rechargeable lithium type. And as for the link you gave me for a DIY one, that was really neat...unfortunately, I know nothing about electronics or else I would love to try it myself!

larrysabo · 10-19-03, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gigi
...they tend to use regular alkaline batteries and not a rechargeable lithium type.

You could use rechargeable NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries, as used in digital cameras. Wish I could find the page I had seen a few weeks ago on extenders; it included high capacity NiMH batteries for sale. I know Semsons sells extenders and I believe rechareable NiMH batteries, but I could be wrong about the batteries. If I come across the page I'm thinking of, I'll post back.

Cheers,
Larry

suemccartin · 10-20-03, 11:51 AM

I got a extender for my old maestro off ebay that uses 4 AA batteries and has a on/off switch for like 9 bucks. You have to use rechargeables (nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, etc) because of the voltage difference of 1.2V versus 1.5V of stock alkalines but it worked great on my maestro and the same unit works great on the Axim too. You'd have to carry a lot of AA's around with you but that would work in a pinch.

Ebay also has a new higher capacity 3800mah v. 3400mah extended battery (that slides on the back), the 3400 lasts twelve hours so the 3800 probably would easily give another hour or two (haven't seen anyone test it for duration yet). You might want to look into (over the shoulder or belt) power products made for photographers (specifically 512V flash unit batteries). If you could find one with the right voltage output (or know how to build a limiting circuit yourself) then you'd be in business. You might also look at battery units for laptops, I've seen those but I don't know if you'll find one with the voltage requirement of the axim, they're also expensive.

Why not just invest in a couple of the 3800 batteries? For two hundred bucks (they go for about 50 each on ebay) you'd have 48 hours+ of juice in a pretty small space. Unless you're doing something that requires a long period unattended I don't think you're going to be able to beat that too easy. I suppose you could get a car battery and wire up a twelve volt socket with a fuse on it but that would be very heavy.

Gigi · 10-20-03, 02:50 PM

Thanks Larry and sue for your input. I would like to try to stay away from those ordinary battery extenders (i.e., the ones that use AA batteries, rechargeable or not) since they won't last too long and the rechargeable batteries would have to be charged separately. Do the ones photographers use use separate batteries as well?

I have looked into getting "real" batteries for my Ax, but I find them way too expensive for my not-that-freqent use. Shipping and handling to Canada is usually quite expensive. Also, I am hoping to get something generic in case I decide on a different PDA. Actually I would love to be able to fiddle around with products that are already out there, but unfortunately, I know zilch about electronics...

UPDATE: I just got an email back from the company I linked to in my original post:

Hello,
Voltage wise the PR2 should work with your Axim on either the 5 or 6 Volt setting. However, the PR2 includes a series of connectors that you need to match up to your Axim connector. Here is a link to the PR2 connectors: http://www.laptopsforless.com/pr2connectors.htm
If one of our connectors is the same size as the connector on your original Axim AC Adapter or charger then the PR2 will work for you. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Thanks!

Brian Watson
Tech Support
Laptops for Less
www.laptopsforless.com
1-800-556-4490

The link they have included includes a 4 mm connector, so I assume that it should be fine for the Axim!

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