Backup Battery Issue

House · 03-12-03, 08:20 AM

Hey guys,

I have a question

My backup battery seems to be loosing power, I mean last night it was at 90% and Ive had my Axim for less than a week, and this morning its at 80%. Now I charge everyday, and have never had mine go into hibernation mode. Im fairly familliar with PocketPC's having had a Velo several years ago and prior to my Axim I had a Compaq Aero 1500, I have only a CF memory card in the systems so its not like I have anything draining power, and shouldnt the backup battery only loose power if the main battery is low or dead?

Thanks in advance for the help on this one guys.

peterbright · 03-12-03, 08:44 AM

Just do a soft reset & it will be back to 100%

pmoto · 03-12-03, 09:04 AM

I have no idea why, but it appears to be normal behavior for the values reported for the backup battery to occassionally show values between 80-100%.

House · 03-12-03, 12:52 PM

Thanks guys, good to know I just didnt get the runt of the litter :-)

Rodneycat · 03-12-03, 01:04 PM

I have had the same experience with my Axim. Within the first week the backup battery dipped down to 90%, then 80%, then back to 90%. There was one time when I checked battery strength and found the backup battery to be 0%!!. I was ready to call Dell on this one but checking again a few minutes later it was back up to 90%. Very strange.;)

pmoto · 03-12-03, 02:04 PM

Rodneycat,

If your backup battery reported 0% you may have a problem similar to the one I experienced. That being, my backup battery didn't always maintain a good contact within the battery compartment. To remedy the problem I simply inserted a very small piece of foam padding between the backup battery cover and the top of the backup battery. This applies a small amount of downward pressure on the battery helping maintain a good contact. Since doing this, I have not had any problems with the battery reporting 0%.

Biffo · 07-02-03, 07:11 AM

My Axim has been sat 2 weeks unused in the desk, I switched it on and the backup battery is flat . I have lost all my programs and data Surely it should last longer than this

blatty · 07-02-03, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pmoto
Rodneycat,

If your backup battery reported 0% you may have a problem similar to the one I experienced. That being, my backup battery didn't always maintain a good contact within the battery compartment. To remedy the problem I simply inserted a very small piece of foam padding between the backup battery cover and the top of the backup battery. This applies a small amount of downward pressure on the battery helping maintain a good contact. Since doing this, I have not had any problems with the battery reporting 0%.

I agree with PMOTO, as I experienced the same problem, I took a different approach...I reformed the three contacts beneath the battery to put more pressure on the battery. It solved the problem for me. It seems that either solution might work for you as well.

jsm180 · 07-02-03, 08:24 AM

My first Axim had a similar problem, my battery level would vary between 100% and 0% with constant 'low battery' warnings on start up. I tried rom updates, cleaning and bending contacts, new batteries and padding the cover, nothing worked long term. One Dell rep told me to ignore it, I insisted on a replacement and got one, the new one has been flawless, level stays at 100%

The back-up battery is not rechargable, it is only used when the main battery is completely discharged. The Axim uses power even when turned off, so when the mains run down the back-up takes over but only for a short period of time.

80%-100% variation in my opinion is nothing to worry about, if it starts dropping below 60%, replace the battery, if it still continues replace the Axim.

ikehiker · 07-02-03, 01:08 PM

Since no one has mentioned it, I want to point out that version A02 of the ROM fixed some issues with the backup battery reporting improper levels.. Those of you experiencing these problems that are still on A00 should upgrade (although presumably the issue is also fixed on WinMobile03 so if you plan to upgrade to it soon, there’s no reason to do the other upgrade at this point in time unless you want practice flashing the ROM).

soyboy78 · 08-18-03, 02:04 PM

I did update the rom and it didn't fix the problem.

somedude&AdEll · 08-18-03, 03:49 PM

i agree with you bif but you should of left it on the dock :p

gus4all · 03-02-04, 01:57 AM

Shortly after buying my dell axim x5 (used off of ebay), the backup battery starting getting lower and lower, and one day it just went to 0. I tried a soft reset, charging without the batter (which did nothing) and even putting something between the backup battery and the little cover, but still nothing. Then it hit me!!

Change the battery!!

That was it. I had to do a soft reset again for the unit to respond to the battery change but everything has been fine and dandy since. The battery is not rechargeable, just a regular DL2032 (or CR2032) battery.

jbacosta11 · 03-02-04, 01:05 PM

Guys,

Thanks for all the info. Where can I buy the backup battery?..

Regards.

pswets · 03-02-04, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jbacosta11
Guys,

Thanks for all the info. Where can I buy the backup battery?..

Welcome to aximsite, jbacosta11!

You can buy the batteries anywhere. Walmart, Radio Shack, Target, anyplace that sells watch batteries, really. It's a standard, common size (CR 2032). Pay $3 US, not much more.