lbcox

Just received GoMadic's Axim Power Sync Cable and it's acting weird. When plugging the USB cable into my PC, it will sync and discharge (not charge). When using the car's adapter, the light turns red and discharges, even though it says it's charging. However, if you pull the USB cable 2/3 of the way out, the light turns green and it starts charging, even though the Dell says it is not charging; just gives a battery power remaining message (but you can see the % go up quickly). I've called GoMadic and left an email. Has anyone else had this problem? Usually GoMadic is fairly reliable.

lbcox

I wonder if Moonlight Technologies's power sync charger cable has the same issue as GoMadic....?

From GoMadic,
The Dell Axim Power Sync cable is a little different than most of our other Power Sync cables. Most PDA's require 5.0 volts of DC current to power and recharge the device. Since USB puts off exactly 5.0 volts of DC power, a power sync cable allows the user to sync and recharge their device without any problems. The Dell Axim, however, is slightly different. The Axim requires 5.4 volts of power which is slightly higher than what USB puts off. Since electrically there is a +/- 10% buffer, the cables still work, however, we have noticed a couple of limitations from operating on the fringe of the power requirements. Once the Dell Axim gets below a certain base of battery life (ie. 30-40%), it no longer receives enough power from the USB port to charge the battery. In this case, it requires the AC adapter to give it enough power to get it over the hump again. Anything above 30-40% of base and it should charge just fine, however, if you have the backlight on bright, most of the power from the USB will be required to power the Axim with little left over to recharge the battery.

Gomadic understands that these limitations may be unacceptable to some customers and as such, we are offering a full 100% refund to our customers. If you would like to receive a refund, please return your cable to the following address:

Gomadic Returns
12930 Cedar Glen Lane - Suite 250
Herndon, VA 20171
RMA Ax10.22

In the event that your cable is showing other symptoms not described above, then please let us know.

Sincerely,
Gomadic

npoon

Just curious, did you decide to keep the cable or return it based on their response. Did you check out the one at www.exectivepda.com? I am wondering what (if any) difference there is.

lbcox

No, not yet. I threw the box away that it came in not thinking I was going to send it back. In the interim, I have ordered a sync-n-charge kit from Moonlight Technologies (https://ssl32.securedata.net/moonlig...exd.asp?id=740). Don't know if it works any better or not, but I saw it on another user forum and thought I'd give it a try.
In the meantime, I'm going to call GoMadic about how they want me to send it back (they better pay for shipping).

Narzuhl

I have a Moonlight Technologies Sync/Charge cable and it give me the same problem as the GoMadic. But at $13.00 for the cable, Ac adapter, Auto Adapter. I think i will keep Mine and just charge it with the Ac Adapter.

cageyjames

This is a limitation of the Axim and USB. Does USB 2.0 put out more power?

lbcox

Well, that's not a good sign! I wonder if there's anybody (person or company) out there that has charging cable that works correctly?!
I have a Dell 650 Workstation that has USB 2.0 and it seems to do the same thing. However, I think we're more concerned with charging when we're away from our PCs.

cageyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by lbcox Well, that's not a good sign! I wonder if there's anybody (person or company) out there that has charging cable that works correctly?!

Not unless they offer another power source. According to GoMadic USB doesn't output enough power. I guess that is the reason why Dell never offered a USB charge cable...

lbcox

Then what do they do to the cradle to make it charge?

cageyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by lbcox Then what do they do to the cradle to make it charge?

Because the cradle uses a A/C adaptor.

npoon

So just to conclude: it was a good idea in theory but not in practise. Does anyone suggest buying one then?

cageyjames

Not unless you carry around a AC adapter. You can use the USB sync cable most of the time, but when you get down low, use the AC.

ikehiker

Quote:

Originally posted by cageyjames Not unless you carry around a AC adapter. You can use the USB sync cable most of the time, but when you get down low, use the AC.

OR, if you don't have access to the power adapter, turn off the Axim. The charge/sync cables will charge that way (although it still may be quite slow depending on how much power your USB port is supplying)

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geezer

I was very surprised when close inspection of my Axim AC adapter show the DC output from the mini-brick @ 2410 mA. No wonder the Radio Shack 6V DC charger (@ 1000 mA) was having trouble filling the tank on the Axim!

USB ports are low voltage/amperage connections. From what I've seen, they max out @ 500mA. This is more in line of a "trickle charge", good for maintaining a battery, but not for a quick, full charge. Need more "umph" to push the juice into the battery.

Here's a simple page on USB info.

Hope this helps,
Jeff

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