gadgetnerd

I have an X51v and a Socket Mobile Power Pack. Both have worked fine together until today, when something very strange happened. I was watching movies (and had been for a good few hours, much longer than the Axim's own battery could have powered it) and then the "your battery is low, please follow the manufacturer's instructions for recharging or replacing it" (or whatever it says). I looked, and the light that had been green last time I checked was flashing amber. I unplugged the power pack, and after a few minutes the Axim turned off (as I had it set to do). I then plugged the power back in and tried to turn it on. It wouldn't turn on. I tried using my other USB power source. Same thing. I then plugged in the power adapter for the Power Pack (straight into the Axim's barrel connector) and it worked fine. Then I tried plugging it into the power pack, and that into the Axim. No luck. But when I don't try to turn the Axim on, the light is solid amber, suggesting it is charging, but I can't turn it on to check.
This really mystified me because at first I thought it was an undervoltaging issue (5V instead of 5.4V) but then remembered that undervoltaging isn't the issue, it's the current, of which the Power Pack provides more than enough (1.8A). I also remembered that the mains power connector pins, which I assume are the ones being used in this, do not allow "backflow" of power. So my question is simple: What the hell is happening, and why?

Edit: I plugged in the Power Pack charger again (which, as I said before, runs the Axim fine, even though I'm a bit worried by it's 1A max output - I'll go get the Axim's own charger in a minute) Anyway, I plugged it in, turned on the Axim, and checked the battery's power, and it had gone down from 19%, last time I had checked, to 18%, after it had been plugged into the power pack with a solid amber light for about 20 minutes. And, strangely enough, the power adapter's rated output is also 5V. This is starting to make less and less sense. I'll check the Power Pack's actual output voltage now, but as I experienced the same exact problem with another power source, I don't think it will make much of a difference...

Edit II: OK, got the voltages. They are as follows: 5.55V - Dell power adapter. 5.28V - Socket Power Adapter. 5.01V - Mobile Power Pack. 4.98V - Other USB power source.

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37.67258% - Major Geek (15 Jan 07)


Thanks JMJ!

ksong12

Wow. That is strange indeed. Obviously something is wrong with the power pack, or the connection.

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Graham2456

I don't think you have a problem. The terminal voltages you are measuring will be influenced by the current requirements of the Axim and the amount of current being drawn which will be fairly high if your battery is discharged. The big variable is the max. current that can be supplied from your various power sources. They will all eventually charge the battery but may not be able to provide surplus current to power the Ax. as well.
In other words the voltage measurements are meaningless unless you consider the current as well.
As I said before I think you're fine.