hoffmrj

Thanks for the recommendation on the Pelican PSP automobile adapter. I bought one at WalMart last night and connected to my Axim X50V. The display goes to full bright and no flickering. I use my Axim and a Delorme bluetooth Logger GPS for a low cost mapping and routing system.

I built a portable external battery pack using:
8 NiMH rechargeable AA batteries
Radio Shack 8-cell battery holder with 9 volt connector
Radio Shack 276-1770 Voltage Regulator (+ 5 volt output)
Radio Shack 274-1532 DC Power Plug (SIZE H)
Radio Shack 9 volt battery pigtail
Small metal plate for a heat sink

I built a cable that takes the ~ 12 volts from the battery pack, takes it through the voltage regulator to drop the voltage to +5 vdc, and then terminates in the H connector that plugs into the Dell power connector. However, with the Pelican cable, I am thinking of putting an cigarette lighter connector on the battery pack and eliminating my homemade cable.

The Axim uses the battery pack as a charging device, so it will charge while connected. It did not work well, letting the Axim discharge and then connect to the battery pack, probably because the voltage regulator is limited to 1 amp. The Axim would not turn on again until I had let it charge for about 30 minutes. With a fully charged Axim and battery pack, the system operated for about 5-1/2 hours continuous, as a GPS display. The voltage regulator gets hot so you need to attach it to something to dissipate heat. I used a 1" x 2" aluminum plate. The green power button will stay green until the external pack is below ~5 volts. Then it turns red. At that point, I disconnect the external pack so it does not try to discharge the Axim. In an emergency, you can connect 9 volt batteries to the cable, one at a time and you get about 20 minutes out of each one.

The Delorme Bluetooth Logger GPS uses the same H connector for charging, so the battery pack and cable can be used with it also.

hoffmrj

Thanks for the recommendation on the Pelican PSP automobile adapter. I bought one at WalMart last night and connected to my Axim X50V. The display goes to full bright and no flickering. I use my Axim and a Delorme bluetooth Logger GPS for a low cost mapping and routing system.

I built a portable external battery pack using:
8 NiMH rechargeable AA batteries
Radio Shack 8-cell battery holder with 9 volt connector
Radio Shack 276-1770 Voltage Regulator (+ 5 volt output)
Radio Shack 274-1532 DC Power Plug (SIZE H)
Radio Shack 9 volt battery pigtail
Small metal plate for a heat sink

I built a cable that takes the ~ 12 volts from the battery pack, takes it through the voltage regulator to drop the voltage to +5 vdc, and then terminates in the H connector that plugs into the Dell power connector. However, with the Pelican cable, I am thinking of putting an cigarette lighter connector on the battery pack and eliminating my homemade cable.

The Axim uses the battery pack as a charging device, so it will charge while connected. It did not work well, letting the Axim discharge and then connect to the battery pack, probably because the voltage regulator is limited to 1 amp. The Axim would not turn on again until I had let it charge for about 30 minutes. With a fully charged Axim and battery pack, the system operated for about 5-1/2 hours continuous, as a GPS display. The voltage regulator gets hot so you need to attach it to something to dissipate heat. I used a 1" x 2" aluminum plate. The green power button will stay green until the external pack is below ~5 volts. Then it turns red. At that point, I disconnect the external pack so it does not try to discharge the Axim. In an emergency, you can connect 9 volt batteries to the cable, one at a time and you get about 20 minutes out of each one.

The Delorme Bluetooth Logger GPS uses the same H connector for charging, so the battery pack and cable can be used with it also.

keithmdw

Are there ANY cables out there that will let me charge the X51v via USB AND use it at the same time?

This will NOT be plugged into a USB port on a PC but instead into a USB car cigarette adaptor or a USB mains adaptor.

I am trying to cut down on the cables I carry when travelling and hope to to everything via universal USB adaptors so I carry only 1 car and mains adaptor and USB leads for my devices.

hoffmrj

Originally Posted by keithmdw

Are there ANY cables out there that will let me charge the X51v via USB AND use it at the same time? This will NOT be plugged into a USB port on a PC but instead into a USB car cigarette adaptor or a USB mains adaptor. I am trying to cut down on the cables I carry when travelling and hope to to everything via universal USB adaptors so I carry only 1 car and mains adaptor and USB leads for my devices.

Looks like the Pelican Sony PSP Car Charger will fit the bill. For $6.33 (WalMart) you get a cigarette lighter adapter with USB connector, plus a cable with USB on one end and H connector on the other. THe H connector plugs into the AXIM power adapter. I tested it yesterday, using it as a GPS with Bluetooth active, and it charged while using it (power light was on red when first turned on, and turned to green after about 1 hours' use). Plus the display was on full bright. My old cable could not supply enough current and after about 4 hours of use my AXIM battery had run down. The current available is a function of the lighter adapter, not the cable, as that is where the voltage regulator is. I am building a USB breakout box so will give some current usage specs in a day or two.

If you just want a cable and you are connecting to an existing 5 to 5.5 volt source with USB connectors (with at least 800 ma current capability), buy an USB extension cable, cut the male connector off and attach a Radio Shack 274-1532 DC Power Plug to pins 1 (center) and 4 (outer). But you will be hard pressed to build it for much under $6.33.

coopville

I just bought the Pelican PSP (PL-6003) and didn't have very good luck. I have an X51v with a cf gps. With a 100% battery charge, I plugged in and the axim showed it was charging but the % kept ticking down until about 80%, then it just showed no charging whatsoever. I also got screen flicker as well. Many have said they are able to use the Pelican without problem. Not sure why I'm not enjoying the same success. Anyway, the belkin 3 into 1 charger is on order. It puts out 5.4v and 2 amps or so it's been said. I should find out in a few days...

Coop

bill_n_opus

Originally Posted by coopville

I just bought the Pelican PSP (PL-6003) and didn't have very good luck. I have an X51v with a cf gps. With a 100% battery charge, I plugged in and the axim showed it was charging but the % kept ticking down until about 80%, then it just showed no charging whatsoever. I also got screen flicker as well. Many have said they are able to use the Pelican without problem. Not sure why I'm not enjoying the same success. Anyway, the belkin 3 into 1 charger is on order. It puts out 5.4v and 2 amps or so it's been said. I should find out in a few days... Coop

I don't mean to be a party pooper ... but many of us did not have success with the Pelican product as like you. The general concensus as I remembered was that it was a product to stay away from unless you wanted to gamble. It certainly has a nice form factor to it though.

keithmdw

Originally Posted by coopville

I just bought the Pelican PSP (PL-6003) and didn't have very good luck. I have an X51v with a cf gps. With a 100% battery charge, I plugged in and the axim showed it was charging but the % kept ticking down until about 80%, then it just showed no charging whatsoever. I also got screen flicker as well. Many have said they are able to use the Pelican without problem. Not sure why I'm not enjoying the same success. Anyway, the belkin 3 into 1 charger is on order. It puts out 5.4v and 2 amps or so it's been said. I should find out in a few days... Coop

Please post back your results of the Belkin as I am certianly interested if it does the job.

hoffmrj

Originally Posted by keithmdw

Please post back your results of the Belkin as I am certianly interested if it does the job.

There must be different builds of the Pelican PSP adapter as noted earlier in the post. Apparently I got one of the good ones. Connected to my computer USB port, my Axim with partially charged battery was pulling about 500 mA. I turned on both the bluetooth and wireless, and the screen began to flicker as I hit about 640 mA. That must have been the limit of my computer USB port. As soon as the screen dimmed, current draw fell and the screen went bright again, only to be repeated. When I went to the car and connected through the Pelican adapter, I initially was drawing 850 mA, again with partially charged AXIM battery, bluetooth and wireless on. The current draw slowly dropped to about 750 mA. I had no flickering of the screen during this test. The Pelican produces 5.4 volts with or without the Axim load. The voltage regulator internal to the Pelican is similar in size and appearance (neither good reference points) to the Radio Shack voltage regulator I installed in the battery pack mentioned above. That regulator is capable of 1000 mA. The other build of the Pelican must use a different voltage regulator with less current capability or lower voltage output. They may have built it to more closely match a computer USB output of 500 mA. The X51 probably has a higher current draw than my X50 also.

coopville

I got a hold of the belkin car charger. Actually I got a hold of both the car and wall charger. Part #F8D0004 and F8D0005. Both show 5.4v and 2.0a. I have tried both in the car and both are able to charge the battery with the cf gps and even wifi running. I started at 72% capacity. No screen flicker either. Check out the belkin website. Promotional code 12345 gets you 40% off. F8D0005 shows out of stock but if you call them, they can ship you one. Not sure why it shows out of stock. As I use them more, I will update.:approve:

Coop

coopville

Both working well. hooked one up to the motorcycle and the other to the car. started with 29% charge and was able to fully charge in about 45 minutes. no screen flicker.

coop

willis

I've read all the threads on battery extenders, actually built one with 4 AA and it doesn't charge my Axim (even though the red charge light is on there is no effect with main at 25 60 or 85% charged (it actually seemed to drag down the % when I plugged it in at 85%). Heck it even looks like it's a drain on the thing sometimes. What I'd realy like is a small battery power storage brick that I can plug my ipod, axim x51v, or motorola razr into as power needs warrant. Ideally it would use tips as opposed to having to carry every device's usb cable (which would be packed in the suitcase for more regular charging in hotels). This shouldn't be that expensive, just gotta figure a way to get the axim charge up to 5.4 v instead of 5v. Otherwise, with this much kit, I might has well have a laptop. Tell me there's a doable solution, even DIY that won't cost me $$$. Thanks.

bill_n_opus

Originally Posted by willis

I've read all the threads on battery extenders, actually built one with 4 AA and it doesn't charge my Axim (even though the red charge light is on there is no effect with main at 25 60 or 85% charged (it actually seemed to drag down the % when I plugged it in at 85%). Heck it even looks like it's a drain on the thing sometimes. What I'd realy like is a small battery power storage brick that I can plug my ipod, axim x51v, or motorola razr into as power needs warrant. Ideally it would use tips as opposed to having to carry every device's usb cable (which would be packed in the suitcase for more regular charging in hotels). This shouldn't be that expensive, just gotta figure a way to get the axim charge up to 5.4 v instead of 5v. Otherwise, with this much kit, I might has well have a laptop. Tell me there's a doable solution, even DIY that won't cost me $$$. Thanks.

The battery extenders will work ... but there are some variables involved. The main ones being:

- use fresh NiMh batteries. NiMh batteries discharge so much per day and after 2 weeks you would not get much charge from even 2500mAhx4 in an extender.
- use good quality high capacity NiMh batteries (a biggie)
- try to use an extender before the OEM 1100 mAh battery gets too low in charge otherwise the amp draw may be too great for your extender to handle.
- the 1100mAh battery is easier to charge than the 2200mAh battery due to particular chemistry characteristics - what i've read is that basically there's a higher threshold you must adhere to if you want to charge the 2200mAh from an extender. Higher internal resistance? I can't remember.

If you want to DIY and want more power headroom then check out PocketBrain's thread which includes his own homemade extender.

Or, if you've got some money kicking around then definitely check out the Tekkeon products. Newegg has the 3300 mypowerall for ~ 90 bucks. Tons of adapter tips, will power almost all your portable products. You can also check out the Socket ... but it's a bit more expensive and has less rated power.

There are also other products out there ... but these two look the nicest to me for the dollar.

Lumsdoni

I found a replacement / extra cradle on ebay that has a seperate power supply that charges from mains and syncs via USB at the same time and it was only £10!

Try http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DELL-X50-50V-5...QQcmdZViewItem

mathim

Originally Posted by fishfuzz

Regardless of what battery level that I've had (and it's been as high as 100% to as low as 24%), I've been able to both sync & charge with the items listed above. So it is important to get qualitative information (ie a list of what works, and what doesn't). Would you rather I start my own thread or use the existing discussion?

I would very much appreciate seeing such a list. In my case all the cables (one by pdadomain.com, the other did not have a name of the manufacturer on it but was made in China) sinced but did not charge, even when the pda was turned off. The light was on though. I tried different USB ports of two laptops and several desktops, with the same effect.

BadHabit

I would like to buy Pelican PSP Car charger in UK, any link please?
Thanks