Palm IIIXE Eats Batteries

[Isildur's Bane]

I thought I would post this because my ancient Palm IIIXE is driving
me nuts. I've tried regular batts, NiMH batts, and even rechargable
alkalines. They all last *1* friggin day before needing a recharge. I
can't detect a great amount of current using my DMM ammeter. But I
know it's draining somehow. I don't use the damn thing much. 5 minutes
per day. What the hell is wrong with it???

IB

 

[Jerry G.]

How many milliamps is it pulling, when you take the measurement?

Take the reading when it is turned on, and take another when it is turned
on.

If you are using "AA" type NiMH batteries, the should be good for at least
500 to 800 mA/Hr, depending on the type. From there you should be able to
work out the time that it should be workable.

If the batteries are wearing out too fast for the current draw, it is
possible that the batteries you have are not properly holding their charge.
I generally see this with chargeable batteries after they are more than 2 to
3 years old. If you recently bought them, maybe one or more of the batteries
are defective.

--

Jerry G.
==========================


I thought I would post this because my ancient Palm IIIXE is driving
me nuts. I've tried regular batts, NiMH batts, and even rechargable
alkalines. They all last *1* friggin day before needing a recharge. I
can't detect a great amount of current using my DMM ammeter. But I
know it's draining somehow. I don't use the damn thing much. 5 minutes
per day. What the hell is wrong with it???

IB

 

[Michael]

This is a known problem, and Palm used to exchange units that did it, no
questions asked. Most likely, the backup capacitor (one of those
high-capacity "supercaps") is leaky.

Also, be aware that Palms turn themselves on for a few moments once per
minute to refresh data in some way. You don't see it happening, but it
does. I suppose some software issue could be keeping it on, thus
draining the battery, but most likely it's leakage. Try measuring the
current drawn in the off state. It should be VERY low (I'd guess tens or
hundreds of microamps), except for that momentary turn on every minute.
If you're seeing a mil or two, or more, there's your answer: leakage.
Also, try simply removing the supercap from the board and seeing if that
makes it go away.

Michael

 

[Alex Bird]

If you are using "AA" type NiMH batteries, the should be good for at least
500 to 800 mA/Hr, depending on the type.

The new ones are available in something like 2300 mAh. The oldest
NiMH I have (about 5 years) are 1300 mAh.

Alex

 

[jakdedert]

The new ones are available in something like 2300 mAh. The oldest
NiMH I have (about 5 years) are 1300 mAh.

Parts--including an entire motherboard--might still be available from
gethightech.com. If so, they will probably be cheap....

jak

 

[Martin Schönegg]

| > If you are using "AA" type NiMH batteries,

IMHO the IIIxe uses AAA Type cells and for using it with NiMH you have
to load Battery Hack first.

MArtin

 

[Isildur's Bane]

This is a known problem, and Palm used to exchange units that did it, no
questions asked. Most likely, the backup capacitor (one of those
high-capacity "supercaps") is leaky.

Also, be aware that Palms turn themselves on for a few moments once per
minute to refresh data in some way. You don't see it happening, but it
does. I suppose some software issue could be keeping it on, thus
draining the battery, but most likely it's leakage. Try measuring the
current drawn in the off state. It should be VERY low (I'd guess tens or
hundreds of microamps), except for that momentary turn on every minute.
If you're seeing a mil or two, or more, there's your answer: leakage.
Also, try simply removing the supercap from the board and seeing if that
makes it go away.

Michael

Thanks for the information. I'll have to try removing the "supercap"
and see if there is any difference. I don't care about losing data -
it's all backed up.

-IB

 

[~]

if you have the backlight enabled on the display the backlights drain
batteries that is why digital photographers will stock up on batteries
for their cameras.